library("R.utils") # Get variable 'a' if it exists, otherwise return the default value. value <- eget("a", default=42L) print(value) # 42L # Short version doing the same value <- eget(a=42L) print(value) # 42L # Same, but look for the variable in 'envir' (here a list) value <- eget("a", default=42L, envir=list(a=1)) print(value) # 1L # Get variable 'n', which defaults to command-line argument # 'n' ('-n' or '--n'), which in turn defaults to 42L. value <- eget(n=cmdArg(n=42L)) print(value) # Equivalently. value <- ecget(n=42L) print(value)