title: R: What do you call the :: and ::: operators and how do they differ?
body: <p>I'm wondering how the functions of the <code>::</code> and <code>:::</code> operators differ in R.</p>
  
  <p>However, I can't figure out what these operators are called and so a google or SO search has not proven helpful. I also get an error when I try <code>?::</code> in R. </p>
  
  <p>So...</p>
  
  <ol>
  <li><p>What are the <code>::</code> and <code>:::</code> operators called?</p></li>
  <li><p><strong>How do <code>::</code> and <code>:::</code> differ? (i.e., what <em>exactly</em> does each do)?</strong></p></li>
  </ol>