How can I source an R file from the parent directory via the shell?

Question

I'm able to source an R script from the IDE (Rstudio), but not from a command line call. Is there a way to do this without having to supply the full path?

The file I want to source is in the parent directory.

This works:

source('../myfile.R')  #in a call from Rstudio

However, this doesn't:

>  Rscript filethatsources_myfile.R

Error in file(filename, "r", encoding = encoding) : 
  cannot open the connection
Calls: source -> file
In addition: Warning message:
In file(filename, "r", encoding = encoding) :
  cannot open file '../myfile.R': No such file or directory
Execution halted

This seems like it should be simple, but...

Edit: I'm using GNU bash, version 3.2.53(1)-release (x86_64-apple-darwin13)

So the "parent directory" is probably not what you think it is when running Rscript. — IRTFM, Apr 30 '15 at 21:17
Does it work if you `setwd("~/some/location")` before using `source()`? Perhaps `setwd()` with `chdir=TRUE`? — Alex A., Apr 30 '15 at 21:19
Ah yes, that's it. @BondedDust you are right that directory is wherever the call is from. Alex A., your suggestion solved the problem. Thanks! — Minnow, Apr 30 '15 at 21:23

Alex A. · Accepted Answer · 2015-04-30T21:45:16.250

In R, relative file locations are always relative to the current working directory. You can explicitly set your working directory like so:

setwd("~/some/location")

Once this is set, you can get your source file relative to the current working directory.

source("some_script.R")         # In this directory
source("../another_script.R")   # In the parent directory
source("folder/stuff.R")        # In a child directory

Not sure what your current working directory is? You can check by submitting getwd().

What if your source file is in, for example, the parent directory but references files relative to its location? Use the chdir= option in source:

source("../another_script.R", chdir = TRUE)

This temporarily changes the working directory to the directory containing the source file for the duration of the source evaluation. Once that's done, your working directory is set back to what it was prior to running source.

Dear @Alex A. could you please help with this https://stackoverflow.com/questions/59129562/in-r-shiny-how-to-fix-error-in-sourcing-app-as-nothing-changes-when-clicking-on — John Smith, Dec 01 '19 at 21:35

How can I source an R file from the parent directory via the shell?

1 Answers1