00 - Welcome and Introduction

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Set Up Instructions

To follow along with the workshop exercises, you’ll need Quarto version 1.7+ and access to a code editor that supports R or Python.

While Quarto itself doesn’t require a programming language, the exercises will include code chunks in R or Python. If you don’t already have R or Python set up locally, I recommend using a cloud-based option like Posit Cloud (for R) or GitHub Codespaces (for Python). I will delete the Posit Cloud project in a few days, so please make a copy of your materials if you would like to keep them.

Recommended Setup Options

Option 1: Posit Cloud (RStudio in the cloud)

• Create a free account at https://posit.cloud
• Open the Posit Cloud project link: https://posit.cloud/content/10523289
• To save a copy of the project to your workspace, click “Save a permanent copy”

Option 2: GitHub Codespaces (VS Code in the browser)

• Requires a free account at https://github.com/
• Go to the GitHub repo: https://github.com/ivelasq/gasp2025-quarto-codespace
• Click “Use this template” then “Open in a codespace”
  • Please note that loading the codespace will take a few minutes.
  • If you are asked to install an extension called markdownlit, say “yes” and trust the publisher.
• You will need to following the “Install the Necessary Packages” instructions below.

Option 3: Local Installation

Choose one editor and follow the steps:

Positron

• Download and install Positron: https://positron.posit.co/download.html
• Quarto comes pre-installed

RStudio

• Download and install RStudio: https://posit.co/downloads/
  • Make sure RStudio is version 2022.07+
• Quarto comes pre-installed

VS Code

• Download and install VS Code: https://code.visualstudio.com/download
• Download and install Quarto: https://quarto.org/docs/get-started/
• Install the following extensions:
  • Quarto Extension: https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=quarto.quarto
  • Jupyter Extension: https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=ms-toolsai.jupyter

Accessing the Workshop Materials

If you are using a cloud-based option, the files will be included in the project folder.

If you are not using a cloud-based option:

If you use Git/GitHub:

• Clone the repository with Git:

git clone https://github.com/ivelasq/gasp2025-quarto-exercises.git

If you don’t use Git/GitHub:

• Go to the GitHub repo: https://github.com/ivelasq/gasp2025-quarto-exercises
• Click the green “Code” button → “Download ZIP”
• Unzip the folder and open it in your chosen editor

Install the Necessary Packages

R

If you are using Posit Cloud, the packages will be pre-installed.

install.packages("pak")
pak::pak(c("dplyr", "ggplot2", "here", "janitor", "knitr", "readr", "scales"))

Python

• Create your virtual environment by selecting Python: Create Environment in the Command Palette
• Select your environment type (recommend Venv)
• Choose an interpreter path
• Select requirements.txt check box to install dependencies

Exercise 1

• Open the 01-exercise-py.qmd or 01-exercise-r.qmd file.
• Preview/render the document.
  • Posit Cloud: You may be asked to allow pop-ups.
• Edit the title and preview/render again.

More Information

Why is it called Quarto?

According to the website, the developers wanted to use a name that had meaning in the history of publishing and ultimately landed on Quarto. A quarto is an 8-page double-sided booklet, made by folding a single sheet of paper into four sections.

Quarto is the format of a book or pamphlet produced from full sheets printed with eight pages of text, four to a side, then folded twice to produce four leaves.

— Wikipedia