Скачать или смотреть How to Write roxygen2 Documentation without Saving .rd Files?

Discover how to effectively document your R functions using `roxygen2` without generating unnecessary `.rd` files with this simple technique.
---
This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/70034655/ asked by the user 'Jonas Lindeløv' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/1297830/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/70034690/ provided by the user 'Jonas Lindeløv' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/1297830/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

Visit these links for original content and any more details, such as alternate solutions, latest updates/developments on topic, comments, revision history etc. For example, the original title of the Question was: Writing roxygen documentation without saving .rd files?

Also, Content (except music) licensed under CC BY-SA https://meta.stackexchange.com/help/l...
The original Question post is licensed under the 'CC BY-SA 4.0' ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... ) license, and the original Answer post is licensed under the 'CC BY-SA 4.0' ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... ) license.

If anything seems off to you, please feel free to write me at vlogize [AT] gmail [DOT] com.
---
Effective Documentation in R with roxygen2

Understanding how to document your R functions is essential, especially if you are collaborating with other developers. The roxygen2 package offers a convenient way to make your code self-explanatory. However, sometimes, you may find yourself in a situation where you want to keep your internal documentation as neat as possible. This brings us to the challenge: how can you write roxygen2 documentation without creating .rd files?

The Challenge of .rd Files

When using the devtools::document() function in R, it automatically generates .rd files based on your roxygen2 comments. While these files are invaluable for package documentation, you might find that certain internal functions do not need to be included in the package output. This leads to unnecessary clutter and distribution of information that will never be relevant to the end-user.

The Solution: Using the @ noRd Tag

Fortunately, roxygen2 accommodates this need with the @ noRd tag. This handy tag allows you to document your function without creating an .rd file. Here’s how you can implement this solution simply and effectively.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Write Your Function

Create your function normally, just as you would with any standard R function. For example:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

2. Add the @ noRd Tag

In the documentation section (the roxygen comments above your function), include the @ noRd tag. This tag should be added after the other documentation tags, like @ param and @ return.

@ param: Provide descriptions of the function’s parameters.

@ return: Describe what the function returns.

@ noRd: This special tag tells roxygen2 to exclude this function from the .rd files.

3. Run devtools::document()

After adding the @ noRd tag, run the devtools::document() command. The absence of an .rd file for the function documented with @ noRd confirms that everything is working as intended.

Benefits of Using @ noRd

Using the @ noRd tag provides several advantages:

Cleaner Packages: Keep your package lightweight by only including necessary documentation.

Improved Collaboration: Your development team can still refer to internal documentation without unneeded clutter.

Streamlined Workflow: Focus on important details without having to alter your documentation style.

Conclusion

In R programming, keeping your documentation relevant and targeted is crucial for collaboration. The @ noRd tag is a powerful tool when using roxygen2, allowing you to document internal functions without generating .rd files. This helps maintain a clean and efficient package that only includes the documentation that will benefit the end user.

Now you can create effective internal documentation while ensuring your package remains user-friendly and uncluttered!