User manual

Chapter 1: Introduction to ESS 17
• Thanks to Martin Maechler for reporting and fixing bugs, providing many useful com-
ments and suggestions, and for maintaining the ESS mailing lists.
• Thanks to Frank Ritter for updates, particularly the menu code, and invaluable com-
ments on the manual.
• Thanks to Ken’ichi Shibayama for his excellent indenting code, and many comments
and suggestions.
• Thanks to Aki Vehtari for adding interactive BUGS support.
• Thanks to Brendan Halpin for bug-fixes and updates to Stata-mode.
• Last, but definitely not least, thanks to the many ESS users and contributors to the
ESS mailing lists.
ESS is being developed and currently maintained by
• A.J. Rossini
• Richard M. Heiberger
• Kurt Hornik
• Martin Maechler
• Rodney A. Sparapani
• Stephen Eglen
• Sebastian P. Luque
• Henning Redestig
• Vitalie Spinu
1.4 Getting the latest version of ESS
The latest released version of ESS is always available on the web at: ESS web page or
StatLib
1.4.1 Git for ESS development
For development and experimentation on new ESS features, there is now a GitHub branch
for ESS, available at https://github.com/emacs-ess/ESS.
1.5 How to read this manual
If you need to install ESS, read Chapter 2 [Installation], page 19 for details on what needs
to be done before proceeding to the next chapter.
In this manual we use the standard notation for describing the keystrokes used to invoke
certain commands. C-<chr> means hold the CONTROL key while typing the character
<chr>. M-<chr> means hold the META or EDIT or ALT key down while typing <chr>. If
there is no META, EDIT or ALT key, instead press and release the ESC key and then type
<chr>.
All ESS commands can be invoked by typing M-x command . Most of the useful commands
are bound to keystrokes for ease of use. Also, the most popular commands are also available
through the emacs menubar, and finally, if available, a small subset are provided on the
toolbar. Where possible, keybindings are similar to other modes in emacs to strive for