data.table: 100 Tips and Strategies for Mastering Large Datasets in R

The data.table package in R is known for its efficiency in handling large datasets. Here are 100 tips for working with data.table:

Photo by Pawel Czerwinski on Unsplash

1. Basics:

1. Install data.table with install.packages("data.table").
2. Load data.table with library(data.table).

2. Creating a Data Table:

1. Create a data table using data.table() or convert a data frame with as.data.table().
2. Set keys for sorting and indexing with setkey().

3. Data Manipulation:

1. Perform fast data manipulation with := for in-place modification.
2. Use the by parameter for grouping operations.

4. Joining:

1. Perform fast joins with data.table syntax (DT[i, j]).
2. Use on for non-equi joins.

5. Subset Rows:

1. Subset rows with conditions using the i argument.
2. Combine conditions with logical operators (&, |).

6. Subset Columns:

1. Subset columns using the j argument.
2. Use column names directly for concise…