R is an open-source programming language with an integrated suite of software facilities used for statistical computing, data processing, and graphics needs. R supports object-oriented programming along with procedural programming with the use of a command-line interpreter and functions. An R function is a set of R statements organized together for a specific task and can have arguments. An R package is a collection of R functions that enables users to expand R functionality by offering data wrangling, statistical, graphical, and reporting techniques.
R and its ecosystem have seen widespread use in recent years within the pharmaceutical industry for planning and analyzing data in different stages of drug development. With the release of guidance from the R Foundation as well as cross-industry initiatives such as R Validation Hub and Transcelerate regarding using of R in regulated clinical trial environments, there has been an uptick in the number of organizations employing R in clinical trial A&R.