Virtual useR! 2024

The R Development Guide (R Dev Guide) serves as a comprehensive resource to facilitate the onboarding process for new contributors to the R project. Its initial draft emerged in 2021 which was made possible through a funding from the R Foundation. Subsequently, a significant update took place during Google Season of Docs (GSoD) 2022. This update involved the inclusion of new chapters and sections, addressing important aspects such as translations, adopting a git workflow for proposed patches, and providing novice-friendly instructions on installing R from source. Work has continued post-GSoD 2022, to implement further updates and improvements, many in response to feedback on earlier versions. This talk reviews the current status of the guide, shedding light on the positive impact it has had on the R community, particularly among new contributors. With the enhancements to the Guide, contributing has become more accessible, especially for newcomers, compared to relying solely on the official documentation. The talk aims to showcase the evolving nature of the guide and underscore its role in fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for those engaging with the R project.