```{r setup, include=FALSE}
knitr::opts_chunk$set(echo = FALSE)
```

## Goals for today

* Identify the software requirements for the course

> - Verify that you have the software installed and working


## R Software | An environment for statistical computing and graphics

> - It's FREE!

> - Enormous developer & support communities

> - [Learn more here](https://www.r-project.org/about.html)


## R Software

* Most of R's current capabilities come from *packages*

> - We will use several different packages for fitting statistical models (eg, `nlme`, `lme4`)


## RStudio | An integrated development environment (IDE) for R


## &nbsp; {data-background=RStudio_desktop.png data-background-size=cover}


## RStudio highlights

* Syntax highlighting, code completion, smart indentation  
* Easily manage multiple working directories using projects  
* Interactive debugger to diagnose and fix errors quickly  
* Extensive package development tools  
* Built-in tools & GUIs for git & Markdown


## RStudio benefits

[Cheat sheets](https://rstudio.com/resources/cheatsheets/)

[Webinars, links, etc](https://resources.rstudio.com/)


## &nbsp; {data-background=RStudio_cheatsheet.png data-background-size=cover}


## R Markdown

Notebook interface to weave together text, equations, and code into nicely formatted output

Allows you to create and document fully reproducible workflows

Ideal framework for homework assignments!


## R Markdown

Supports dozens of static and dynamic output formats

* HTML  
* PDF  
* MS Word  
* HTML5 slides  
* Books  
* Shiny apps  
* Scientific articles  
* websites

[Gallery here](https://rmarkdown.rstudio.com/gallery.html)


## GitHub | A website & cloud-based service that helps developers

* Store & manage their code

> - Track & control changes to their code

> - Communicate with other members


## GitHub

Its central focus is version control via [**git**](https://git-scm.com/) 

but that's not our focus in this course


## &nbsp; {data-background=GitHub_repo.png data-background-size=cover}


## {.flexbox .vcenter .bigger}


<font size="10">
[**Intro to GitHub issues**](https://github.com/QERM514/assistance)
</font>
