Lists and Data Frames
Learn about lists and data frames, and how to structure mixed types of data effectively.
Lists and Data Frames is a free R Academy lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 3 of 3. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the R Academy learning path, one of 3 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.
1
Introduction to Lists and Data Frames
Lists and data frames are powerful data structures in R. They allow you to store different types of data in an organized manner.
2
What is a List?
A list is a flexible data structure that can store different types of elements, such as numbers, characters, and even other lists.
my_list <- list(name = 'Alice', age = 25, scores = c(90, 85, 88))3
Accessing List Elements
You can access elements in a list using double brackets [[ ]] or the $ operator.
my_list[['name']]
my_list$age4
What is a Data Frame?
A data frame is like a table or spreadsheet. It stores data in a structured format with rows and columns.
df <- data.frame(Name = c('Alice', 'Bob'), Age = c(25, 30), Score = c(90, 85))5
Viewing Data Frames
You can inspect a data frame using:
head(df)
summary(df)6
Accessing Data Frame Columns
Columns in a data frame can be accessed using the $ operator.
df$Age7
Filtering Data Frames
You can filter rows in a data frame based on conditions.
df[df$Score > 85, ]8
9
Modifying Data Frames
You can add new columns to a data frame dynamically.
df$Passed <- df$Score >= 8510
Summary
In this lesson, you learned:
- How to create and access lists.
- How to create and manipulate data frames.
- How to filter and modify data in a data frame.
Frequently asked questions
Is the “Lists and Data Frames” lesson free?
Yes — the full text of “Lists and Data Frames” is free to read here on the web, and the R Academy course includes 3 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the R Academy course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.
What will I learn in “Lists and Data Frames”?
Learn about lists and data frames, and how to structure mixed types of data effectively. You practise R Academy with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.
Do I need any experience to start R Academy?
No prior experience is required. R Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 3 of 3, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.
How long does the “Lists and Data Frames” lesson take?
Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.
Can I write and run code in this R Academy lesson?
Yes. Every R Academy lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.
All lessons in this course
- Understanding Data Types
- Working with Vectors and Matrices
- Lists and Data Frames