Using targets in an Rstdio Template

[Dpananos]

Help

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Description

I'd like to use targets in an Rstudio template. This would mean running targets::use_targets for a specific directory which us not the present working directory.

renv has the capability I'm looking for. I can initiate an renv in a specified project through the project argument. This will create an renv directory in the path passed through the `project1 argument.

Here is a simplified example of my existing template

# analysis_template.R
statistical_analysis_template <- function(path, ...) {

  dots <- list(...)
  # ensure path exists
  dir.create(path, recursive = TRUE, showWarnings = FALSE)

  # If choose to use renv, init renv in the project
  if(dots$use_renv) {
    renv::init(path)

    # If using targets, install targets to the path
    if(dots$use_targets){
      renv::install('targets', project=path, prompt = FALSE)
    }

  }

  # Finally, instantiate a targets
  if(dots$use_targets){
    ## Here is the problem.  I need to apply use_targets in the path
    # setwd does not work here.
    targets::use_targets(open = FALSE)
  }

}

and my dcf file

# statistical_analysis.dcf
Binding: statistical_analysis_template
Title: Statistical Analysis Template

Parameter: use_targets
Widget: CheckboxInput
Label: Use Targets
Default: On
Position: left

Parameter: use_renv
Widget: CheckboxInput
Label: Use Renv
Default: On
Position: left

[joelnitta]

What about withr::with_dir()?

For example, withr::with_dir(path, targets::use_targets(open = FALSE))

[Dpananos]

That's a good library to know about, thanks