str2str-package: Structure to Structure
In str2str: Convert R Objects from One Structure to Another

str2str-package

R Documentation

Structure to Structure

Description

str2str is a package for converting R objects to different structures. It focuses on four primary R objects: (atomic) vectors, matrices, data.frames, and arrays as well as lists of these objects. For example, converting a (atomic) vector to a data.frame (i.e., v2d()) or a list of (atomic) vectors to a matrix (i.e., lv2m(). The current version of the package does not have a function for every convertion (e.g., a2m()), but some additional convertion functions may be included in future versions if I find a use for them. The package was motivated by limitations of the base R as.<str>.<method> suite of functions and the plyr R package **ply(.fun = NULL) suite of functions for converting R objects to different structures. While those functions are often useful, there are times different conversions are desired or different naming schemes are desired. That is what this package offers R users. It also contains various utility functions for working with common R objects. For example, is.colnames and ndim.

Limitations

This packages does NOT handle the nuances of R objects. It is not for comprehensive restructuring of any version of R objects, but rather for restructuring commonly used versions of R objects. For example, the functions are not tested with the raw and complex typeof atomic vectors, list arrays, or data.frames containing non-atomic vector columns (e.g., matrix or list columns). The base R as.<str>.<method> functions allow for comprehensive restructuring of R objects; however, at the cost of less convenient convertions for commonly used versions of R objects. The str2str package seeks to fill that gap in useability.