Data visualization

Data visualization is part of every Data Science project, as it supports the ideas and concepts behind the theory. Graphics help us to tell the story in a better way than just numbers or text. This book is a good example if you think it through. How difficult would it be to explain what each kind of visual is if I could not show you a picture, right?

In this chapter, we will work with visualization using functions from what we call Base-R, a neat alias for the functions that come native in R. And before you wonder why we don’t go straight to ggplot2 – possibly the best and most well-known way to plot graphics in R – I would say that we’re learning Base-R plotting because it does not require installation. Ergo, no dependencies, no conflicts, and no errors, making it your go-to option for a quick visual.

To be more specific about data visualization, let’s go over a few good tips to build good graphics, according to Cole Nussbaumer...