Different data analysis tools: R vs Python vs Excel

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Different data analysis tools

Source: fast campus (https://www.fastcampus.co.kr/)

  • There are many tools for data analysis.
  • Each tool has its own strength so that acknowledging the difference and smartly using different tools depending on situations is important for analysists.

R

  • R has long been used for statistical analysis and visualization.
  • R provides abundant statistics functions.
  • Yet, as it is specialized in statistics, R is difficult to extend to other systems.
  • Relatively slow.

Python

  • Not only for analysis, but also extensible to different systems for example using APIs.

  • Python has gotten great attention for its performance on deep learning (recently python usage has overtaken R usage).

  • Faster than R (but slower than Java or C).

  • Yet, Python is general purpose language in comparison with R which has clearer focus on statistics computation.

Excel

  • Conventional spreadsheet program.

  • Easy to make reports clicking button.

  • Yet, data should be structured and the size of data matters.

Then, which suits best for us?

  • R when you have a project in which statistical accuracy greatly matters.

  • Python if you need fast performance and you want various links with other systems.

  • Excel if you need a quick report by using relatively less large and structured data.

More to read

Reference

  • 패스트캠퍼스 데이터 분석 입문 올인원 패키지 강의

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