9/14/24, 1:39 PM R - Functions
R - Functions
A function is a set of statements organized together to perform a specific task. R has a
large number of in-built functions and the user can create their own functions.
In R, a function is an object so the R interpreter is able to pass control to the function,
along with arguments that may be necessary for the function to accomplish the actions.
The function in turn performs its task and returns control to the interpreter as well as any
result which may be stored in other objects.
Function Definition
An R function is created by using the keyword function. The basic syntax of an R function
definition is as follows −
function_name <- function(arg_1, arg_2, ...) {
Function body
}
Function Components
The different parts of a function are −
Function Name − This is the actual name of the function. It is stored in R
environment as an object with this name.
Arguments − An argument is a placeholder. When a function is invoked, you pass
a value to the argument. Arguments are optional; that is, a function may contain
no arguments. Also arguments can have default values.
Function Body − The function body contains a collection of statements that
defines what the function does.
Return Value − The return value of a function is the last expression in the
function body to be evaluated.
R has many in-built functions which can be directly called in the program without defining
them first. We can also create and use our own functions referred as user defined
functions.
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Built-in Function
Simple examples of in-built functions are seq(), mean(), max(), sum(x) and paste(...)
etc. They are directly called by user written programs. You can refer most widely used R
functions.
# Create a sequence of numbers from 32 to 44.
Live Demo
print(seq(32,44))
# Find mean of numbers from 25 to 82.
print(mean(25:82))
# Find sum of numbers frm 41 to 68.
print(sum(41:68))
When we execute the above code, it produces the following result −
[1] 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44
[1] 53.5
[1] 1526
User-defined Function
We can create user-defined functions in R. They are specific to what a user wants and
once created they can be used like the built-in functions. Below is an example of how a
function is created and used.
# Create a function to print squares of numbers in sequence.
[Link] <- function(a) {
for(i in 1:a) {
b <- i^2
print(b)
}
}
Calling a Function
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# Create a function to print squares of numbers in sequence.
Live Demo
[Link] <- function(a) {
for(i in 1:a) {
b <- i^2
print(b)
}
}
# Call the function [Link] supplying 6 as an argument.
[Link](6)
When we execute the above code, it produces the following result −
[1] 1
[1] 4
[1] 9
[1] 16
[1] 25
[1] 36
Calling a Function without an Argument
# Create a function without an argument.
Live Demo
[Link] <- function() {
for(i in 1:5) {
print(i^2)
}
}
# Call the function without supplying an argument.
[Link]()
When we execute the above code, it produces the following result −
[1] 1
[1] 4
[1] 9
[1] 16
[1] 25
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Calling a Function with Argument Values (by position and by name)
The arguments to a function call can be supplied in the same sequence as defined in the
function or they can be supplied in a different sequence but assigned to the names of the
arguments.
# Create a function with arguments.
Live Demo
[Link] <- function(a,b,c) {
result <- a * b + c
print(result)
}
# Call the function by position of arguments.
[Link](5,3,11)
# Call the function by names of the arguments.
[Link](a = 11, b = 5, c = 3)
When we execute the above code, it produces the following result −
[1] 26
[1] 58
Calling a Function with Default Argument
We can define the value of the arguments in the function definition and call the function
without supplying any argument to get the default result. But we can also call such
functions by supplying new values of the argument and get non default result.
# Create a function with arguments.
Live Demo
[Link] <- function(a = 3, b = 6) {
result <- a * b
print(result)
}
# Call the function without giving any argument.
[Link]()
# Call the function with giving new values of the argument.
[Link](9,5)
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When we execute the above code, it produces the following result −
[1] 18
[1] 45
Lazy Evaluation of Function
Arguments to functions are evaluated lazily, which means so they are evaluated only when
needed by the function body.
# Create a function with arguments.
Live Demo
[Link] <- function(a, b) {
print(a^2)
print(a)
print(b)
}
# Evaluate the function without supplying one of the arguments.
[Link](6)
When we execute the above code, it produces the following result −
[1] 36
[1] 6
Error in print(b) : argument "b" is missing, with no default
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