What is R?
Learn the origin of R — built for statistical computing at Bell Labs and released as open source in 1993 — and understand why it became the go-to language for statistics and research.
What is R? is a free R Academy lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 1 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.
Welcome to R
Hey, welcome! 👋 You're about to meet R, the friendly language built for working with data.
This track is tiny
This is our most beginner-friendly, micro-sized track. One tiny step at a time, you'll fly through it. 🚀
Meet Your AI Mentor 🤖
See the purple ✨ AI Mentor button at the bottom of every lesson? That is your personal tutor — free to try, available 24/7 on mobile and web.
Tap it whenever you are stuck and choose what you need:
- 💡 Explain Simply — turn anything confusing into plain words
- 📋 Step by Step — break a problem into clear steps
- 🗣️ Everyday Example — connect it to real life
There is also Mini Quiz, Code Example and Ask — ask it absolutely anything. You are never learning alone. 💜
Learn in Your Own Language 🌍
Prefer to learn in your native language? You can!
Tap the 🌐 translate button at the top-right of the lesson (it is in the top bar on the web too) and pick your language. Every lesson instantly appears in your own language.
Switch back any time — learn the way that feels easiest for you. 🙌
So, what is R?
R is a programming language made for numbers, charts, and data. Think of it as a super-smart calculator.
A tool for data
Where some languages build apps, R shines at one thing: understanding data and turning it into insights.
You just tell it what to do
You type a short instruction, R does the math, and shows you the answer instantly. That's the whole loop.
print(2 + 2)Built by data people
R was created by statisticians, so it speaks "data" naturally. That's why analysts love it. 📊
It's free and open
R is completely free and used everywhere — from universities to giant companies. You're in good company.
You've got the big picture
Nice — you now know what R is! Next up: why data scientists reach for it again and again. 💪
Quick Check
Let's lock it in. What is R best known for?
Frequently asked questions
Is the “What is R?” lesson free?
Yes — the full text of “What is R?” 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 “What is R?”?
Learn the origin of R — built for statistical computing at Bell Labs and released as open source in 1993 — and understand why it became the go-to language for statistics and research. 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 1 of 3, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.
How long does the “What is R?” 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.