R vs. Pandas: A Tale of Two Data Analysis Approaches

A seasoned R user recounts their five-year journey using Python's pandas library for data analysis. Through a simple purchase analysis example, the article contrasts the elegance of R's tidyverse with the clunkiness of pandas. R's code flows naturally, while pandas requires more verbose code, frequent restructuring of data and indices, and inconsistent API design, leading to significant user frustration. The author argues that while pandas is powerful, it presents a steep learning curve and a less-than-ideal user experience for those accustomed to R's tidyverse.