rbased

Rbased is an open-source software project designed to facilitate the use of the R programming language within larger software systems. It provides a lightweight runtime that embeds the R interpreter into host applications and exposes a stable API for executing R code, transferring data between host and R, and loading R-based extensions. Rbased aims to support cross-platform deployment on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and to integrate with languages such as Python, Java, and C++ through language bindings.

Key features include an embedding API, a module system for R packages, a data interchange layer that supports common formats such as data frames, CSV, and JSON, and tools for reproducible analysis such as versioned environments and traceable execution. The project emphasizes interoperability, error handling, and lightweight integration to minimize changes required in host applications.

Architecture and components: The project uses a modular core written in C/C++ that hosts the R interpreter via the embedded R API, with language bindings for Python and Java. It supports extension through a plug-in mechanism and provides utilities for launching, monitoring, and debugging R-based tasks. A separate packaging layer helps distribute R-based modules and ensures compatibility across platforms.

History and reception: Rbased was launched in 2019 by a collaboration of data scientists and software engineers aiming to bring R analytics into production and cross-language pipelines. It has attracted community contributions and user documentation, with discussions focused on interoperability, performance tradeoffs, and ease of deployment. Some users note initial setup complexity, while others praise streamlined embedding and reproducible workflows.

See also: R, Rcpp, Jupyter, Data science workflow tools, Interoperability.