This book serves as a practical guide to performing multivariate analysis using the R and S-plus statistical software environments. It is designed for researchers and students who need to apply advanced statistical techniques to their data but may not be experts in programming. The text focuses on providing clear, executable code and explanations for common multivariate methods.

This text is likely regarded as a valuable resource for practitioners seeking to apply multivariate statistical methods using R and S-plus. Its focus on practical implementation suggests it is aimed at users who have a foundational understanding of statistics and wish to translate that knowledge into computational practice. The inclusion of both R and S-plus indicates its utility for a broad segment of the statistical computing community, particularly those working with established statistical software.