Install Specific Version of R Language (R4.x.x) on a Docker Image Based on Ubuntu

Welcome to this in-depth guide on installing a specific version of R language on a Docker image based on Ubuntu. If you’re reading this, chances are you’re a data enthusiast, statistician, or simply someone who loves working with R. In this article, we’ll take you through a step-by-step process of installing R4.x.x on a Docker image, ensuring you’re up and running with your favorite R version in no time!

Why Install a Specific Version of R?

You might be wondering, “Why bother with a specific version of R when I can just use the latest one?” Well, my friend, there are several reasons why you might want to install a specific version of R:

• Compatibility**: Certain packages or scripts might only work with specific versions of R. By installing a particular version, you can ensure that your projects remain compatible.
• Reproducibility**: When working on a project, it’s essential to maintain consistency across environments. By using a specific version of R, you can ensure that your results are reproducible.
• Stability**: Newer versions of R might introduce changes that break existing code or workflows. By sticking to a specific version, you can avoid potential issues and ensure a stable development environment.

Pre-requisites

Before we dive into the installation process, make sure you have the following:

• Docker installed**: You need to have Docker installed on your system. If you haven’t already, download and install Docker from the official website.
• A basic understanding of Docker**: You should be familiar with basic Docker concepts, such as creating containers and managing images.

Step 1: Create a New Docker Image

In this step, we’ll create a new Docker image based on Ubuntu. This will serve as the foundation for our R installation.

docker pull ubuntu:20.04

This command pulls the Ubuntu 20.04 image from Docker Hub. You can choose a different version of Ubuntu if needed.

Step 2: Create a Dockerfile

A Dockerfile is a text file that contains instructions for building a Docker image. Create a new file named `Dockerfile` in a directory of your choice:

touch Dockerfile

Open the `Dockerfile` in your favorite text editor and add the following lines:

FROM ubuntu:20.04

# Set the working directory to /app
WORKDIR /app

# Install dependencies
RUN apt-get update && apt-get install -y software-properties-common && \
    add-apt-repository 'ppa:marutter/ppa' && \
    apt-get update && apt-get install -y r-base=4.0.4-1marutter1

# Configure R environment
ENV R_VERSION 4.0.4
ENV R_HOME /usr/lib/R
ENV R_LIBS_USER /usr/local/lib/R/site-library

# Expose port 8787 for RStudio
EXPOSE 8787

Let’s break down what this Dockerfile does:

• FROM ubuntu:20.04**: We use the Ubuntu 20.04 image as our base.
• WORKDIR /app**: We set the working directory to `/app`.
• Install dependencies**: We install the `r-base` package, which includes the R language, along with other dependencies required for R to function properly. The `add-apt-repository` command adds the Marutter PPA, which provides the R 4.0.4 package.
• Configure R environment**: We set environment variables for R, including the version, home directory, and library path.
• EXPOSE 8787**: We expose port 8787, which will be used by RStudio (if you choose to install it later).

Step 3: Build the Docker Image

Now that we have our Dockerfile, let’s build the Docker image:

docker build -t my-r-image .

This command builds the Docker image using the instructions in the Dockerfile. The `-t` flag specifies the tag for the image, and the `.` at the end tells Docker to build the image in the current directory.

Step 4: Run the Docker Container

With our image built, let’s run a container from it:

docker run -it --name my-r-container my-r-image /bin/bash

This command starts a new container from the `my-r-image` image and opens a bash shell inside the container. The `-it` flag allows us to interact with the container, and the `–name` flag specifies the name of the container.

Step 5: Verify R Installation

Let’s verify that R 4.0.4 is installed correctly:

R --version

This command should output the version of R installed, which should be 4.0.4.

Step 6: Install RStudio (Optional)

If you want to use RStudio, you can install it using the following command:

apt-get update && apt-get install -y r-studio-server

This command installs RStudio Server, which allows you to access RStudio through a web interface.

Conclusion

And that’s it! You’ve successfully installed R 4.0.4 on a Docker image based on Ubuntu. You can now use this image as a base for your R projects, ensuring consistency and reproducibility across environments.

If you encounter any issues or have questions, feel free to ask in the comments below.

Version	Command
R 4.0.4	apt-get install -y r-base=4.0.4-1marutter1
R 4.1.0	apt-get install -y r-base=4.1.0-1marutter1
R 4.2.0	apt-get install -y r-base=4.2.0-1marutter1

Remember to update the Dockerfile with the correct version of R you want to install. You can find a list of available R versions on the Marutter PPA page.

Bonus: Using R from the Docker Container

If you want to use R from the Docker container, you can do so by running the following command:

docker exec -it my-r-container R

This command opens an R session inside the container. You can then interact with R as you normally would.

I hope this article has been helpful in getting you started with installing a specific version of R on a Docker image based on Ubuntu. Happy coding!

Frequently Asked Question

Are you stuck installing a specific version of R language on a Docker image based on Ubuntu? Worry not! We’ve got you covered. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers to help you navigate this process.