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SPECIFICTION
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R

r-project.org

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Spec score 8.8 #7 of 106 in Statistical Analysis Software

What it is

R is a free software environment for statistical computing, with graphics, statistical tests, regression models, and scripting support. It runs on Windows and macOS, as well as a wide range of UNIX platforms. Its import options cover text, XML, spreadsheet-like files, Excel, SPSS, SAS, and Stata, along with databases, binary files, and image files. Downloads are provided through preferred CRAN mirrors, and the project offers FAQs about installation and licensing. Documentation resources include manuals, journals, books, and certification links; community resources include mailing lists and developer pages. Questions about the software are directed to the Getting Help section. The listed current release is R 4.6.1, named Happy Hop, released June 24, 2026; version 4.5.3 is described as a wrap-up release. R was founded in 1990, and its maker is listed as R, headquartered in Vienna, Austria.

Spec sheet

Deployment
desktopRead 20 Sep 2026 · r-project.org
Free plan
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · r-project.org
Headquarters
Vienna, AustriaRead 23 Sep 2026 · r-project.org
Founded
1990Read 23 Sep 2026 · r-project.org
Community Resources
The site lists mailing lists, contributing, developer pages, and related project links.Read 27 Sep 2026 · r-project.org
Current Version
R version 4.6.1, named Happy Hop, was released on 2026-06-24.Read 27 Sep 2026 · r-project.org
Data import formats
text files, XML, spreadsheet-like files, Excel, SPSS, SAS, Stata, databases, binary files, image filesRead 20 Sep 2026 · r-project.org
Documentation Resources
The site provides documentation, manuals, FAQs, journals, books, and certification links.Read 27 Sep 2026 · r-project.org
Download Source
R downloads are provided through preferred CRAN mirrors.Read 27 Sep 2026 · r-project.org
Foundation Donations
The Kalibera Family Fund accepts donations until the end of 2026.Read 27 Sep 2026 · r-project.org
Foundation Support
Users can support the R Foundation through a renewable supporting-member subscription.Read 27 Sep 2026 · r-project.org
Free Software
R is provided as a free software environment.Read 27 Sep 2026 · r-project.org
Graphics Support
R supports graphics as part of its environment.Read 27 Sep 2026 · r-project.org
Installation Help
FAQs cover how to download and install R.Read 27 Sep 2026 · r-project.org
License Help
FAQs provide information about R license terms.Read 27 Sep 2026 · r-project.org
MacOS Support
R runs on MacOS.Read 27 Sep 2026 · r-project.org
Previous Version
R version 4.5.3, named Reassured Reassurer, was a wrap-up release.Read 27 Sep 2026 · r-project.org
R Conference
The useR! 2026 conference took place in Warsaw from July 7-9.Read 27 Sep 2026 · r-project.org
Regression models
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · r-project.org
Scripting support
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · r-project.org
Social Channels
The R Foundation is present on BlueSky, Mastodon, and LinkedIn.Read 27 Sep 2026 · r-project.org
Statistical Computing
R is designed for statistical computing.Read 27 Sep 2026 · r-project.org
Statistical tests
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · r-project.org
Support Route
Questions about R itself should be directed to the Getting Help section.Read 27 Sep 2026 · r-project.org
Supported Platforms
R runs on UNIX platforms, Windows, and MacOS.Read 27 Sep 2026 · r-project.org
UNIX Coverage
R supports a wide variety of UNIX platforms.Read 27 Sep 2026 · r-project.org
Windows Support
R runs on Windows.Read 27 Sep 2026 · r-project.org

Plans and prices

R Free Free software environment Read 27 Sep 2026 · r-project.org

Every R plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free software environment.
  • Includes statistical tests and regression models.
  • Supports scripting and graphics.
  • Runs on Windows, macOS, and UNIX platforms.
  • Imports data from databases and many file types.

Limits

  • Listed desktop platforms are Windows and macOS.
  • Downloads are provided through CRAN mirrors.

Who it suits

R suits people who need a free environment for statistical computing, graphics, tests, regression, and scripting. Its broad file import support may be useful to users working with varied data sources.

Verdict

R brings statistical computing, graphics, scripting, and broad data import support in a free environment. Its listed platform coverage includes Windows, macOS, and UNIX.

Where Specifiction places it

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