checkpoint vs packrat

[Paolo Cavatore]

What are the main differences (strengths and weaknesses) between checkpoint and other reproducibility packages like packrat?

[Chris Mosetick]

Hi Paolo,

checkpoint is a more comprehensive package from a reproduction standpoint. This is because it works in tandem with a server side solution, the checkpoint-server. Most of the burden is on the checkpoint-server, not the end user. Packrat does not have a concept of client or server, and a user could still find themselves in "dependency hell". Packrat requires a user to rsync, scp, or some how get your Packrat file and code to another user. That can be a cumbersome and tedious process.

With checkpoint package, all you need to reference in your code is the snapshot date, and then you can commit your R code to a public or private repository, such as github.com. Then all another user has to do is pull your R code down, run it, and they will be using the same packages as you, because they are using the same snapshot date.

In short, the checkpoint-server brings order to the world of R packages. It knows exactly how things looked at a given point in time, and everyone sees the same stuff, therefore everyone is on the same playing field.

For more information please review this page:

http://projects.revolutionanalytics.com/documents/rrt/rrtpkgs/

Chris Mosetick

Revolution Analytics

On Wednesday, November 12, 2014 2:30:39 PM UTC-8, Paolo Cavatore wrote:

What are the main differences (strengths and weaknesses) between checkpoint and other reproducibility packages like packrat?

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[David Smith]

One other thing I'll add is that checkpoint insists that you use a set of package versions that all existed on the same date (in the sameCRAN snapshot). We do this to keep things simple for the user, and also because CRAN tests all packages in concert as they exist at a specific point in time.

That said, if you do find yourself needing to mix-and-match packages versions that existed on *different* dates, you'll need to use packrat for that. Packrat also supports packages not on CRAN (e.g. on GitHub) and checkpoint doesn't support those (although we have some ideas for the future).

Cheers,
# David

-- 

David M Smith <da...@revolutionanalytics.com>
Chief Community Officer, Revolution Analytics  http://blog.revolutionanalytics.com
Tel: +1 (650) 646-9523 (Chicago IL, USA)

Twitter: @revodavid

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