Character to variable and variable to character conversion #R

char2var.R

# Variable name to character

deparse(substitute(variable))

"variable"

# Character to variable

eval(as.name("variable"))

str(eval(as.name("variable"))) # should work


# More complex case - when we're sticking it all into a function

outerfunction <- function(resultsdataframe, prefix){
bp <- innerfunction(resultsdataframe, prefix)
return(bp)
}


innerfunction <- function(resultsdataframe, prefix){
# if the resultsdataframe = "EBvsS" i.e. class(resultsdataframe) == "character"
# the value (i.e. actual data frame)
  print(eval(as.name(eval(resultsdataframe)))) 
# its name
  print(resultsdataframe) 
  
  # below if it points directly to data frame - the actual data
  #print(eval(as.name(substitute(resultsdataframe))))
  # can't seem to get it to play nice and return the name
}


doIget <- outerfunction( resultsdataframe = "lala", prefix = "whatever")