Hello,

I'd like to understand the following scenario. We are creating two lists where each has the name RT and yet when running the_list["RT"] it only returns the first one but not both?

> the_list <- c(list(RT=1),list(RT=5))
>
> the_list
$RT
[1] 1

$RT
[1] 5

> 
> the_list["RT"]
$RT
[1] 1

I am assuming the_list["RT"] is returning the first true value or returning false if it is not able to find any instance of true. I suppose my main question is - why is there nothing stopping the list object from accepting a new list with the same name as an existing one and then secondly if that is good intended behaviour why not have the_list["RT"] call show all instances of true?

Because R was not programmed so as to do that....your question is asking us to explain the mental process of Rs developers, that's out of scope for my abilities :slight_smile:

If there's any comfort I can give you it's that you aren't alone in questioning Rs approach.

Also, the takeaway lesson/moral from this is that duplicated names in lists should generally be avoided.

This topic was automatically closed 21 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.