Book Review: Mastering Scientific Computing with R

PACKT marketing guys again contact me to review their new book Mastering Scientific Computing with R.  The book 432 pages (including covers) is consist of 10 chapters which starts from basic R and ends with advanced data management. However, between the basic R and advanced data management chapters were topics on linear and non linear models, nonparametric techniques, linear and matrix algebra, principal component analysis, and structural equation modeling and confirmatory factor analysis

Aside from code samples (even for R beginners) which include additional comments, there is also an online tutorial on Structural Equation Modeling included in the book webpage which make the book content easier to learn.  In addition, the book also extends discussion beyond the methodological aspect of using R in scientific computing by providing technical and practical approach in some of the methodologies (e.g. "choosing the number of components to retain in Principal Component Analysis", "Rasch analysis using linear algebra and a
paired comparisons matrix", "Exploratory factor analysis and reflective
constructs").

Highly recommended book!

Book Review: R Object-oriented Programming

Recently, Packt Publishing publish the book R Object-oriented Programming. The eleven chapter book covers from basic data types in R to a more advanced method such as simulation and writing functions.  Different data types (i.e. integer, character, factor) are discussed in-depth in the book as well as numeric and string operations. The good thing with it is that it walks the reader from simple to complicated topic making it easier to learn the language. There are two chapters dedicated in discussing about S3 and S4 classes which are not commonly found published books about R. The last two chapters of the book are dedicated case studies wherein the reader can apply all the learnings from previous chapter. A very good book for beginners and basic users who want to advance their skill and explore the full potential of R as a programming language. Good book to have!

Book Review: Bioinformatics with R Cookbook

The book BioInformaticswith R Cookbook is a 340 pages book published by PACKT publishing last June. The book is intended for individuals working on the areas of biology and genetics. Most of the techniques and type of analysis (i.e. sequence, protein structure, microarray, etc.) discussed in the book are tailored for practitioners handling genomics data. A typical cookbook style material, the focus of the book is on how to implement the above mentioned techniques using R. The book also tackles procedure on how to connect with genomics databases such as Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology as through the Bioconductor platform.  It also tackles access some cloud base implementation of R. The structure of the discussion is very helpful and easy to follow. The How to Do it, How it works, and There’s more.. sequence of discussion provides readers a good guide and grasp on the techniques that are being discussed.

On the other hand, the book is somehow lacking in the discussion of the basics of R software (i.e. intro to the language and data type). The book assumes that the readers have already acquired these basic know how about the language.

Overall, the book is a good reference material especially for individuals dealing with data on biology and genomics.