Tech Setup

Installing R and RStudio

You’re strongly encouraged to install R & RStudio on the laptop that you plan to bring to class.

Follow these two steps in the given order. (For those that already have R and RStudio: if your versions are more than 6 months old, they might not be compatible with the course material. You might either update now or on the fly, if necessary.)

  1. Download & install R
    • Go to https://mirror.las.iastate.edu/CRAN/
    • Click the appropriate “Download R for…” link, depending upon your operating system (e.g. Windows, macOS, Linux). Then follow the instructions there to download R.
    • If you are using a Mac: Check to see if you have an Intel or Apple Silicon Processor Chip (Apple logo > About this Mac). This will impact the version you download.
  2. Download & install RStudio
    • Go to https://posit.co/download/rstudio-desktop/.
    • Under Step 2:
      • If the website automatically detects your operating system, there will be a “Download RStudio Desktop For …” button. Click on this to install RStudio.
      • Otherwise, there will be a list of operating systems. Click on the “RSTUDIO-…” link under your operating system to install RStudio.
    • If you are using a Mac: Once you download the dmg file and click on it, drag the RStudio icon to Applications. Then open Finder and click the eject icon next to the RStudio temporary drive under Locations.


Alternatively, if you don’t plan to use RStudio after this course or are having trouble installing the software, you can use Mac’s RStudio server at rstudio.macalester.edu.

Other setup

Change the default file download location for your internet browser

  • Why? Generally by default, internet browsers automatically save all files to the Downloads folder on your computer. This does not encourage good file organization practices. You need to change this option so that your browser asks you where to save each file before downloading it.
  • How? This page has information on how to do this for the most common browsers.





Create a folder for this course

  • Possible folder names DS112, COMP112, STAT112, IntroDS
  • Suggested locations for this folder:
    • If using RStudio desktop: On your Desktop or in your Documents folder. (If you already have a file system set up for your classes, feel free to keep using it.)
    • If using Mac’s RStudio server: In the Home folder that is open by default. (You’ll see the Files pane open on the bottom left.)
  • Within the folder for this course, create 3 subfolders:
    • activities
    • homework
    • project