Prework

🖥️ 1. Download and Install the Software

Before the workshop, make sure you can open R and RStudio on your computer.

• From FWS Apps-To-Go, install:
  • R 4.4.2 or newer
  • RStudio 2024.09.1 or newer

NoteCheck Your Versions

• In RStudio, go to Help → About RStudio to confirm your version.

• In the R console, type:

  R.version.string

  If your versions are older, please update them.

Once installed, open RStudio to make sure it launches without errors.

---

📂 2. Understanding RStudio Projects (for newer R users)

We will work inside an RStudio Project, which is like a self-contained folder that keeps all your files and code organized.

• An R Project keeps track of your working directory.
• All the files for this workshop will live inside one project folder.
• When you open the project, RStudio automatically sets that folder as your “home base.”

TipWhy Projects Matter

Think of an R Project as a container for your work. Instead of scattering files across your computer, everything you need is in one place.

---

📦 3. Download the Exercise Materials

Open RStudio and run this in the Console:

if (!require("usethis")) install.packages("usethis")
usethis::use_course("https://github.com/USFWS/intro-to-quarto-exercises/archive/refs/heads/main.zip")

NoteWhat Happens Next

• RStudio may prompt you to open the new project folder — click Yes.
• You should now see the RStudio title bar say: intro-to-quarto-exercises-main.
• If not, find the intro-to-quarto-exercises-main folder and double-click the .Rproj file.

---

📚 4. Install R Package Dependencies

With the project open, run:

source("install_packages.R")

WarningThis May Take Time

The first time you install packages, it may take several minutes. Make sure you’re connected to the internet.

---

📝 5. Install TinyTeX (for PDFs)

To render Quarto documents as a PDF, you’ll need LaTeX.

Run:

tinytex::install_tinytex()

TipGood to Know

You only need to install TinyTeX once. If you already have LaTeX, you can skip this step.

---

✅ 6. Check Your Setup

Before the workshop, confirm:

• You can open RStudio without errors.
• You can open the intro-to-quarto-exercises-main project.
• Packages install without errors.
• Quarto works — run:

quarto::quarto_check()

---

🧑‍💻 7. Prework Assignment (Submit Before the Workshop)

Goal: Confirm your setup works end-to-end by rendering a Quarto document.

1. In RStudio (with the intro-to-quarto-exercises-main project open):
   • Go to File → New File → Quarto Document…
   • Choose HTML format and title it “Prework Check”.
2. Replace the starter text with:

# Hello Quarto!

- **Name:** YOUR NAME
- **Fun fact:** FUN FACT ABOUT YOU

```{.r}
#| echo: true
#| message: false
#| warning: false
sessionInfo()
```

3. Click Render to create the HTML output.
4. (Optional) Also render to PDF:
   • In the YAML header, add format: pdf.
   • Render again to produce a PDF.

NoteWhat to Submit

• The rendered HTML file (and PDF if you tried it).
• A screenshot of RStudio showing:
  • The project name intro-to-quarto-exercises-main in the title bar.
  • The rendered output in the Viewer/Preview pane.

TipPass Criteria

• HTML renders successfully (no errors).
• If attempted, PDF renders successfully.
• Screenshot clearly shows the correct project open.