Docker Overview

This was intended langauge for the course software page!

Overview

This course is built primarily around a trio of software applications - the programming language R, the graphical user interface for R called RStudio, and GitHub Desktop. As I noted on the course onboarding page, there are two choices for accessing software and two choices for installing software. Please read through the course onboarding page page carefully and make the decisions you think are best for you. Feel free to shoot me a message on Slack or via email if you have questions about which approach is best.

Additionally, all students regardless of their installation choices for R and RStudio will need to make sure their own computer or lab desktop has GitHub Desktop installed. Lab computers will not have this pre-installed for you.

Coursework with Docker

Using Docker is the easiest, most straightforward way to access R and RStudio for this class. Using Docker allows you to install and access R and RStudio as well as all of the required packages with a single, streamlined insallation process.

Installing Docker

If you decide to use Docker’s virtual installation, there are a couple of steps you will have to complete if you are using your own computer. If you are using a lab computer, you can skip the first two installation steps but will still need to complete step 3.

  1. You will need to download and install the appropriate version Docker Community Edition for your operating system.

  2. The easiest way to use Docker is with its Docker’s graphical user interface Kitematic. Download the latest version from Kitematic’s GitHub page.

  3. Once Kitematic is installed, make sure Docker is running before you open Kitematic. Skip the log-in process if you are prompted to do so. Search for the slu-soc-stats image in the search bar and click “Create” when you have found it.

Using Docker for Coursework

Additional details about using Docker with Kitematic (recommended) and, alteratively, using the command line (a more advanced technique) can be found at the following links:

Using Docker with Kitematic Using Docker with the Command Line

Coursework with Local Installations of R

If you decide to manage your own local installation of R this semester, which is the more advanced way to set-up the course software, you’ll need to download both of the applications we’re using, R and RStudio, install them, and then install the relevant packages.