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I keep noticing this message when I load the rgdal package:

"Please note that rgdal will be retired by the end of 2023, plan transition to sf/stars/terra functions using GDAL and PROJ at your earliest convenience."

I don't know what this means. Does this mean that there are some sf/stars/terra functions that use rgdal and others don't? Or does this mean that sf/stars/terra don't use rgdal at all, and that I should use these packages instead of other packages that do rely on rgdal?

What are common packages that do rely on rgdal that will be affected?

canderson156
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  • As a complement to @Jindra Lacko's answer, I confirm your last hypothesis: sf/stars/terra don't use rgdal at all, and you should use these packages instead of other packages that do rely on rgdal. If you wish, you can find more information through these two links : https://rgdal.r-forge.r-project.org/articles/CRS_projections_transformations.html and https://r-spatial.org/r/2020/03/17/wkt.html – lovalery Oct 15 '21 at 20:10
  • @lovalery, I think you should post that as an answer ... – Ben Bolker Oct 15 '21 at 20:45
  • Thanks for the advice @Ben Bolker. I've just posted my comment as an answer. Cheers – lovalery Oct 15 '21 at 20:51

2 Answers2

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As a complement to @Jindra Lacko's answer, I confirm your last hypothesis: sf/stars/terra don't use rgdal at all, and you should use these packages instead of other packages that do rely on rgdal. If you wish, you can find more information through these two links :

lovalery
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  • Since the edit queue's full, it seems worth noting https://r-spatial.org/r/2022/04/12/evolution.html is the most up to date resource on the retirement of rgdal, rgeos and maptools (as of June 2022). – Todd West Jun 24 '22 at 18:00
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This message means that the maintainer of the package is retiring. He will no longer be in position to give rgdal package the tender loving care that CRAN listing requires. He therefore suggests you migrate your workflows to other tools in an orderly manner.

Jindra Lacko
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