Running RStudio on Google Colab - r

Question

Is there a way to install and run RStudio on Google Colab?
I am aware that it is possible to run R code on Google Colab. Thus, i was wondering if there is also a work-around to install and run RStudio?

Answer 1

I am using Google Colab and RStudio from time to time. To make the set up easier, I usually copy & paste the following setup script (and use alternative 2).
After creating a new Google Colab Notebook, execute the following commands:
# Add new user called "rstudio" and define password (here "password123")
!sudo useradd -m -s /bin/bash rstudio
!echo rstudio:password123 | chpasswd
# Install R and RStudio Server (Don't forget to update version to latest version)
!apt-get update
!apt-get install r-base
!apt-get install gdebi-core
!wget https://download2.rstudio.org/server/bionic/amd64/rstudio-server-1.4.1103-amd64.deb
!gdebi -n rstudio-server-1.4.1103-amd64.deb
#===============================================================================
# ALTERNATIVE 1: Use ngrok
#===============================================================================
# Advantage: Runs in the background
# Disadvantage: Not so stable
# (often 429 errors during RStudio usage due to max 20 connections without account)
# Optionally register for a free accoount which gets this number up to 40 connections:
# https://ngrok.com/pricing
# Install ngrok (https://ngrok.com/)
!wget -c https://bin.equinox.io/c/4VmDzA7iaHb/ngrok-stable-linux-amd64.zip
!unzip -o ngrok-stable-linux-amd64.zip
# Run ngrok to tunnel RStudio app port 8787 to the outside world.
# This command runs in the background.
get_ipython().system_raw('./ngrok http 8787 &')
# Get the public URL where you can access the Dash app. Copy this URL.
! printf "\n\nClick on the following link: "
! curl -s http://localhost:4040/api/tunnels | python3 -c \
"import sys, json; print(json.load(sys.stdin)['tunnels'][0]['public_url'])"
# ==> To access to the RStudio server
# - click on this link and
# - use the username "rstudio" and
# - the password you defined at the first cell ("password123" in this example).
#===============================================================================
# ALTERNATIVE 2 (preferred): Use localtunnel
#===============================================================================
# (see also: https://github.com/naru-T/RstudioServer_on_Colab/blob/master/Rstudio_server.ipynb)
# Advantage: Stable usage of RStudio
# Disadvantage: Does not run in the background (i.e. Colab blocked)
# Install localtunnel
!npm install -g npm
!npm install -g localtunnel
# Run localtunnel to tunnel RStudio app port 8787 to the outside world.
# This command runs in the background.
!lt --port 8787
# ==> To access to the RStudio server
# - click on this link,
# - click button "Click to Continue" on the "friendly reminder" page,
# - use the username "rstudio" and
# - the password you defined at the first cell ("password123" in this example).