Three-Toed Sloth

Writing Multiple Functions (Introduction to Statistical Computing)

Lecture 5: Using multiple functions to solve multiple problems; to sub-divide awkward problems into more tractable ones; to re-use solutions to recurring problems. Value of consistent interfaces for functions working with the same object, or doing similar tasks. Examples: writing prediction and plotting functions for power-law scaling models. Advantages of splitting big problems into smaller ones with their own functions: understanding, modification, design, re-use of work. Trade-off between internal sub-functions and separate functions. Re-writing the plotting function to use the prediction function. Recursion. Example: re-writing the resource allocation code to be more modular and recursive. R for examples.

Introduction to Statistical Computing