6.3 Updating and Modifying

Each of the internal packages mentioned is available on the common drive. From time to time functions may need to be added or modified within these packages. When this comes to pass the Data Scientist can open the R project file within the package of interested. There the normal approach for R packages can be applied. Functions can be added and updated.

It is recommended that the new functions within the package are documented and built locally.22 After the package is properly built and passes any tests, the Data Scientist can then use the makefile that has been included in each package by typing make into the terminal. This will document, build the package, create a tarball of the package, build the pkgdown site, and then move the site to the internal website. The Data Scientist can then ask others to update their R packages using the above mentioned methods.


  1. This can be done using the normal devtools approach with CTRL+SHIFT+D to document on Windows and CTRL+SHIFT+B to build the new package.