Data is loaded into shinyapps.io in a few different ways:
- The simplest way to get data into an application is by uploading a CSV, RData or other data file directly with the application source code. In this model, the application author includes the data files as part of the application. This is usually best for data files that do not change very often as updating or adding data requires redeploying the application. Uploads of this type are done via secure HTTPS by default. Currently there is a limit of 100MB for application uploads.
- Another simple approach is to use the shiny file upload functionally allowing the end user of an application to upload a CSV or other data file. In this model, the end user can directly upload a file to the application which can be analyzed. This is usually best for small data sets. Uploads of this type are always done via secure HTTPS. We currently limit uploads of this type to 32MB.
- The most complex approach would be fetching the data from a remote database or other data source. Shiny applications can be written to dynamically pull data from a SQL database or other API. However, this requires a server that shinyapps.io can connect to. Access to remote databases or APIs can be done via whatever secure protocol you decide is appropriate.