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Cells in both views can be manually edited, defining the file structure and allowing data entry without using command syntax. The 'Variable View' displays the metadata dictionary, where each row represents a variable and shows the variable name, variable label, value label(s), print width, measurement type, and a variety of other characteristics. Unlike spreadsheets, the data cells can only contain numbers or text, and formulas cannot be stored in these cells.
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The 'Data View' shows a spreadsheet view of the cases (rows) and variables (columns). The graphical user interface has two views which can be toggled.
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In addition to that cases-by-variables structure and processing, there is a separate Matrix session where one can process data as matrices using matrix and linear algebra operations. Files can be matched one-to-one and one-to-many, but not many-to-many. All data processing occurs sequentially case-by-case through the file (dataset). Only two data types are defined: numeric and text (or "string"). SPSS datasets have a two-dimensional table structure, where the rows typically represent cases (such as individuals or households) and the columns represent measurements (such as age, sex, or household income).
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SPSS Statistics places constraints on internal file structure, data types, data processing, and matching files, which together considerably simplify programming. (From version 20 onwards, these two scripting facilities, as well as many scripts, are included on the installation media and are normally installed by default.) From version 14 onwards, SPSS can be driven externally by a Python or a VB.NET program using supplied "plug-ins".
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In addition, the Python extension allows SPSS to run any of the statistics in the free software package R. This extension, introduced in SPSS 14, replaced the less functional SAX Basic "scripts" for most purposes, although SaxBasic remains available. A Python programmability extension can access the information in the data dictionary and data and dynamically build command syntax programs. Programs can be run interactively or unattended, using the supplied Production Job Facility.Ī "macro" language can be used to write command language subroutines. They can also be pasted into a syntax file using the "paste" button present in each menu. The pull-down menu interface also generates command syntax: this can be displayed in the output, although the default settings have to be changed to make the syntax visible to the user. Additionally, some complex applications can only be programmed in syntax and are not accessible through the menu structure. Command syntax programming has the benefits of reproducible output, simplifying repetitive tasks, and handling complex data manipulations and analyses. The many features of SPSS Statistics are accessible via pull-down menus or can be programmed with a proprietary 4GL command syntax language. In addition to statistical analysis, data management (case selection, file reshaping and creating derived data) and data documentation (a metadata dictionary is stored in the datafile) are features of the base software.
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The original SPSS manual (Nie, Bent & Hull, 1970) has been described as one of "sociology's most influential books" for allowing ordinary researchers to do their own statistical analysis. It is also used by market researchers, health researchers, survey companies, government, education researchers, marketing organizations, data miners, and others. SPSS is a widely used program for statistical analysis in social science. The software name originally stood for Statistical Package for the Social Sciences ( SPSS), reflecting the original market, then later changed to Statistical Product and Service Solutions. Versions of the software released since 2015 have the brand name IBM SPSS Statistics. Long produced by SPSS Inc., it was acquired by IBM in 2009. SPSS Statistics is a statistical software suite developed by IBM for data management, advanced analytics, multivariate analysis, business intelligence, and criminal investigation.
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