is there a concept of Shortcuts/Alias/Pointer in R? -

i working on rather large dataset in r split in several dataframes.

the problem things whole set, need work or modify parts of set , selectors getting clunky, f.e.

alistofitems$attribute4([alistofitems$attribute1 == true & alistofitems$attribute2 == 6 & alistofitems$attribute3 == "c"),] <- alistofitems([alistofitems$attribute1 == true &    alistofitems$attribute2 == 6 & alistofitems$attribute3 == "c"),alistofitems$attribute5] * alistofitems([alistofitems$attribute1 == true & alistofitems$attribute2 == 6 & alistofitems$attribute3 == "c"),alistofitems$attribute7] 

(this sets attribute 4 (attribute5 * attribute6) selected part of entries.)

this horrible read, understand , edit.

splitting these different dataframes not option due ram , because refresh data regulary , rebuilding seperate dataframes pain.

so, there way like

items_t6c <- &(alistofitems([alistofitems$attribute1 == true & alistofitems$attribute2  == 6 & alistofitems$attribute3 == "c"),] 

so can use

items_t6c$attribute4 <- # 

alternatively, maybe possible store such selector in string-variable , use it?

you can first construct logical vector, give meaningful name, , use in command. makes script bit longer, easier read:

interesting_bit = with(alistofitems, attribute1 &                                         attribute2 == 6 &                                       attribute3 == "c") 

in addition, using bit of indentation makes code more readable.

alistofitems$attribute4[interesting_bit,] <-       alistofitems[interesting_bit,alistofitems$attribute5]    * alistofitems[interesting_bit,alistofitems$attribute7] 

and using within more readability:

alistofitems[interesting_bit,] = within(alistofitems[interesting_bit,], {       attribute4 = attribute5 * attribute7    } 

also, logical there no need explicitly test == true:

interesting_bit = alistofitems$attribute1 &             alistofitems$attribute2 == 6 & alistofitems$attribute3 == "c" 

this reduces this:

alistofitems$attribute4([alistofitems$attribute1 == true & alistofitems$attribute2 == 6 & alistofitems$attribute3 == "c"),] <- alistofitems([alistofitems$attribute1 == true &    alistofitems$attribute2 == 6 & alistofitems$attribute3 == "c"),alistofitems$attribute5] * alistofitems([alistofitems$attribute1 == true & alistofitems$attribute2 == 6 & alistofitems$attribute3 == "c"),alistofitems$attribute7] 

to (note additional use of with):

interesting_bit = with(alistofitems, attribute1 &                                         attribute2 == 6 &                                       attribute3 == "c") alistofitems[interesting_bit,] = within(alistofitems[interesting_bit,], {       attribute4 = attribute5 * attribute7    } 

this code not less daunting, instantly conveys doing, hard divine original code.