Microsoft embraces the R programming language with an acquisition

The R programming language is an exceptionally popular analytics tool for data scientists working in an academic or corporate environment, and Microsoft has decided to embrace this with its recent acquisition of open-source software company Revolution Analytics.

Microsoft has agreed to acquire open-source software company Revolution Analytics, heavily embracing the R programming language, a data analysis tool widely used by both academics and corporate data scientists. The software giant announced the deal on Friday, but did not disclose the terms. Revolution Analytics is best known for offering developer tools for use with the R language, and though Microsoft already works with R, this represents a new bet on the language, reflecting the company’s wider interest in data science.