14.2 Introducing R6

• R6 classes are not built into base.
  • It is a separate package.
  • You have to install and attach to use.
  • If R6 objects are used in a package, it needs to be specified as a dependency in the DESCRIPTION file.

install.packages("R6")

library(R6)

• R6 classes have two special properties:
  1. Uses an encapsulated OOP paradigm.
     • Methods belong to objects, not generics.
     • They follow the form object$method() for calling fields and methods.
  2. R6 objects are mutable.
     • Modified in place.
     • They follow reference semantics.
• R6 is similar to OOP in other languages.
• However, its use can lead ton non-idiomatic R code.
  • Tradeoffs - follows an OOP paradigm but sacrafice what users are use to.
  • Microsoft365R.