R is a programming language and environment that is widely used for statistical computing, data analysis, and visualization. It was originally developed by Ross Ihaka and Robert Gentleman at the University of Auckland in New Zealand in the mid-1990s.

R includes a wide range of built-in functions and libraries for statistical analysis, data manipulation, and graphics. It also includes tools for working with large datasets and for performing advanced statistical modeling and machine learning tasks.

One of the key features of R is its ability to work with data in a variety of formats, including CSV, Excel, SQL databases, and web data sources. R also has a large and active community of developers who have contributed many packages and tools for specific applications and domains.

R is commonly used in a wide range of fields, including finance, healthcare, social sciences, and environmental sciences. It is also commonly used in academia for teaching and research purposes.

There are many resources available for learning R, including online tutorials, books, and courses. The R website provides extensive documentation and support for R users, as well as links to community resources such as forums, blogs, and user groups.