littler

Littler is the comparative form of the adjective little. In contemporary standard English it is uncommon and often replaced by smaller or less. It is more likely to be found in dialect speech, older writing, poetry, or humorous contexts. The superlative form is littlest. Some style guides and usage authorities note that its use should be limited to contexts where dialect or emphasis is intended.

In computing, littler refers to a lightweight command-line front-end for the R programming language. It provides a small set of scripts that simplify running R code from the shell, enabling straightforward automation and scripting. The project aims to make it easier to execute R scripts in batch processes, build systems, and pipelines without requiring heavier R-specific tooling. It is used by statisticians, data scientists, and developers who work with R in Unix-like environments and other operating systems.

Origin and licensing: Littler is an open-source project maintained by members of the R community. The source code is hosted publicly, and contributions come from volunteers and researchers who work with R. The project emphasizes portability and a minimalist design, prioritizing quick startup and small footprint.

See also: English grammar, R programming language, open-source software.