初心者なりの解釈ですが、もとはセミナーの内容の抜粋で、かなり古い文書です。
<<<
R is similar to other programming languages, like C, Java and Perl, in that it
helps people perform a wide variety of computing tasks by giving them access
to various commands.
>>>
New York Times article about R, quoted in jest's use.perl.org journal -
http://use.perl.org/~jest/journal/38229
-- jest
-- "Worst sentence ever written about programming in the MSM" ( http://use.perl.org/~jest/journal/38229 )
Q: Why was Stonehenge abandoned?
A: It wasn't IBM compatible.