What is the difference between the functions `apply()` and `sapply()` in R?

What is the difference between the functions `apply()` and `sapply()` in R?

apply(): The apply() function in R is used to apply a function to the rows or columns of a matrix or array. It allows you to perform operations on the rows or columns of a matrix without needing to use loops.

sapply(): The sapply() function in R is a more user-friendly version of the apply() function. It simplifies the syntax and returns the result in a more convenient format, such as a vector or list.

While apply() is more general and can be used with any object that can be coerced to an array, sapply() is specifically designed to work with vectors and matrices.

Overall, the main difference between apply() and sapply() is that apply() is more general and versatile, while sapply() is more streamlined and convenient for working with vectors and matrices.