Base R
Base R refers to the core programming language and built-in functionality of R, without any additional packages installed. It includes the fundamental syntax, data structures (like vectors, matrices, and data frames), and base functions for data manipulation, statistical analysis, and graphics. This forms the essential foundation upon which the extensive R ecosystem of packages is built.
Developers should learn Base R as it is the prerequisite for effectively using R in data science, statistics, and research applications, enabling tasks like data cleaning, exploratory analysis, and basic modeling. It is essential for understanding R's object-oriented and functional programming paradigms, and for working in environments where package installation is restricted, such as in some corporate or academic settings.