R Error: target of assignment expands to non-language object (Example)

In this article, you’ll learn how to handle the Error in X : target of assignment expands to non-language object in the R programming language.

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Example 1: Reproduce the Error in X : target of assignment expands to non-language object

The following R syntax explains how to replicate the Error in X : target of assignment expands to non-language object.

Let’s assume that we want to assign the values 1 to 5 to a new data object. Then, we might try top use the following R code:

1:5 <- 1:5                     # Replicating the error
# Error in 1:5 <- 1:5 : target of assignment expands to non-language object

Unfortunately, the Error in X : target of assignment expands to non-language object was returned after executing the previous R syntax.

The reason for this is that we have tried to assign our values to a vector of values itself. However, we should assign our values to the name of a regular data object.

In the next example, I#ll explain how to resolve this problem!

Example 2: Fix the Error in X : target of assignment expands to non-language object

In Example 2, I’ll explain how to handle the Error in X : target of assignment expands to non-language object.

For this, we need to specify a valid data object name on the left side of our assignment arrow.

Have a look at the following R code:

x <- 1:5                       # Properly assign values to data object
x                              # Print data object
# [1] 1 2 3 4 5

Works fine!

Video, Further Resources & Summary

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• Handling Warning & Error Messages in R
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In summary: In this tutorial, I have shown how to deal with the Error in X : target of assignment expands to non-language object in the R programming language. Don’t hesitate to tell me about it in the comments section below, in case you have any additional questions.