Building R on Traditional Hosting Services
As a developer, having the tools you need to build your projects at hand is crucial. For many developers, this means having access to a programming language like R. However, when searching for hosting services that support R, it can be challenging to find affordable options with reliable infrastructure. In this article, we’ll explore traditional web hosting services that offer R on their servers and provide guidance on how to build R from scratch.
Overview of Traditional Web Hosting Services
Traditional web hosting services typically offer shared hosting plans, which are the most cost-effective option for small projects or personal websites. These plans usually come with a range of features such as email hosting, website storage, and bandwidth limits.
Shared hosting plans often rely on open-source operating systems like Linux or Windows Server. In contrast to cloud-based services that use virtualization technology, shared hosting typically uses dedicated servers where multiple clients share the same hardware resources.
Building R from Scratch
R is an open-source programming language and environment for statistical computing and graphics. To build R from scratch, you’ll need to download the source code and follow a series of steps outlined below:
Step 1: Downloading the R Source Code
To start building R, you’ll need to download the source code from the official R website. The download process typically involves choosing your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux) and the package type (base or development).
## Downloading the R Source Code
* Windows: <https://cran.r-project.org/bin/windows/R-<version>.exe>
* macOS: <https://cran.r-project.org/bin/macosx/R-<version>.pkg>
* Linux: <https://cran.r-project.org/src/base/R-<version>.tar.gz>
Step 2: Compiling R
After downloading the source code, you’ll need to compile it using a Unix-based terminal or command prompt. The compilation process typically involves running the ./configure script followed by the make command.
## Compiling R
* Unix/Linux:
```bash
sudo ./configure --prefix=/usr/local/r
sudo make
sudo make install
- Windows: Use a package manager like Cygwin or MinGW to compile R.
### Step 3: Installing Additional Packages
In addition to the base installation of R, you may need to install additional packages depending on your project's requirements. Some common packages include:
* `gfortran` for compilation
* `x11` headers for graphics capabilities
You can use package managers like `apt-get` or `yum` to install these packages.
```markdown
## Installing Additional Packages
* Unix/Linux:
```bash
sudo apt-get install gfortran x11-dev
* macOS (with Homebrew):
```bash
brew install gfortran xcode
## Supported Web Hosting Services for R
Several web hosting services support R on their servers. Here are a few options to consider:
### 1. Dreamhost
Dreamhost is a popular web hosting service that offers affordable plans with access to a private server. This allows users to install and run R from scratch.
```markdown
## Upgrading to a Private Server Plan on Dreamhost
* Cost: Starting at $22/month for the private server plan
* Features:
* Full root access to a Debian server
* Easy installation of R using `sudo apt-get install r-base-dev`
2. Linode
Linode is a cloud hosting service that offers dedicated servers with a range of operating systems, including Ubuntu and Debian. This makes it an ideal choice for users who want to build R from scratch.
## Setting Up R on a Dedicated Server with Linode
* Cost: Starting at $5/month for the smallest server size
* Features:
* Full root access to a dedicated server
* Easy installation of R using `sudo apt-get install r-base-dev`
3. DigitalOcean
DigitalOcean is another cloud hosting service that offers dedicated servers with a range of operating systems, including Ubuntu and Debian. This makes it an ideal choice for users who want to build R from scratch.
## Setting Up R on a Dedicated Server with DigitalOcean
* Cost: Starting at $5/month for the smallest server size
* Features:
* Full root access to a dedicated server
* Easy installation of R using `sudo apt-get install r-base-dev`
4. AWS EC2
AWS EC2 is a cloud hosting service that offers dedicated servers with a range of operating systems, including Ubuntu and Debian. This makes it an ideal choice for users who want to build R from scratch.
## Setting Up R on a Dedicated Server with AWS EC2
* Cost: Starting at $25/month for the smallest server size
* Features:
* Full root access to a dedicated server
* Easy installation of R using `sudo apt-get install r-base-dev`
5. Microsoft Azure VMs
Microsoft Azure VMs is a cloud hosting service that offers dedicated servers with a range of operating systems, including Ubuntu and Debian. This makes it an ideal choice for users who want to build R from scratch.
## Setting Up R on a Dedicated Server with Microsoft Azure VMs
* Cost: Starting at $25/month for the smallest server size
* Features:
* Full root access to a dedicated server
* Easy installation of R using `sudo apt-get install r-base-dev`
6. Google Cloud Platform Compute Engine
Google Cloud Platform Compute Engine is a cloud hosting service that offers dedicated servers with a range of operating systems, including Ubuntu and Debian. This makes it an ideal choice for users who want to build R from scratch.
## Setting Up R on a Dedicated Server with Google Cloud Platform Compute Engine
* Cost: Starting at $25/month for the smallest server size
* Features:
* Full root access to a dedicated server
* Easy installation of R using `sudo apt-get install r-base-dev`
7. HostGator
HostGator is a web hosting service that offers shared hosting plans, VPS plans, and dedicated servers. This makes it an ideal choice for users who want to build R on a traditional server.
## Setting Up R on a Dedicated Server with HostGator
* Cost: Starting at $15/month for the smallest server size
* Features:
* Full root access to a dedicated server
* Easy installation of R using `sudo apt-get install r-base-dev`
8. Bluehost
Bluehost is a web hosting service that offers shared hosting plans, VPS plans, and dedicated servers. This makes it an ideal choice for users who want to build R on a traditional server.
## Setting Up R on a Dedicated Server with Bluehost
* Cost: Starting at $15/month for the smallest server size
* Features:
* Full root access to a dedicated server
* Easy installation of R using `sudo apt-get install r-base-dev`
9. SiteGround
SiteGround is a web hosting service that offers shared hosting plans, VPS plans, and dedicated servers. This makes it an ideal choice for users who want to build R on a traditional server.
## Setting Up R on a Dedicated Server with SiteGround
* Cost: Starting at $15/month for the smallest server size
* Features:
* Full root access to a dedicated server
* Easy installation of R using `sudo apt-get install r-base-dev`
10. Hostinger
Hostinger is a web hosting service that offers shared hosting plans, VPS plans, and dedicated servers. This makes it an ideal choice for users who want to build R on a traditional server.
## Setting Up R on a Dedicated Server with Hostinger
* Cost: Starting at $15/month for the smallest server size
* Features:
* Full root access to a dedicated server
* Easy installation of R using `sudo apt-get install r-base-dev`
Conclusion
Building R on a traditional server or cloud hosting service requires some technical expertise. However, with the right tools and resources, users can easily install and run R on their chosen platform.
In this article, we’ve covered several web hosting services that support R on their servers. Whether you’re looking for a private server plan or a dedicated server, there’s an ideal option for everyone.
We recommend considering the following factors when choosing a web hosting service:
- Cost: How much do you want to pay per month?
- Features: What features are essential for your project?
- Operating System: Which operating system is best suited for your needs?
Ultimately, the choice of web hosting service depends on your specific requirements and preferences. By considering these factors and choosing the right platform, users can build R on a traditional server or cloud hosting service with ease.
References:
- Official R Documentation
- Dreamhost Private Server Plans
- Linode Dedicated Servers
- DigitalOcean Dedicated Servers
- AWS EC2 Dedicated Servers
- Microsoft Azure VMs Dedicated Servers
- Google Cloud Platform Compute Engine Dedicated Servers
- HostGator Shared Hosting Plans
- Bluehost Shared Hosting Plans
- [SiteGround Shared Hosting Plans](https://www.siteground.com/products/shared hosting.htm)
- [Hostinger Shared Hosting Plans](https://www.hostinger.com/en/hosting- plans)
Last modified on 2023-08-07