How to Use TERR Tools

TIBCO® Enterprise Runtime for R (TERR) is a high-performance statistical engine that is compatible with open-source R. It is provided in your installation of Spotfire so you can script and run data functions or create predictive models. TERR Tools are provided to give you access to the TERR console to test scripts and functions, to launch the RStudio interactive development environment for script authoring, and to the TERR Language Reference for help with installed packages. The TERR tools also provides an interface to download and install packages from the Comprehensive R Archive Network (CRAN).

To find the TIBCO Enterprise Runtime for R engine:

From the menu, click Tools > TERR Tools.

Response: The TERR Tools dialog is displayed.
Comment: Note that the path to the engine is displayed but is unchangeable in the Path to Local TERR Engine text box.

In the Engine tab, click Copy TERR Engine Path to Clipboard.
Comment: You can use this feature to set the R version to this installation of TERR in the RStudio Tools > Options dialog.

To display the TIBCO Enterprise Runtime for R console:

From the menu, click Tools > TERR Tools.

Response: The TERR Tools dialog is displayed.
Click Launch TERR Console.

Response: The TERR engine console that is included in the Spotfire Modules folder is displayed in a separate window.

To open an instance of RStudio:

From the menu, click Tools > TERR Tools.

Response: The TERR Tools dialog is displayed.
Click Launch RStudio IDE.

Response: The RStudio integrated development environment opens in another window.
Comment:To use this feature, you must have installed the version of RStudio IDE tested with TERR, and you must configure RStudio to use the TERR engine. To configure it, follow the steps to copy the TERR path to the clipboard, and then paste the results into the RStudio configuration dialog.

To display help for TIBCO Enterprise Runtime for R:

From the menu, click Tools > TERR Tools.

Response: The TERR Tools dialog is displayed.

Click Open TERR Language Reference.

Response: A web browser launches and displays the landing page with links to the documentation for TERR.
Comment: The language reference is included in the installation. The links to the technical guides and readme files open these documents on the TIBCO documentation website https://docs.tibco.com/products/tibco-enterprise-runtime-for-r.

To find a package on CRAN:

From the menu, click Tools > TERR Tools.

Response: The TERR Tools dialog is displayed.

Click the Package Management tab.
If you are working through a proxy, click the check box Use IE Proxy Settings.
Click the drop-down arrow for the CRAN Package Repository list, select the repository site mirror to use, and then click Load.
Comment: Download speed might be better for repositories located closer to your location.
Result: CRAN packages available at the location you selected are displayed in the Available Packages selection box.
Scroll through the list to locate the package you need. Alternatively, for a specific package, type its name in the Available Packages box.
Comment: As you type, the list is filtered. You can select multiple packages by holding down the Shift key (for adjacent selections), or holding down the Ctrl key (for nonadjacent selections) as you select.
Click Install to install the selected package(s).
Result: The Installed Packages list is updated to reflect the new installation.

To remove an installed package

From the menu, click Tools > TERR Tools.
Response: The TERR Tools dialog is displayed.
Click the Package Management tab.
From the Installed Packages list, select one or more packages to remove, and then click Remove.
Comment: Do not remove packages that are installed as part of your TERR and Spotfire installation.
Result: The package is removed from your computer and the list is updated.

Note Spotfire packages (SPKs) differ from TERR and R packages. The SPK is the means to deploy extensions to the Spotfire Server, which then distributes its contents to Spotfire Professional users.

For more information about sharing TERR and R packages in Spotfire analyses, see the TIBCO Spotfire Package Management Guide available at https://docs.tibco.com/products/tibco-spotfire-statistics-services.