Vector vs List in R

Question

I am new to R Programming and want to understand the difference between List and Vector Data Types. I know that both of them are linear data types but am not sure where to use List and where to use Vector.

I'd like to know the differences between List and Vector along with some use cases.

Answer 1

You are right in saying that both list and vector are linear data types, but the difference comes in the type of data they store.

A vector stores only homogenous data, while a list stores heterogenous data.

Below is an example to demonstrate that:

Vector:

names<-c("Raj","Amy","Sheldon","Leonerd")

This is a vector which comprises of only character elements.

List:

MixBag<-list(name="Raj",Indian=TRUE,Salary=64283)

Now, we have defined a list comprising of three elements of three different types.

Answer 2

Well, you are right in  saying that both of them are linear data types, but the difference comes in the type of data they store.

A vector stores only homogenous data, while a list stores heterogenous data.

Below is an example to demonstrate that:

Vector:

names<-c("Raj","Amy","Sheldon","Leonerd")

This is a vector which comprises of elements of only one type;

List:

MixBag<-list(name="Raj",Indian=TRUE,Salary=64283)

Now, we have defined a list comprising of three elements, all of which are of different data types.

So, if you want to use a linear homogenous data types then you can go with Vector, but on the other hand if you want to use a linear heterogenous data type then you can use a list.