The development of computer applications has become a key phase in the process of disseminating research results and transferring knowledge. New skills in programming and effective digital communication are increasingly necessary to publicize Data Science based research.
1. Shiny: Web application development with R
What is Shiny?
Shiny is a free and open source R package (GPLv3 license) that provides the structure and functions needed to create web applications oriented to data analysis and visualization using the R programming language and its IDE, RStudio. Shiny is able to provide interactivity to scripts to show the results to the community in a creative and efficient way. Its operation is based on websocket technology and reactive programming, which allows linking a series of input widgets (gadgets, objects) (sliders, selectables, text boxes…etc) with different output elements (graphs, tables, maps…etc). Shiny integrates and allows working with different frameworks such as Bootstrap, a framework that contains design templates with typography, forms, buttons, boxes, navigation menus and countless other elements to customize our applications to the maximum. This is where Shiny’s true potential lies for regular R users. Shiny has all the ingredients necessary to create custom web applications and thus present data and analysis in a unique way.
What can we do with Shiny?
It could be said that everything that develops with Shiny depends on the creativity of each individual. From simple applications consisting of a map to show positional information of spatial data, to dashboards composed of different subpages and an infinite number of widgets and elements. The range of options available is virtually endless.
Shiny is currently being used to satisfy different objectives, the main one being to offer an alternative means of information to the conventional ones. By allowing the user to interact with the data, the information is captured more effectively and efficiently by them. This is why Shiny is being used in both public and private sectors of activity. A great example of the use of Shiny in the public sector can be found in the application created by the New Zealand Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Employment to provide information regarding tourism in the country. Another sector where Shiny’s potential is being uniquely leveraged is healthcare.
This application displays graphical and numerical information about the density of hospitals in the United States and proposes areas where greater access to healthcare options are needed, after adjusting a mathematical model.
Below are a series of links where you can explore different web applications developed with Shiny:
– Shiny Gallery (Different designs, elements and widgets of Shiny applications)
– Shiny User Showcase (Use cases and real applications developed with Shiny for different business sectors)
– Show Me Shiny (Another extensive Shiny gallery with applications created and shared by different users)
It should be noted that the code for the vast majority of applications developed with Shiny is available free of charge. This fundamental feature allows the user to see how a wide variety of Shiny applications are designed, enabling the development and customization of these applications. This is why Shiny is presented as an alternative of great potential for the development of web applications using the R programming language and RStudio.
