Copy string variable by condition

[jfca283]

Hi
I'm a bit lost with a simple task.
I have 2 variables, X and Y.
Both are string. I need to create Z as this
If Y is missing, just do Z=X.
Else Z=Y.
I tried something like
Do if missing(y)
compute z=y
else z=y
end if
execute
but it didn't work.
Can you helpm me?
Thanks

[David Marso]

First off, you don't indicate whether you initialized z (look up STRING command in the FM)!
You are also missing command terminators!
In the future you should do yourself and us a favor by posting the exact error messages/specifics of what 'it didn't work' means.
--

jfca283 wrote

Hi
I'm a bit lost with a simple task.
I have 2 variables, X and Y.
Both are string. I need to create Z as this
If Y is missing, just do Z=X.
Else Z=Y.
I tried something like
Do if missing(y)
compute z=y
else z=y
end if
execute
but it didn't work.
Can you helpm me?
Thanks

[David Marso]

Also,
else z=y
is malformed.
See examples of DO IF in the FM.

[jfca283]

Please, don't answer this topic.
Really your attitude is so rude.

[Rick Oliver-3]

Without examining your code, the first issue that springs to mind is: Have you defined user-missing values for your strings? There is no system-missing value for strings. A blank string is considered a valid value unless you define it as missing.

If you assumed blanks strings are treated as missing, you could either define a blank string as user missing or try DO IF Y=''.

Rick Oliver
Senior Information Developer
IBM Business Analytics (SPSS)
E-mail: [hidden email]



From:        jfca283 <[hidden email]>
To:        [hidden email]
Date:        11/24/2014 10:49 AM
Subject:        Copy string variable by condition
Sent by:        "SPSSX(r) Discussion" <[hidden email]>

---

Hi
I'm a bit lost with a simple task.
I have 2 variables, X and Y.
Both are string. I need to create Z as this
If Y is missing, just do Z=X.
Else Z=Y.
I tried something like
*Do if missing(y)
compute z=y
else z=y
end if
execute
*but it didn't work.
Can you helpm me?
Thanks



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[Bruce Weaver]

In the spirit of teaching someone how to fish rather than handing them a fish, I suggest you try Google searches on the following terms:

1. spss create new string variable
2. spss do if

You should find some relevant examples in the search results.  

jfca283 wrote

Hi
I'm a bit lost with a simple task.
I have 2 variables, X and Y.
Both are string. I need to create Z as this
If Y is missing, just do Z=X.
Else Z=Y.
I tried something like
Do if missing(y)
compute z=y
else z=y
end if
execute
but it didn't work.
Can you helpm me?
Thanks

[David Marso]

What a sad, silly person you are!
If you interpreted my comment as rude then you need to sprout a skin!
I will offer no more interdiction to any of your future rookie flailing episodes!
--

jfca283 wrote

Please, don't answer this topic.
Really your attitude is so rude.