list.files() reorders files in R CMD INSALL

On 6/23/2005 4:18 PM, Vadim Ogranovich wrote:

Hi,
 
The list.files() function seems to order its result vector differently
when is run during R CMD INSTALL. Here is an example:
 
~% mkdir ~/FOO
~% cd ~/FOO/
~/FOO% touch a A b B
~/FOO% ls
a  A  b  B

 
Put foo.R in the vor package. The foo.R just prints the files in ~/FOO:
print(list.files("~/FOO"))

Now install the package:
~/FOO% R CMD INSTALL -l ~/R/library/ ~/src/vor/
* Installing *source* package 'vor' ...
** libs
make: `vor.so' is up to date.
** R
** preparing package for lazy loading
[1] "A" "B" "a" "b"
 
** help

 >>> Building/Updating help pages for package 'vor'

     Formats: text html latex example 
* DONE (vor)

 
Note that the files are listed as: [1] "A" "B" "a" "b"
 
Now start an R session

list.files("~/FOO")

[1] "a" "A" "b" "B"

which differs in order from that in R CMD INSTALL.

Looks like the sorting is being done in the C locale in the first case, 
and in a different one in the second.  See ?locales for how to set the 
locale to what you want.