12-04, 14:30–15:00 (UTC), General Track
The R Development Guide (R Dev Guide) serves as a resource for onboarding new contributors to the R project. Initially drafted in 2021 and then expanded during the Google Season of Docs 2022, the guide has evolved to make contributing more accessible, especially for newcomers. This talk will explore the latest developments in the guide, its impact on the R community, and how it fosters inclusivity within the project by simplifying the contribution process.
The R Development Guide (R Dev Guide) has transformed into an essential resource, designed to simplify the onboarding process for new contributors to the R project. Launched in 2021 with support from the R Foundation and expanded during Google Season of Docs (GSoD) 2022, the guide has undergone many improvements since. These updates have made the contribution process more approachable, addressing the challenges posed by relying solely on official documentation.
This talk will share the current status of the R Dev Guide, discussing the ongoing work to implement further updates in response to community feedback. We'll highlight how the guide has positively impacted the R community, particularly by reducing barriers for new contributors, and by creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment for those engaging with the R project.
The session will cover:
Introduction to the R Development Guide (5 minutes): Overview of the guide’s creation and evolution, from its initial draft to its major updates in GSoD 2022.
Impact on the R Community (5 minutes): How the guide has benefited new contributors, fostering inclusivity and lowering the barriers to entry in the R project.
Current Overall Structure (10 minutes): Review of current structure of the guide.
How to Contribute to the R Dev Guide (5 minutes): How you can contribute to the guide by reviewing or adding content, and helping to further its growth.
Takeaways:
Attendees will gain an understanding of the scope and content of the R Dev Guide, learn how they can contribute to its continuous improvement, and recognise the role the guide plays in fostering an inclusive and supportive R development community.
Audience:
This talk is ideal for R developers, open-source contributors, and anyone interested in supporting the growth of the R project, especially those who may be new to contributing. A basic understanding of R is recommended.
No previous knowledge expected
Saranjeet is a Research Software Engineer at Imperial College London. She is also a Software Sustainability Institute Fellow 2023, has a Masters degree in statistics from the University of Pune, and is a Technical Writer for the R Development Guide. She has been involved with software engineering communities throughout her career and has been selected in open source programs including Google Summer of Code 2020, Code for Science and Society's Digital Infrastructure Incubator 2021, Google Season of Docs 2022, and as a Subject Matter Expert for the Open Science Tools and Resources Module of NASA TOPS. In 2021, she participated in the Open Life Science program (cohort-4), during which she co-founded the Research Software Engineering (RSE) Asia Association. For her work in the RSE community, she was awarded the RSE Impact Award 2022 at the Inaugural Community Awards by the Society of RSE.