Is there a functional difference between `slice_head()` and `head()`?

tidyverse
#1

Dear Posit Community,

I would like to discuss the functional difference, if any, between two functions: slice_head() from the dplyr package and head() from base R. Specifically, I am curious to know if there is a reason to prefer slice_head() over head() and similarly, slice_tail() over tail(). To illustrate, consider the following R code:

library(dplyr)
identical(
  slice_head(starwars, n = 5),
  head(starwars, n = 5)
)
identical(
  slice_tail(starwars, n = 5),
  tail(starwars, n = 5)
)

Both calls to the identical() function return TRUE, indicating that the outputs of slice_head() and head() as well as slice_tail() and tail() are identical. This leads me to question whether the slice_ prefix serves any purpose other than adding six extra characters. Is the only reason for slice_head() to adhere to the tidyverse naming convention, where functions are typically named as verbal phrases? Or is there a functional distinction between slice_head() and head()?

I would greatly appreciate your insights on this matter.

Thank you in advance for your response.

Best regards,
Michael

#2

slice_head has additional options by and prop, as you can find in the documentation of the function.