Calling function from an r source file in a c# console application using R.NET

Question

I'm creating a console app with C# in which I have to perform some data analysis using R.NET. I already created multiple R functions that I'll be using and I tested them in RStudio and everything works fine. Suppose that my source file has a function called "delete" that take a vector as parameter.

Now I want to import the R source file that contains my functions to my Console app to be able to call these functions directly from there.

I found this code:

using RDotNet;
{ ....
REngine engine = REngine.GetInstance();
engine.Evaluate("source('PATH/file.R");
... }

It doesn't get any error, but I'm not sure if it's working. Now if I want to execute my function "delete", what is the command for that?

The source file is now situated on my desktop, but I want my app to run on any computer, so how can I add my R source file to the VS project to make it portable?

I believe you have to install the following package in your .NET console app - nuget.org/packages/R.NET.Community — Alex
– Alex, Commented Apr 21, 2016 at 11:18
yes i already did. i'm wondering about the command to execute a function in a source file — Motoko
– Motoko, Commented Apr 21, 2016 at 13:30

Jwoody30 · Accepted Answer · 2017-02-14 20:02:37Z

0

I ran into this issue and after hours of searching I realized that C# does not like the path given for the R file because it used the slashes as escape keys.

The following path worked for me once I added 4 backslashes in front of each directory:

using RDotNet;
using System;

namespace SimpleScriptingTest
{
    class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {            
            REngine.SetEnvironmentVariables();

            REngine engine = REngine.GetInstance();

            engine.Initialize();
            var path = "C:\\\\Program Files\\\\R\\\\RWDir\\\\HelloWorldTest.R";
            engine.Evaluate("source('" + path + "')");
            Console.ReadLine();
        }

    }
}

answered Feb 14, 2017 at 20:02

Jwoody30

191 bronze badge

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

1 Comment

StriplingWarrior Over a year ago

You can also use the "verbatim" string literal syntax to avoid having C# treat backslashes as escape characters: engine.Evaluate(@"source('C:\\Program Files\\...')");.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Calling function from an r source file in a c# console application using R.NET

1 Answer 1

1 Comment

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

1 Comment

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related