How do I convert my Rcpp package to use cpp11?

Use the conversion vignette provided by cpp11, which details step-by-step changes like replacing Rcpp attributes with C++11 attributes and adjusting memory management patterns.

Is cpp11 faster or slower than Rcpp?

cpp11 aims for similar or better performance, with improvements in compilation speed and memory usage, but runtime differences vary by use case; check the motivations vignette for benchmarks.

Does cpp11 support all R data types and ALTREP objects?

Yes, cpp11 is compatible with standard R types and ALTREP objects, but some advanced Rcpp sugar features may require direct API usage.

How to handle errors and exceptions in cpp11 with R?

cpp11 integrates with R's error handling via protection mechanisms and C++ exceptions; refer to the safety vignette for best practices on avoiding crashes.

cpp11 vs Rcpp: which is better for a new R package?

For new projects emphasizing modern C++ safety and header-only design, cpp11 is superior; but if you need extensive community support or Rcpp integrations, Rcpp might be safer.

Open-Awesome

cpp11

NOASSERTIONC++v0.5.5

A header-only C++11 library for safe and efficient interaction with R objects from C++ code.

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What is cpp11?

cpp11 is a C++ library that enables R developers to write C++ extensions for R, providing a safe and efficient interface to interact with R objects. It solves the problem of integrating high-performance C++ code with R while enforcing proper memory management and modern C++ features. The library is designed as a header-only solution to avoid compilation and runtime compatibility issues.

Target Audience

R package developers and data scientists who need to write performance-critical extensions in C++ for R, particularly those seeking a modern alternative to Rcpp with improved safety and semantics.

Value Proposition

Developers choose cpp11 for its enforced copy-on-write semantics, UTF-8 support, header-only design, and focus on safety, offering a simpler and more reliable way to integrate C++ with R compared to alternatives.

Overview

cpp11 helps you to interact with R objects using C++ code.

Use Cases

Best For

Writing high-performance R packages with C++ extensions
Converting existing Rcpp-based packages to a modern C++11 interface
Ensuring safe memory management when calling R APIs from C++
Developing R extensions that require UTF-8 string handling
Creating header-only R packages without shared library dependencies
Working with ALTREP objects in C++ for efficient data representations

Not Ideal For

Projects with extensive existing Rcpp codebases that would require significant refactoring
Teams needing immediate access to a wide range of community tutorials and third-party examples
Developers reliant on Rcpp's advanced sugar syntax or legacy features not yet implemented in cpp11
Situations where strict backwards compatibility with pre-C++11 standards is required

Pros & Cons

Pros

Header-Only Simplicity

As a header-only library with no shared dependencies, cpp11 avoids ABI issues and simplifies package integration, making it reliable for distribution.

Enforced Copy-on-Write Safety

It enforces R's copy-on-write semantics to prevent unintended object modifications, improving memory safety when interacting with R from C++.

Modern UTF-8 Support

Uses UTF-8 encoding consistently for string handling, ensuring reliable international text processing in R extensions.

Efficient Compilation

Designed for faster compilation times and lower memory usage, as highlighted in its motivations for a better development workflow.

Cons

Smaller Ecosystem

Being newer than Rcpp, cpp11 has fewer third-party resources, community contributions, and documented use cases, which can hinder troubleshooting.

Feature Gap with Rcpp

Some convenient Rcpp features, like sugar expressions, are missing, requiring more manual code for common operations.

Transition Overhead

Converting from Rcpp involves learning a new API and semantics, adding effort for developers with existing investments in Rcpp.

Open Source Alternative To

cpp11 is an open-source alternative to the following products:

Rcpp

Rcpp is an R package that provides seamless integration between R and C++ code, allowing developers to write high-performance C++ functions that can be called directly from R.

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