posit-dev / posit-dev/positron

Plots: R: `plot.new()` and `grid::new.page()` should open a blank plot

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area: plots lang: r
Dominant language
TypeScript
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Merged PRs (30d)
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Description

Split from https://github.com/posit-dev/positron/issues/2738

Currently, calling these will not produce any discernible result. Only further plotting operations will show that a new plot was created. Ideally calling plot.new() or grid::new.page() would immediately open a blank plot.

Maybe we hook into the "plot.new" hook like we do the "before.plot.new" hook and tell Positron we have a new plot, but we just send it a blank plot? I'm not sure if the graphics device actually "draws" a blank page during plot.new() or not.

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Start by tracing how Positron handles the "before.plot.new" hook and whether the "plot.new" hook is already available. Compare the behavior of R's plot.new() and grid::new.page(), using issue #2738 for context. Done means either call immediately opens a visibly blank plot or the graphics-device limitation is documented.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
r, typescript
Domain
data-visualization, desktop
Issue type
Feature
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
35/100

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