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. This is 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, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app. The R Academy course includes 3 lessons in total.
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 — 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?
Learn R with an AI tutor — free
Write and run real code in your browser, get instant help from a 24/7 AI tutor, and pick up where you left off on the web or in the app.
- Courses
- 43
- Lessons
- 159
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. 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. The R Academy course includes 3 lessons in total.
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, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace. This is lesson 1 of 3.
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.