Skip to content

difference between write.csv(...) and write.table(..., sep=", ")

4 messages · Jinsong Zhao, Michael Dewey, Berend Hasselman +1 more

#
Hi there,

I notice that write.csv is a wrap of write.table. However, I can't get 
the same results using both functions. Here is a reproducible example:

 > x <- matrix(1:6, nrow =2)
 > rownames(x) <- letters[1:2]
 > colnames(x) <- LETTERS[1:3]
 > write.csv(x, "")
"","A","B","C"
"a",1,3,5
"b",2,4,6
 > write.table(x, "", sep = ",")
"A","B","C"
"a",1,3,5
"b",2,4,6

The difference of outputs from both functions is clear.

Is it possible to get the same results of write.csv using write.table?

Any suggestions will be really appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Best,
Jinsong
#
I think that if you do ?write.csv and then page down to the section
entitled CSV files the mystery will be solved for you in the first few 
paragraphs.
On 16/08/2015 15:38, Jinsong Zhao wrote:

  
    
  
#
Yes. Read  the item col.names in the help for write.table and go to the section ?CSV files?..

Use  write.table(x, "", sep = ",", col.names=NA)

Learn to use R?s help.

Berend
#
"","A","B","C"
"a",1,3,5
"b?,2,4,6
"","A","B","C"
"a",1,3,5
"b?,2,4,6


Read the section on CSV files in ?write.table

Regards,

Marc Schwartz