options(install.packages.check.source = "no") is not respected

[schloerke]

ggplot2 and pkgload have been updated since the last binary was build for oldrelease (v3.6). Calling remotes::remotes::install_deps() on a package that requires ggplot2 and/or pkgload, causes the source version to be installed as the source version has a higher number. This is expected.

I would like for options(install.packages.check.source = "no") to have effect on how packages are installed. This will greatly help how GitHub Actions install packages on older R versions where the source version is typically newer but is not possible to compile locally.

Example on Windows with R v3.6:

• Setting options(install.packages.check.source = "no"): https://github.com/ggobi/ggally/pull/356/checks?check_run_id=727940170#step:8:2
• Validating the source version is higher: https://github.com/ggobi/ggally/pull/356/checks?check_run_id=727940170#step:8:129
• (Unexpected) Installing source version: https://github.com/ggobi/ggally/pull/356/checks?check_run_id=727940170#step:8:789

cc @cpsievert

[mikeblazanin]

I'm wondering if there's been any movement on this feature? or if there's a recommended way to force installing dependencies from binary-only? (e.g. in the time between a new version hitting CRAN and the binary for that version becoming available, when installing from source is likely to fail in a Github Actions workflow)

[gaborcsardi]

Our GH actions do not use this package any more, and they automatically install the binary version of packages, even if that is older, unless some other package explicitly requires the newer source version.

[mikeblazanin]

Thank you, switching to the new GH action worked great!