Python and R for the Modern Data Scientist: The Best of Both Worlds

by Rick J Scavetta, Boyan Angelov

Success in data science depends on the flexible and appropriate use of tools. That includes Python and R, two of the foundational programming languages in the field. This book guides data scientists from the Python and R communities along the path to becoming bilingual. By recognizing the strengths of both languages, you'll discover new ways to accomplish data science tasks and expand your skill set. Authors Rick Scavetta and Boyan Angelov explain the parallel structures of these languages and highlight where each one excels, whether it's their linguistic features or the powers of their open source ecosystems. You'll learn how to use Python and R together in real-world settings and broaden your job opportunities as a bilingual data scientist.

196 pages, Paperback

Published July 27, 2021

Reviews

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking to build deep expertise in either language, this is not the book to choose. However, if you're in the target audience for this book, an experienced useR or Pythonista who is relatively ignorant about the other language, this can be a very helpful introduction. It is a brief book that covers essentials and can save you time and headaches trying to get up and running with your second language. There is an abundance of bad advice and practices that many people adopt out of gate when learning their new language, but this book offers some fair guardrails to begin good habits without the possible frustration that comes from reading a series of conflicting opinions on blogs, articles, etc. In my opinion they do get right the general strengths of each language, and maintain an impartial point of view.

[Systemchalk · Rating 1 out of 5]

Long on opinions and short on well supported arguments. The substance of what a reader is looking for is found in the last two chapters and boils down to recommending a poorly documented package that the authors admit to having some issues to iron out.

The only virtue of the book is that it’s relatively short and so potentially wastes less of your time than a random draw from the library.

[Bas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the arguments are pretty weak.

[Jose Manuel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This could be a great blog post.