feedback on exercices - Malika

[MalikaIhle]

https://lmu-osc.github.io/introduction-to-renv/ex_init_snapshot.html

• 'Create an .Rproj in this folder, init-snapshot-exercises.' -> I don't know how to do that. the only way I know is to go to RStudio, create a new project, but because this is already a folder in a RStudio project under version control, I don't know what I'm supposed to do. What I've now done is create a project in that subfolder, not ticking git repo but ticking renv - I'm still weirded out about it.
• '(Optional) Commit your changes to your repository, and push them to GitHub.' because I didn't tick the box when creating a subproject I dont have that option - I'm still confused tbh. I tried again the whole thing with creating a git repo, now it is tracked by both, it crashes my Rstudio...
• (Optional) Commit your changes to your repository, and push them to GitHub. -> I forgot waht we are not supposed to push, the whole renv folder?
• overall, there isn't instructions on how to do these steps. where are the solutions? the screenshots? the video solution?
• The nested folder is making my brain hurt, could there perhaps be three separate gitrepo to create three different projects? or it doesn't make sense? alternatively, I think you'd ahve to create a callout box to explain this artificial situaiton when a folder is not a project, for them to create a subproject etc??

https://lmu-osc.github.io/introduction-to-renv/ex_2.html

• Open the R project i.e. the .Rproj file. -> Open the R project i.e. the restore-exercises.Rproj file
• after running renv::dependencies() I get: Warning message:
  The 'yaml' package is required to parse dependencies within R Markdown files
  Consider installing it with install.packages("yaml").
• What packages do you see listed as direct dependencies, and what project files depend on which dependency? -> I'm not sure what I'm supposed to see
• Note that {rmarkdown} was listed as a dependency from this file, but there is not actually a call to the package in the file. Why do you think this is? -> I dont know. Also RStudio prompts me to install it (and other things) -> what should I do?
• Try to Render the presentation.rmd file.
  What happens? Why did the render fail? -> I'm not sure all know about 'render' ? maybe point them to the quarto workshop? also Rstudio prompts me to install new versions of stuff - should I agree? I did, but then it failed: "Execution halted Unable to locate an installed version of R. Install R from https://cloud.r-project.org/"
• renv::restore() -> I get Error: Error installing package 'Matrix':
  ==================================

ERROR: this R is version 4.3.2, package 'Matrix' requires R >= 4.4.0
install of package 'Matrix' failed [error code 1]

• 5 and 7 What happens? -> I currently have no idea what's goping on and asking me questions without giving me answers is stressing me out
• overall, for it to be fully usable asynchronously, we would need instructions one can follow without an isntructor present. point to what needs to be noticed. ect. could each of these exercises have a solution page with the step by step screen shot with text of what need to be noticed or video and highlight or something? Laos, there is no explanation of what we are trying to do /demonstrate in each steps so I'm executing ot knowing what I'm doing really...

https://lmu-osc.github.io/introduction-to-renv/ex_3.html

• Is the lock file in-sync with the project library? Why not? -> it is for me? "No issues found -- the project is in a consistent state."
• renv::restore() -> The library is already synchronized with the lockfile.
• Open the analysis_doc.qmd file and knit it to generate the analysis document. -> do you mean render?
• Why did the knitting fail? -> Quitting from lines 18-19 [unnamed-chunk-2] (analysis_doc.qmd)
  Error in map_data("world") :
  The package "maps" is required for map_data().
  Calls: .main ... eval_with_user_handlers -> eval -> eval -> map_data -> check_installed
  Execution halted
• ?map_data -> > ?map_data
  No documentation for ‘map_data’ in specified packages and libraries:
  you could try ‘??map_data’

map_data()
Error in map_data() : could not find function "map_data"

I can't continue the exercise at this stage. I think it needs a lot more hand holding, what are we atrying to look at and notice?

(Feedback on the embed and use exercises was moved to issue #7)

[MalikaIhle]

overall I was quite lost with the exercises, having read all the theory carefully yesterday (but admitedly being just out of a 5h meeting...) - I think there needs to be solutions, screenshots, videos, either as a section under the instructions, as a new page, or embeded at each step of the way.

Note that usually our self paced tutorials completely embed theory in the exercices (i.e. hands on focused, with the minimal theory needed to complete the exercises) - I enjoyed reading the theory, but I wonder if students will take the time to read it carefully. Either way, having read it, I'm still completely lost with the exercies and left on my own. I can't imagine students being better of? More and more often (attention deficiency in newer generations?), even when the explanation is intertwined with the commands to type, they skip straight to the commands to type, and then ask questions whose answers are written in front of them...

could there be a solution button for each steps that opens a call out box or something and contains what to notice, how to compelte the step, a video ect?

[NeuroShepherd]

• 'Create an .Rproj in this folder, init-snapshot-exercises.' -> I don't know how to do that. the only way I know is to go to RStudio, create a new project, but because this is already a folder in a RStudio project under version control, I don't know what I'm supposed to do. What I've now done is create a project in that subfolder, not ticking git repo but ticking renv - I'm still weirded out about it.

I'm confused on what is happening here. The earlier instructions on the page indicate that people should fork + clone the exercises repo which does not already have an .Rproj. Neither does the init-snapshot-exercises folder.

Indicating that people should not init with git, however, is good to note.

[NeuroShepherd]

I've rewritten the instructions for all exercises except the embed and use (which are not currently incorporated into the intro to renv tutorial anyway). The updates fix all of the mentioned errors and aim to address all ambiguous points you've raised @MalikaIhle.

I still need to do the following:

1. Provide clear instructions on how to git clone the repository itself.
2. Provide solution videos for the exercises.

Point 1 will be addressed today, most likely. Point 2 will be addressed in the next 1-2 days.