In the context of R Markdown, "knitting" a document refers to the process of converting a markdown file into a different format, such as HTML, PDF, or Word. When you knit an R Markdown document, RStudio will run the R code in the document and then generate the output file in the specified format.
The term "knitting" is used because the process of converting a markdown file into another format is similar to the process of knitting a garment. In both cases, you start with a set of raw materials (markdown text or yarn) and then use a set of instructions (R code or knitting patterns) to create a finished product (an HTML document or a garment).
Knitting R Markdown documents can be a great way to create reproducible reports and presentations. By using R code in your documents, you can ensure that the results of your analysis are always up-to-date. And by using different output formats, you can make your documents accessible to a wider audience.
Benefits of knitting R Markdown documents
- Reproducible reports: When you knit an R Markdown document, RStudio will save the output file in a separate location. This means that you can always go back and reproduce the results of your analysis, even if you change the R code in your document.
- Accessible to a wider audience: R Markdown documents can be exported to a variety of output formats, including HTML, PDF, and Word. This means that your documents can be read by a wider audience, including people who do not have R installed on their computers.
- Easy to collaborate on: R Markdown documents can be easily shared and collaborated on. This is because they are stored as plain text files, which can be opened and edited in any text editor.
