SPSS® 12.0 Command Syntax Reference

Universals
This part of the SPSS Syntax Reference Guide discusses general topics pertinent to using
command syntax. The topics are divided into five sections:
• Commands explains command syntax, including command specification, command order,
and running commands in different modes. In this section, you will learn how to
read syntax charts, which summarize command syntax in diagrams and provide an easy
reference. Discussions of individual commands are found in an alphabetical reference in
the next part of this manual.
• Files discusses different types of files used by the program. Terms frequently mentioned
in this manual are defined. This section provides an overview of how files are handled.
• Variables contains important information on general rules and conventions concerning
variables and variable definition. In this section, you will find detailed information on
variable formats.
• Transformation Expressions describes expressions that can be used in data transformation.
Functions and operators are defined and illustrated. In this section, you will find a
complete list of available functions and how to use them.
• Date and Time deals with functions and formats used with date and time expressions. In
this section, you will find ways to read and convert date and time, use them in analysis,
and display them in output.
Commands
Commands are the instructions that you give the program to initiate an action. For the program
to interpret your commands correctly, you must follow certain rules.
Syntax Diagrams
Each command described in this manual includes a syntax diagram that shows all the subcommands,
keywords, and specifications allowed for that command. By recognizing symbols
and different type fonts, you can use the syntax diagram as a quick reference for any
command. Figure 1 is an example.
• Lines of text in italics indicate limitation or operation mode of the command.
• Elements shown in upper case are keywords defined by SPSS to identify commands,
subcommands, functions, operators, and other specifications. In Figure 1, T-TEST is the
command and GROUPS is a subcommand.
• Elements in lower case describe specifications you supply. For example, varlist indicates
that you need to supply a list of variables.
• Elements in bold are defaults. SPSS supports two types of defaults. When the default is
followed by **, as ANALYSIS** is in Figure 1, the default (ANALYSIS) is in effect if the
3