todd ellis

@adamhsparks Is there a *GOOD* introduction to {targets} that actually makes it immediately appealing? I've tried a few times to pick it up and feel like I'm taking on a new language, adding a lot of learning time I struggle not to feel is wasted.

I've been told my approach to project workflows is very similar to the way {targets} works, just replacing their much better systems with a ton of loops, if statements, and checking of filesizes/dates etc.

I need to pick it up, but that initial approach was tough to get over.

Feb 27, 2025 at 3:02amWeb
Show threadData QuineFeb 27, 2025
@tootstorm @adamhsparks I'm enjoying reading this Carpentries incubator "Introduction to targets" course...but I'm just a sucker for anything using #PalmerPenguins examples
https://carpentries-incubator.github.io/targets-workshop/index.html
Introduction to targets: Summary and Setup

Show threadahistorical immaterialistFeb 27, 2025

@tootstorm @adamhsparks I put a lot of effort converting a project to {targets} just in order to learn it - it was painful, it took forever, it was very confusing, and I'm not sure if I really did it the most efficient way.

But then, 4 months later, I was asked to run the analysis again with some slightly different data. It took like 15 seconds, it was amazing.

Show threaddanwwilson Feb 27, 2025
@jimbob @tootstorm @adamhsparks Everything we do now is a {targets} pipeline. My approach is thinking through where I might want discrete datasets to have available for future action. I then make functions that get me from my raw inputs to the next step.
Show threadDr. Robert M FlightFeb 27, 2025

@tootstorm @adamhsparks I worked out a relatively simple analysis of a lipidomics data set, building it up step by step, from initialization of the project.

https://rmflight.github.io/posts/2022-09-27-creating-an-analysis-using-targets/

And there is @milesmcbain post on the predecessor to `targets`, `drake`, but the whole thing is still very relevant to using a functional / workflow based analysis approach.

https://milesmcbain.xyz/posts/the-drake-post/

Deciphering Life: One Bit at a Time - Creating an Analysis With a targets Workflow

Show threadKristinaRiemerFeb 27, 2025
@tootstorm @LeafyEricScott in my group just yesterday taught a workshop on intro to targets that could be helpful? The recording and slides should be up on this webpage within a week: https://datascience.cct.arizona.edu/events/managing-complicated-research-workflows-r-targets
Managing complicated research workflows in R with {targets}

Data Science Team