S Programming

Rating:
Summary: Only for software developers programming in S, S-PLUS or R!
Review:

For those seeking an introduction to programming in S, or seeking information on how to use S for statistical applications, this is NOT a good choice as a "first purchase", nor is it intended to be. Instead, choose these authors' other textbook, Modern Applied Statistics with S-Plus.

This book isn't primarily about using S, using S-PLUS (a commercial version of S), nor using R (an Open Source version of S), but rather, it's about showing how to write programming extensions to the base S functions. In fact, for those seeking such guidance, this is the book's great virtue.

It's written by two world-class authorities on the subject of S programming, persons who are generous in their efforts to help others and who can be contacted through the Internet. However, this particular text assumes the reader is already committed to using S, and hence, contains little 'motivational' material. Yet for the audience to whom it's addressed, it's essential, or at least highly recommended, reading.

The latest commercial version of S (S-PLUS 2000 from Mathsoft, Inc.) has a graphical user interface (GUI). A chapter is included in the latter portion of the book on how to program such interfaces.

Also, a chapter is devoted to extending S with compiled code written in C, Fortran, or C++. Since S is an interpreted language, using compiled code can increase the speed of newly created functions. This is highly technical, however, and not for the neophyte.

Potential software developers of vertical-market applications involving S-PLUS, among others, will benefit from purchasing "S Programming" by Venables & Ripley.

Rating:
Summary: Almost vital for those writing their own extensions
Review: As stated in the book's Editorial review, the back cover, and other customer reviews, this book is *not an introductory book*. If you need that, check out Modern Applied Statistics with S-Plus (same authors). However, if you're familiar with an S dialact (R, S-Plus), and are writing your own functions, packages, etc., this book will save you from Great Anguish.

It presents the ideas behind S; the engine under it all. In doing so, it is very good at shifting your thinking from S usage to S programming - thinking "close to the machine". It also walks you past the common traps, pointing out the "gotchas" along the way.

It's not a big book; around 260 pages for a very big subject. It is, however, very clear and far-reaching. I can only think of one other book that puts as much clear information into such a small space; Kernighan and Ritchie's "The C Programming Language".

On the whole, a very useful, very carefully written book.

Rating:
Summary: you may be served better by other books
Review: Much of the text appears as if the authors wanted to put information on paper and get it published, without regard to the readability or clarity of the text. The information in this text is largely good information. I have used a lot of it. However, you can get most of the same information elsewhere without having to "read between the lines" (and without all those damned footnotes!!). For example, a MUCH better and more comprehensive book is Programming with Data: A Guide to the S Language (1998) by Chambers (Springer): Chambers defines terms before using them, illustrates concepts with simple examples before moving to complex examples, and gives overviews of ideas prior to more extensive chapters. All of that is routinely missing in Venables and Ripley (V&R). Thus, even if you buy V&R to learn more about programming in S, it almost cannot be your sole reference, which is unfortunate and misleading given its title.

Rating:
Summary: you may be served better by other books
Review: This text was not well suited as an introductory text. I do not recommend this text unless you have some knowledge of a high level programming language or prior experience with S plus. This text is well suited as an intermediate level text. As its title implies it is inteded for those interested in more advanced programming with the S plus language. It is hard to read and the examples are are not always clear. The authors do provide a nice comparison of how S plus and R differ. For first time users of S plus I would recommend "The Basics of S and S-plus by Krause and Olson.

Rating:
Summary: S Programming (Not as an introductory Text)
Review: This text was not well suited as an introductory text. I do not recommend this text unless you have some knowledge of a high level programming language or prior experience with S plus. This text is well suited as an intermediate level text. As its title implies it is inteded for those interested in more advanced programming with the S plus language. It is hard to read and the examples are are not always clear. The authors do provide a nice comparison of how S plus and R differ. For first time users of S plus I would recommend "The Basics of S and S-plus by Krause and Olson.