PRISM Documentation: Packages Page

Getting Started

The Packages page is your dedicated workspace for searching, filtering, and exploring all R packages available in PRISM. Unlike the index page which shows both registries and packages, this page focuses entirely on package discovery and management.

Quick Actions:

🔍 Search packages - Use the search bar for real-time filtering
🎛️ Apply filters - Filter by R version or registry
📊 Switch views - Toggle between table and grid layouts
❤️ Save favorites - Mark packages for quick access later

Page Overview

Search Functionality

How Search Works

Real-time filtering - Results update as you type
Comprehensive matching - Searches both package names and descriptions
Fuzzy search - Finds packages even with slight misspellings
URL persistence - Search terms are saved in the URL for sharing

Search Tips

Package names - Type exact or partial package names (e.g., “dplyr”, “ggplot”)
Descriptions - Search by functionality (e.g., “data manipulation”, “visualization”)
Clear search - Delete all text to see all packages again

Filtering System

R Version Filter

The R version filter helps you find packages compatible with your specific R installation:

Compatibility checking - Automatically filters out incompatible packages
Version-specific - Only shows packages that work with the selected R version, and distinguishes between versions that are compatible and those that are not for the same package
Page-specific - Filter setting applies only to this page (not site-wide)
Clear filter - Select “rversion” to show packages for all R versions

Registry Filter

The registry filter (located in the navigation bar) controls which package registries are visible:

Modified Results - Results are filtered to only show packages and versions from the selected registries
Site-wide effect - Affects all pages you visit, not just the packages page
Multiple selection - Choose specific registries or “All Registries”
Session persistent - Settings remembered until you close your browser
Instant updates - Changes apply immediately to package results

View Options

Table View

The default table view provides a structured overview of packages:

Columns

Package Name - Click to navigate to package details
Versions - Shows available versions (dropdown for multiple versions)
Title - Package description
Docs - Documentation availability indicator

Features

Sortable columns - Click column headers to sort
Version dropdowns - Access multiple versions directly from the list
Click navigation - Click package names to view details

Grid View

The grid view presents packages as cards as an alternative to the table view. Users can still sort cards by package name alphabetically by using the “Sort By” dropdown.

Card Elements

Package logo - Visual identification
Package name - Click to view details
Version information - Current version with dropdown for others
Favorites heart - Add/remove from favorites
Documentation icon - Quick access to docs (when available)
Keywords/tags - Package categorization
Description - Brief package summary

Benefits

Visual browsing - Easier to scan and discover packages
Rich information - More context visible at a glance
Favorites management - Quick heart-click to save packages

Package Version Availability

Version Dropdowns

Package version dropdown, table view Package version dropdown, card view

When packages have multiple versions available:

Primary version - Displayed by default (usually latest)
Dropdown access - Click to see all available versions
Direct navigation - Click any version to go to its details
Version count - Shows total number of versions in parentheses

Documentation Indicators

Documentation availability is clearly marked:

Blue book icon - Documentation available for this version
Gray book icon - Documentation available for other versions
No icon - No documentation available for this package

Results and Feedback

Warning Messages

Yellow warning messages appear when:

Version conflicts - Some package versions don’t match your R version filter
Hidden packages - Registry filtering has removed some packages from view
Limited results - Filters have reduced the available package versions

No Results State

When no packages match your search and filters:

Clear message - “No packages to show” appears in the content area
Troubleshooting - Check your search terms and filter settings
Reset options - Clear search or adjust filters to see more results

Common Workflows

Finding a Specific Package

Use the search bar - Type the package name or related keywords
Apply R version filter - Select your R version if compatibility matters
Browse results - Look through the filtered list
Click package name - Go to detailed package information

Comparing Package Versions

Find packages with multiple versions - Look for dropdown arrows
Open version dropdown - See all available versions
Check documentation - Note which versions have docs available
Navigate to specific versions - Click to view detailed version information

Building a Package List

Search systematically - Use targeted searches for your domain
Save favorites - Heart-click packages you want to remember
Use registry filters - Focus on specific package sources
Document URLs - Share filtered search URLs with colleagues

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Search not working?

Ensure JavaScript is enabled in your browser
Try refreshing the page if search seems stuck
Clear search term and try different keywords

No packages showing?

Check if registry filter is set to “No Selection”
Clear R version filter (set to “rversion”)
Verify search term isn’t too specific

Grid/table view not switching?

Ensure JavaScript is enabled
Try refreshing the page
Check browser console for errors

Favorites not saving?

Confirm browser allows local storage
Avoid private/incognito browsing mode
Clear browser cache if issues persist

Filters not working correctly?

Try clearing all filters and starting fresh
Check that you’re using the correct filter dropdown
Verify registry selection in the navigation bar

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