Creating a standalone application from an R package involves bundling the code and dependencies into a format that runs without a separate R installation. Here are two common approaches:
R Portable with Installer:
R Portable: This framework provides a lightweight version of R that can be included with your app. Tools like renv can help manage package dependencies within the portable R environment.
Installer: Packages like RInno allow you to create an installer that bundles your R code, the portable R instance, and any additional resources into a single executable file (.exe for Windows). This simplifies deployment as users only need to run the installer.
Electron with R:
Electron: This framework allows building desktop applications using web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You can embed an R process within your Electron app and leverage R functionalities through API calls. This approach offers more flexibility for building user interfaces but has a steeper learning curve.
Here are some additional points to consider:
Complexity: The first approach with portable R is simpler to implement for basic command-line applications. Electron offers a more feature-rich experience but requires knowledge of web development.
Target Platform: Consider if you need the application to run on Windows, macOS, or Linux. R Portable with installers might require platform-specific adjustments, while Electron apps can be built for multiple platforms more easily.
For detailed instructions and code examples, you can search for tutorials on "R portable with installer" or "Electron with R".
Creating a standalone application from an R package involves bundling the code and dependencies into a format that runs without a separate R installation. Here are two common approaches:
R Portable with Installer:
renv
can help manage package dependencies within the portable R environment.RInno
allow you to create an installer that bundles your R code, the portable R instance, and any additional resources into a single executable file (.exe
for Windows). This simplifies deployment as users only need to run the installer.Electron with R:
Here are some additional points to consider:
For detailed instructions and code examples, you can search for tutorials on "R portable with installer" or "Electron with R".