Custom ifelse function that evaluates missing (NA) values. If the logical argument (x) compares to a value that is `NA`, it is set to `FALSE`
if_else2(x, a, b)
| x | A logical argument |
|---|---|
| a | value if `x` is `TRUE` |
| b | value if `x` is `FALSE` |
a or b based on the evaluation of x
unlike the base ifelse() function, if_else2() is able to evaluate NA as either a or b. In base ifelse(), anything compared to NA will produce NA, which can break a function. When dealing with large datasets like the CCHS, there are many missing (NA) values. That means a special ifelse function like if_else2() is needed in order for other functions to not break
age <- 12 status <- if_else2((age < 18), "child", "invalid age") print(status) #> [1] "child" age <- NA status <- if_else2((age < 18), "child", "invalid age") print(status) #> [1] "invalid age"