Overview

The two sections in this document, SPSS Data Files and SPSS Portable Files, apply to SPSS software running under UNIX and Windows environemnt, the major thrust of the material in general.

Conventions

Within this document, UNIX commands that you will enter at your terminal are in Bold Courier font. Information intended to be typed into files or windows appears in boldface. Filenames and (sub)directory names are in italics.

SPSS Data Files

SPSS Data Files (also called SPSS System Files) are files which contain both data values and descriptive (i.e., dictionary) information (e.g., variable names, labels, etc.) about the data. These files are created, maintained, and used by SPSS software.

SPSS Data/System Files are written with the SPSS command SAVE.

     save outfile='filename'

SPSS Data/System Files are read with the SPSS command GET.

     get file='filename'

Details on the SAVE and GET commands are available in SPSS Base System: Syntax Reference Guide (Release 5.0 or 6.0).

SPSS Data/System Files have one limitation: they are host-specific. This means that SPSS Data/System Files created on one type of computer system (e.g., an IBM mainframe) cannot be used on other systems running SPSS (e.g., UNIX systems).

SPSS Portable Files

A solution to the limitation described above may be found in SPSS' ability to create SPSS Portable Files. An SPSS Portable file is a special type of SPSS Data File written in a format which allows it to be read by SPSS software on multiple types of computer systems. Thus, an SPSS Portable File created on an IBM mainframe could be used on a UNIX system, a Personal Computer, or on any system running SPSS software.

In order to create an SPSS Portable file, use the SPSS command EXPORT.

     export outfile='filename'

In order to read an SPSS Portable file, use the SPSS IMPORT command.

     import file='filename'

Details on the EXPORT and IMPORT commands are available in SPSS Base System: Syntax Reference Guide (Release 5.0 or 6.0).

SPSS Portable files may be transferred between computers in a number of ways, including via phone lines and a modem, and via ftp (File Transfer Protocol). In all cases, the file must be transferred in ASCII or "text" mode, rather than "binary" mode. ASCII/text mode is typically the default file transfer mode used by ftp and by the Kermit file transfer protocol. Contact the OIT/NBCS Help Desk [(732) 445-HELP] if you need assistance with file transfers.