R is a programming language and environment used for statistical computing and graphics. It is widely used by data analysts, statisticians, and researchers to perform data analysis and visualization. R is also an open-source software, which means anyone can use, modify, and distribute it for free.
CRAN stands for Comprehensive R Archive Network. It is a network of servers around the world that store and distribute R packages. R packages are collections of code, data, documentation, and tests that extend the functionality of R. There are more than 18,000 R packages available on CRAN, covering various topics such as machine learning, bioinformatics, spatial analysis, and more. To download R or any R package, you can choose your preferred CRAN mirror, which is a server that hosts a copy of the R files.
