MetStaT.ReadFileToHeaderMatrix: Reads a data file to a matrix.

Description

This function can read data files that have their data separated by a certain symbol (eg. comma's or tabs). In addition, the method can handle data files which contain row and column names, and maintains these in the resulting matrix.

Usage

MetStaT.ReadFileToHeaderMatrix(file.to.read, file.contains.header = TRUE, 
file.contains.row.names = FALSE, rows = "", cols = "", separator = "\t", 
force.numeric = FALSE)

Arguments

file.to.read

filename of file to be used as input.

file.contains.header

boolean. Does the file contain column names in its first row.

file.contains.row.names

boolean. Does the file contain row names in its first column.

rows

can be used to include or exclude rows during import. Only include a set of rows for import by supplying positive row numbers or ranges (eg. "1,2,3" or "1:3 will both limit the import to rows 1 to 3). Exclude a set of rows for import by supplying negative row numbers or ranges (eg. "-1,-2,-3" or "-1:-3 will both exclude rows 1 to 3 (and include the other rows)).

cols

can be used to include or exclude columns during import. Only include a set of columns for import by supplying positive row numbers or ranges (eg. "1,2,3" or "1:3 will both limit the import to columns 1 to 3). Exclude a set of columns for import by supplying negative columns numbers or ranges (eg. "-1,-2,-3" or "-1:-3 will both exclude columns 1 to 3 (and include the other columns)).

separator

which separator symbol is used in the file to separate the data values (eg. "\t" for tab separated values, or "," for comma separated values).

force.numeric

boolan. If TRUE, the values in the data range of the input file are forced to numerical values (non-numerical values will become NA).

Value

Returns a matrix containing the data values in the file, and optionally the row and column names.