best.R

best <- function(state, outcome) {
    oc <- read.csv('outcome-of-care-measures.csv', colClasses = 'character')
    oc[,11] <- suppressWarnings(as.numeric(oc[,11]))
    oc[,17] <- suppressWarnings(as.numeric(oc[,17]))
    oc[,23] <- suppressWarnings(as.numeric(oc[,23]))

    #create a list of states for verification
    states <- unique(oc$State)
    #make a list of outcomes to check for
    conditions <- c('heart attack', 'heart failure', 'pneumonia')
    if (!state %in% states) { stop('invalid state') }
    if (!outcome %in% conditions) { stop('invalid outcome') }
    
    #make a subset, just for that state
    soc <- oc[grep(state, oc$State, ignore.case=T),]
    
    #pick a column to select based on the outcome
    if (outcome == 'heart attack' ) { selector <- 11 }
    if (outcome == 'heart failure' ) { selector <- 17 }
    if (outcome == 'pneumonia' ) { selector <- 23 }

    sorted <- soc[order(soc[,selector],soc[,2]),]
    #sorted <- na.omit(sorted)
    sorted[1,2]
}