PRISM Documentation: Index Page

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Getting Started

PRISM Home Page

New to PRISM? Get up and running quickly:

  1. 🔍 Search for packages - Type package names or keywords in the search box
  2. 📋 Copy repository URLs - Click the clipboard icon next to any edition
  3. ❤️ Save favorites - Click the heart icon on packages you use frequently

Key Terminology

For detailed definitions of PRISM-specific terms like “registries,” “editions,” and “collections,” please refer to the PRISM terminology documentation.

Common Workflows

Installing Packages in R

  1. Find your edition - Browse registries to find the right package collection
  2. Copy the URL - Click the clipboard icon next to the edition name
  3. Use in R - use your favorite R package manager to install packages from the edition URL

Building a Reproducible Environment

  1. Choose a Repository Edition (date-based snapshots)
  2. Copy the repository URL
  3. Document the URL in your project for future reproducibility
  4. Install all packages from the same repository URL

Finding Compatible Packages

  1. Select your R version from the dropdown (e.g., “R 4.1”)
  2. Browse filtered results - only compatible packages will show
  3. Look for warning indicators - yellow warnings mean some versions may not work
  4. Use the search - search works across package names and descriptions

Interface Overview

Registries View

PRISM Registries View

The Registries view organizes package collections into three expandable categories.

Registry Types (Expandable Sections)

Click the chevron arrows to expand or collapse each registry type:

Repository Registries

PRISM Repository Registries

Date-based snapshots of package ecosystems:

  • Self-contained - All dependencies available within the same edition
  • Reproducible - Packages guaranteed to work together
  • Stable - Versions don’t change once published

💡 Best For: Production environments, reproducible research, regulatory compliance

Collection Registries

PRISM Collection Registries

Curated package sets for specific purposes:

  • Thematic - Packages selected for specific domains or workflows
  • Updated - May receive updates as new versions become available
  • Quality-assured - Tested combinations of packages

💡 Best For: Domain-specific work, getting started with related packages

Individual Package Registries

PRISM Individual Package Registries

Single-package focus for specialized needs:

  • Development versions - Latest or experimental package versions
  • Frequent updates - Packages that update often
  • Testing - Specific versions for testing purposes

💡 Best For: Package development, testing specific versions, getting latest features

Registry Tabs and Edition Cards

Within each registry type:

  • Click tab headers (e.g., “stratus”) to switch between different registries
  • Only one registry is shown at a time
  • Selected tab has a white background and bold text
  • Edition cards show package count and repository information

View Controls

PRISM View Controls

Toggle between Grid View (cards) and Table View using the buttons in the top-right corner.

Packages View

Packages as a table:

  • Package Name - Click to view detailed package information
  • Versions - Available versions (dropdown shows multiple if available)
  • Title - Brief description of package functionality
  • Docs - Documentation availability indicator
  • Sortable columns - Click headers to sort

PRISM Index Packages Table

Packages as a grid:

  • Same information in a card-based layout
  • Better for browsing and visual scanning
  • Heart icon for adding to favorites

PRISM Index Packages Grid

Browse and search all available R packages with intelligent filtering.

Package Version Dropdown

  • Multiple Versions - Open the dropdown to see all versions available for a particular package
  • Filtered Results - Package versions that are compatible with the applied filters are distinguished from those that are not
  • Documentation Support - Package versions that have generated documentation available have the blue book icon

Table View:

PRISM Index Packages Version Dropdown

Grid View:

PRISM Index Packages Version Dropdown

My Favorites Section

PRISM Index Package Favorites Section

When you save packages as favorites (using the ❤️ heart icon), they appear in a dedicated section at the top of the page. This section:

  • Automatically appears when you have favorites
  • Collapsible - Click the chevron to expand/collapse
  • Quick access - Direct links to your most-used packages
  • Persistent - Favorites are saved in your browser

Search Functionality

PRISM Index Packages Search

How Search Works:

  • Real-time filtering - Results update as you type (with 150ms delay for performance)
  • Searches both package names and descriptions
  • Fuzzy matching - Finds packages even with slight misspellings
  • Persistent - Search terms are saved in the URL for sharing

Two Types of Search:

  1. Global Search (navbar) - Navigates to packages page with search applied
  2. Local Search (packages view) - Filters current page in real-time

Filtering System

R Version Filter

PRISM Index Packages R Version Filter
  • Page-specific - Only affects the current page
  • Compatibility checking - Automatically filters incompatible packages
  • Version matching - Uses semantic version comparison
  • URL parameter - Filter state saved in URL for sharing

Registry Filter

PRISM Registry Filter

Registry Filter Behavior:

  • “All Registries” - Shows content from all available registries
  • “(X) Selected” - Shows only content from selected registries
  • Site-wide - Affects all pages you visit
  • Session persistent - Remembered until you close your browser
  • Instant updates - Changes apply immediately

Results and Indicators

Package Count Display

PRISM Index Packages Results Counter

Shows how many packages match your current search and filters.

Warning Indicators

PRISM Index Packages Warning Indicators

Yellow warning messages appear when: - Version conflicts - Some package versions don’t match your R version - Registry filtering - Some packages are hidden by registry selection - Search limitations - Filters have significantly reduced available packages

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

No packages showing up?

  • Check your registry filter settings (try “All Registries”)
  • Clear your R version filter
  • Clear your search term

Search not working?

  • Ensure JavaScript is enabled in your browser
  • Try refreshing the page
  • Clear your search and try different terms

Can’t copy repository URLs?

  • Ensure JavaScript is enabled
  • Try right-clicking and “Copy” if the clipboard icon doesn’t work
  • Check your browser’s clipboard permissions

Favorites not saving?

  • Check that your browser allows local storage
  • Ensure you’re not in private/incognito mode
  • Try clearing browser cache and cookies for this site

See a bug/Missing feature?

  • Please report it to the A2-Ai team with a the version number and a description!