Should the diamonds dataset factor variables be unorderd?

[davidhodge931]

The diamonds dataset is full of ordered variables

head(ggplot2::diamonds, 1)
#> # A tibble: 1 × 10
#>   carat cut   color clarity depth table price     x     y     z
#>   <dbl> <ord> <ord> <ord>   <dbl> <dbl> <int> <dbl> <dbl> <dbl>
#> 1  0.23 Ideal E     SI2      61.5    55   326  3.95  3.98  2.43

^{Created on 2024-05-28 with reprex v2.1.0}

R 4 datascience doesn't recommend using these.

https://r4ds.hadley.nz/factors

Subsequently, should the diamonds dataset factor variables be unorderd?

[teunbrand]

Is there a common case where the orderedness of these factors are giving some kind of issues?

[thomasp85]

They are ordered values and should be treated as such. ggplot2 itself has different default scales for ordered vs unordered data.

I don't think you can take the recommendation in R4DS to such an extreme conclusion as to strip the use from all available data

[davidhodge931]

Thanks!