Q&A 1 How do you create a project data folder for storing RNA-Seq inputs and outputs?

1.1 Explanation

A well-organized project structure improves reproducibility and clarity in RNA-Seq workflows. We’ll begin by creating a data/ directory where all input files (counts, metadata) and output files (DE results, visualizations) will be stored.

This setup mimics a real-world analysis structure and helps you track your data as you progress through the Q&A guide.

1.2 R Code

# 📁 Create the data folder if it doesn't exist
if (!dir.exists("data")) dir.create("data", showWarnings = FALSE)

message("✅ data/ folder created.")

✅ Takeaway: Always start your RNA-Seq project by creating a consistent directory structure. A data/ folder keeps inputs and outputs organized throughout your analysis.