This is a quick guide to start using R from Emacs:
1. Install R (http://cran.r-project.org/manuals.html)
2. Install ESS (Emacs Speaks Statistics) package for Emacs. It is available as a package in most distros:
In Ubuntu
$ sudo apt-get install ess
To install in your environment, check Downloads in ESS site: http://ess.r-project.org
3. Open .R file to turn on ESS mode in Emacs
4. To open R shell in inferior mode:
M-x inferior-ess
This will start a shell where you can run R interactively.
5. To evaluate an expression in buffer in R console, select the expression or block in Emacs (Ctrl+Space and arrow keys) and C-c C-r
Follow the instructions here to evaluate using just Shift+Enter:
http://www.kieranhealy.org/blog/archives/2009/10/12/make-shift-enter-do-a-lot-in-ess/
