SPSS® 12.0 Command Syntax Reference

Defining Complex Files 1711
tion, took reading tests (word identification and comprehension tests). The second
student completed writing tests (handwriting, spelling, vocabulary, and grammar tests).
Test code (READING or WRITING) indicates whether the record contains reading or
writing scores.
Table C.3 Academic test data for two students
Student 1
Test ID Grade Word Compre
READING 1 04 65 35
Student 2
Test ID Grade Handwrit Spelling Vocab Grammar
WRITING 2 03 50 55 30 25
The following commands define the test data:
FILE TYPE MIXED RECORD=TEST 1-7(A).
RECORD TYPE ’READING’.
DATA LIST / ID 9-10 GRADE 12-13 WORD 15-16 COMPRE 18-19.
RECORD TYPE ’WRITING’.
DATA LIST / ID 9-10 GRADE 12-13 HANDWRIT 15-16 SPELLING 18-19
VOCAB 21-22 GRAMMAR 24-25.
END FILE TYPE.
BEGIN DATA
READING 1 04 65 35
WRITING 2 03 50 55 30 25
END DATA.
LIST.
• FILE TYPE specifies that the data contain mixed record types. RECORD reads the
record identifier (variable TEST) in columns 1 through 7.
• One pair of RECORD TYPE and DATA LIST statements is coded for each record type in
the file. The program reads variables ID, GRADE, WORD, and COMPRE in the record
in which the value of TEST is READING, and ID, GRADE, HANDWRIT, SPELLING,
VOCAB, and GRAMMAR in the WRITING record.
• END FILE TYPE signals the end of file definition.
• BEGIN DATA and END DATA indicate that data are inline. Data are mixed, since some
column positions contain different variables for the two cases. For example, word
identification score is recorded in columns 15 and 16 for student 1. For student 2,
handwriting score is recorded in these columns.