Update plots during for loop from within Rstudio?

Question

Possible Duplicate:
Plotting during a loop in RStudio

I'm trying to monitor the status of a convergence loop, and I can't seem to get it to update the graph each time it iterates.

Here's some sample code:

print(plot(c(0,1)~c(0,100)))
for(i in seq(100)) {
  Sys.sleep(.1)
  print(points( runif(1)~i ))
}

Note that the graph only updates after everything's been plotted. I need it to update each loop iteration. I thought print would do that, but it's not working.

Update

This is an RStudio-specific problem, as it works properly in base R. Is there a way to force graphing in RStudio each loop iteration?

You shouldn't have to ever print base graphics things to get them to display anyway. — Spacedman, Oct 30 '12 at 16:47
@Spacedman Yeah I guess that's only grid-based graphics that need it. Still, I was hoping it would force RStudio's hand. Clearly not. — Ari B. Friedman, Oct 30 '12 at 16:50
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/8772630/plotting-during-a-loop-in-rstudioI have asked this question before, here are the solutions: — Rguy, Oct 30 '12 at 18:25

Spacedman · Accepted Answer · 2012-10-30T19:04:14.153

7

Start up a separate graphics device with X11() (or win() on windows?) and use that.

Although plots seem to update okay on my RStudio setup. My test is simply:

plot(1:10);for(i in 1:10){points(10-i,i);Sys.sleep(1)}

I see the first set of 10 points, then the next set appear at one second intervals, in the RStudio embedded graphics window.

edited Oct 30 '12 at 19:04

answered Oct 30 '12 at 16:51

Spacedman

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That appears to work...except on RStudio Server, where one cannot launch new Xorg windows. – Ari B. Friedman Oct 30 '12 at 16:54
Well, maybe the RStudio staff on their support site where you cross-posted this will help you! http://support.rstudio.org/help/discussions/problems/3729-graph-does-not-update-until-loop-completion – Spacedman Oct 30 '12 at 16:56
People get their panties in such a knot over cross-posting... – Señor O Oct 30 '12 at 16:59
Yeah I didn't quite think of it as cross-posting, as I forgot it's public rather than just a support request. Sorry. – Ari B. Friedman Oct 30 '12 at 17:17
@user1717913 : "You must be new here." Or, if you prefer, "omg Canter and Siegal" – Carl Witthoft Oct 30 '12 at 17:45
1

Now I don't know where to post my 'it works for me' answer - here, on RStudio help, or in the chat. Or all three. – Spacedman Oct 30 '12 at 19:02
RStudio staff suggest `Sys.sleep(0)` to force an update, which works for me for the first few iterations but not subsequent ones. – Ari B. Friedman Oct 31 '12 at 12:23

Update plots during for loop from within Rstudio?

1 Answers1