PRISM Documentation: Package Overview Page
Getting Started
The Package Overview page displays all available versions of a specific R package. This page serves as a central hub for exploring different versions of a package, accessing documentation, and understanding version history.
Quick Actions:
- 📖 View package details - Click version numbers to see detailed package information
- 📚 Access documentation - Click “Docs” links for package documentation
- 🔗 Navigate versions - Easily switch between different package versions
Getting to Package Overview Pages
Page Structure
Package Header
The header provides general package identification:
Header Elements
- Package name - Large, prominent package identifier (e.g., “ghqc”)
- Package description - Brief explanation of package functionality
Version Grid
The main content area displays all available package versions as cards:
Version Cards
Each version appears as an individual card containing:
- Version number - Prominently displayed (e.g., “0.3.3”, “0.4.2”)
- Documentation link - “Docs” button when documentation is available
- Click navigation - Entire card area clickable for version details
User Interactions
Version cards provide two separate interaction methods:
Click To Version Page
Navigate to detailed version page (see package version help page)
Click To Docs
- Direct links - Click “Docs” to open documentation in new tab/window
Documentation Availability
- Version-specific - Each version may have different documentation
- External navigation - Documentation opens separately from main PRISM interface
Not all versions have documentation
If there are versions without documentation, users will be led to a error page. If users wish to have documentation generated for a version, clicking the “Request Docs” button will send us a request to generate that documentation, and we may update our content in the future accordingly.
Registry Filtering Impact
Filter Behavior
The registry filter (in top navigation) affects which versions appear:
Filtering Effects
- Version visibility - Only versions from selected registries appear
- Automatic updates - Changes happen immediately when filter changes
- Warning messages - Yellow alerts when some versions are filtered out
- No versions scenario - Message appears if no versions match filters
Filter Interaction
- Site-wide setting - Registry filter affects all PRISM pages
Common Workflows
Exploring Package Versions
- Arrive at overview - Navigate to package via search or listing
- Review available versions - Scan version cards to see what’s available
- Check documentation - Look for “Docs” links on versions of interest
- Select version - Click version card to see detailed information
- Access documentation - Use “Docs” links for package help
Working with Package Documentation
- Identify documented versions - Look for “Docs” links
- Access documentation - Click to open in new tab
- Review package help - Study documentation for usage guidance
- Return to overview - Come back to explore other versions
- Cross-reference versions - Compare documentation across versions
Troubleshooting
Common Issues
No versions showing?
- Check your registry filter settings in the top navigation
- Verify the package name is spelled correctly in the URL
- Try setting registry filter to “All Registries”
Missing documentation links?
- Documentation availability varies by package and version
- Not all versions have generated documentation
- Try different versions to find documented ones
Can’t navigate to version details?
- Ensure JavaScript is enabled in your browser
- Try refreshing the page if clicks aren’t responding
- Check that you’re clicking the version number area
Page not loading properly?
- Verify the package name exists in PRISM
- Check your internet connection
- Try accessing the package through search instead of direct URL