# A computer algebra system for R: Macaulay2 and the m2r package

## TL;DR

The paper introduces m2r, an R package that integrates R with Macaulay2, enabling algebraic statistical methods to be more accessible through a persistent connection, facilitating applications in statistical problems.

## Contribution

It presents the design and implementation of m2r, a novel R package that connects R to Macaulay2 for algebraic computations in statistics.

## Key findings

- m2r enables seamless integration of R and Macaulay2.
- The package supports various algebraic statistical applications.
- It improves accessibility of algebraic methods in R.

## Abstract

Algebraic methods have a long history in statistics. The most prominent manifestation of modern algebra in statistics can be seen in the field of algebraic statistics, which brings tools from commutative algebra and algebraic geometry to bear on statistical problems. Now over two decades old, algebraic statistics has applications in a wide range of theoretical and applied statistical domains. Nevertheless, algebraic statistical methods are still not mainstream, mostly due to a lack of easy off-the-shelf implementations. In this article we debut m2r, an R package that connects R to Macaulay2 through a persistent back-end socket connection running locally or on a cloud server. Topics range from basic use of m2r to applications and design philosophy.