Author: Yuma Sakai (CEO, Bistro Inc.)

 

【Introduction】

In this article, we’ll walk you through how to install R, a programming language known for its powerful data analysis and statistical computing capabilities. We’ll also guide you through installing RStudio, a free and user-friendly interface that makes working with R much easier.

By the end of this tutorial, you’ll have both R and RStudio installed on your computer, and you’ll be ready to start exploring the world of data analysis.

【What is R?】

R is a programming language particularly well-suited for data analysis and statistical computing.

To put it simply: when we want to get a computer to perform a task, we have to give it instructions in a language it understands. That’s what a programming language is.

Languages like HTML, CSS, Python, and Ruby all have different use cases, and R is especially good at analyzing numerical data.

In today’s world, with users accessing websites from multiple devices, the volume and complexity of data have increased—making tools like R more important than ever for analyzing this type of information.

【What is RStudio?】

In this article, we’ll also cover how to install RStudio, a graphical user interface (GUI) that makes R easier to use.

Think of RStudio as a “controller” for R—it’s not required, but it makes working in R more intuitive and productive.

RStudio is free for personal use, although commercial use may require a license. If you’re working in a corporate or organizational setting, be sure to review their licensing terms.

We highly recommend installing RStudio alongside R.

【How to Download R】

R can be downloaded for free from the official CRAN (Comprehensive R Archive Network) website:
https://cran.r-project.org/

You’ll see options for different operating systems: Linux, macOS, and Windows.

For this tutorial, we’ll proceed with Windows:

Click the Windows link.

💡 Note: If you’re using macOS or the version has changed, just click the most recent version listed at the top.

Then click “install R for the first time.”

On the next page, you’ll seea download link like “Download R-4.3.2 for Windows” (as of February 20, 2024). Click it to begin the download.

【How to Install R】

Open the downloaded installer file (e.g., R-4.3.2-win.exe).
Choose your preferred language and click OK.Read the license agreement. If everything looks good, click Next.

Choose an installation folder (default is fine) and click Next.

Leave the components as default and click Next.

When asked about startup options, choose No and click Next.
For the Start Menu folder, ensure that “Do not create a Start Menu folder” is unchecked, then click Next.
In the additional tasks section, uncheck the desktop icon option if you’re using RStudio, but make sure the registry option is checked. Click Next.
The installation will begin.

Once it finishes, R is installed!

【How to Install RStudio】

RStudio is provided by Posit (formerly RStudio, PBC).
https://posit.co/download/rstudio-desktop/

Go to the link above and scroll down to RStudio Desktop.
Click “Download RStudio Desktop for Windows” (or macOS depending on your system).

Once the installer is downloaded, open it.

【RStudioのインストール方法】

Click Next to begin setup.

Choose the install location (default is fine), click Next.

Leave the Start Menu folder as is, then click Install.

After installation completes, click Finish.

【Launching RStudio】

To confirm the installation:

• Open your Start Menu and search for RStudio.
• Click to launch it.
• If the interface opens without errors, you’re all set!

Congratulations — R and RStudio are now installed on your machine. You’re ready to begin analyzing data with the power of R.

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Yuma Sakai is the CEO of Bistro Inc.

After graduating from the Faculty of Science and Technology at Keio University (Department of Physics and Information Engineering), he began his career at global advertising agency McCann Erickson.

There, he worked as a data scientist handling marketing research, CRM data analysis, and the development of Marketing Mix Models (MMM).

He later founded his own data marketing company and now supports major clients including leading telecom firms, banks, tech companies, and global ad agencies.

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