Managing stateful objects (like database connections, caches, or GUI widgets) and avoiding R’s usual copy-on-modify behavior.
The first step in strategic selection is understanding the fundamental divide in R’s approach to objects:
S3 is R’s original, informal OOP system. It is essentially a list with a "class" attribute. Advanced Object-Oriented Programming in R: Stat...
Strict type checking; multiple dispatch (methods can choose logic based on multiple arguments). Cons: High "ceremony" and steep learning curve. 3. R6: The Modern Powerhouse
R6 (via the R6 package ) provides "classical" OOP similar to Java or C++. Strict type checking; multiple dispatch (methods can choose
Encapsulation (private vs. public fields); reference semantics (modify objects in-place); method chaining.
Methods belong to generic functions , not the objects themselves. When you call plot(x) , R looks at the class of x and decides which plot method to run. R6: The Modern Powerhouse R6 (via the R6
No formal validation; it relies on naming conventions (e.g., generic.class ). 2. S4: The Rigorous Contract