| name | svm-model-importance-analysis |
| description | Use when you need a standardized R CLI workflow to run two-class SVM-RFE feature ranking on an expression-like matrix, choose an informative feature count from cross-validated error, and generate reproducible ranking and error plots. NOT for regression, multi-class classification, missing-value imputation, or remote data fetching. |
| license | MIT |
| author | AIPOCH |
Source: https://github.com/aipoch/medical-research-skills
SVM Model Importance Analysis
When to Read External Files
| Situation | File to Read | Purpose |
|---|
| Need algorithm details | references/algorithm.md | Explain SVM-RFE ranking, cross-validation logic, assumptions, and interpretation |
| Need to execute the analysis | scripts/main.R | Run the CLI entry point with a complete Rscript command |
| Encounter an error | references/troubleshooting.md | Map standardized error codes to causes and fixes |
| Need CLI examples | references/cli-guide.md | Review installation steps and runnable CLI examples |
| Need a runnable smoke test | tests/data/ | Use the bundled small dataset for verification |
Usage
Rscript scripts/main.R \
--input_file ./input/expression_matrix.csv \
--group_file ./input/group_info.csv \
--case_group Case \
--control_group Control \
--output_dir output/basic-run \
--seed 42 \
--timeout_seconds 600
Arguments
| Short | Long | Type | Default | Required | Description |
|---|
-i | --input_file | character | none | yes, unless --plot_only TRUE | Expression matrix file with samples in rows and features in columns |
-g | --group_file | character | none | yes, unless --plot_only TRUE | Group file with sample IDs in the first column |
-c | --case_group | character | none | yes, unless --plot_only TRUE | Case group label |
-r | --control_group | character | none | yes, unless --plot_only TRUE | Control group label |
-o | --output_dir | character | output | yes | Output directory inside the skill root |
-p | --plot_only | logical | FALSE | no | Reuse output_dir/data/svm_result.rds and regenerate plots without rerunning SVM-RFE |
-s | --seed | integer | 42 | no | Random seed for reproducibility |
-t | --timeout_seconds | integer | 600 | no | Elapsed time limit for the run |
| --svm_k | integer | 10 | no | Number of stratified outer folds used for SVM-RFE and validation |
| --svm_halve_above | integer | 50 |
Input Format
Expression Matrix
- CSV or TSV.
- First column: sample IDs.
- Remaining columns: numeric features.
- Samples must be rows.
- Missing or non-numeric feature values are not allowed.
Example:
sample,HIF1A,NR4A1,SOCS1
S1,6.21,-1.34,2.01
S2,6.57,0.37,3.62
S3,7.05,2.12,5.01
Group File
- CSV or TSV.
- First column: sample IDs.
- One additional column must contain both the case and control labels.
- Exactly two groups are supported.
Example:
sample,group
S1,Case
S2,Case
S3,Control
Output Files
| File | Format | Description |
|---|
data/svm_result.rds | RDS | Serialized SVM-RFE bundle with ranking results and metadata |
table/svm_rfe_features.csv | CSV | Selected ranked features using the chosen feature-count rule |
table/svm_rfe_full_ranking.csv | CSV | Full ranking table across all input features |
plot/svm_rfe_error_plot.pdf | PDF | Cross-validated classification error across feature counts |
plot/svm_rfe_ranking_plot.pdf | PDF | Bar plot of the highest-ranked SVM-RFE features |
session_info.txt | TXT | R version, platform, and package version information |
Error Handling
- Successful runs exit with status code
0.
- Failed runs exit with status code
1.
- Error messages use standardized names such as
SKILL_FILE_NOT_FOUND and SKILL_INVALID_PARAMETER.
- Output paths are validated so that
--output_dir cannot write outside the skill root.
- The analysis never performs network requests and never executes user input through
eval(), exec(), or system().
Common codes:
| Error Code | Meaning |
|---|
SKILL_FILE_NOT_FOUND | An input file or required plot-only artifact does not exist |
SKILL_MISSING_COLUMNS | The input file does not contain the required columns |
SKILL_EMPTY_DATA | An input file is empty or a required ranking table is unavailable |
SKILL_INVALID_PARAMETER | A CLI argument, group setting, numeric constraint, or path is invalid |
SKILL_SAMPLE_MISMATCH | Sample IDs do not match between the expression matrix and group file |
SKILL_PACKAGE_NOT_FOUND | One or more required CRAN packages are missing |
For detailed fixes, READ: references/troubleshooting.md
Testing
Help Check
Rscript scripts/main.R --help
Full Test Run
Rscript tests/run_tests.R
Direct Test Command
Rscript scripts/main.R \
--input_file tests/data/expression_matrix.csv \
--group_file tests/data/group_info.csv \
--case_group AR \
--control_group Control \
--output_dir tests/output/manual-test \
--seed 42 \
--svm_k 4 \
--svm_max_features_cap 6 \
--svm_rank_top_n 6 \
--timeout_seconds 300