Documentation on Python spss aux module

[Ruben Geert van den Berg]

Dear all,
 
Where can I find some good documentation on the spss aux module from Python? I'd like to know which functions it contains and how these work, hopefully with some readable examples. I searched the Python.org site and googled but I only found a handful of examples which didn't help me much further.
 
TIA!

Ruben van den Berg
Consultant Models & Methods
TNS NIPO
Email: [hidden email]
Mobiel: [phone]
Telefoon: [phone]
Internet: www.tns-nipo.com

---

Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! MSN Messenger

[Jon K Peck]

Jon Peck
SPSS, an IBM Company
[hidden email]
312-651-3435

From:	Ruben van den Berg <[hidden email]>
To:	[hidden email]
Date:	06/02/2010 02:29 AM
Subject:	[SPSSX-L] Documentation on Python spss aux module
Sent by:	"SPSSX(r) Discussion" <[hidden email]>

---

Dear all,

Where can I find some good documentation on the spss aux module from Python? I'd like to know which functions it contains and how these work, hopefully with some readable examples. I searched the Python.org site and googled but I only found a handful of examples which didn't help me much further.

TIA!

There are examples of use of the spssaux module in the Programming and Data Management book downloadable from a link on Developer Central, but that is not intended as full documentation for the module.

Each function or class in the module starts with a docstring that explains its usage and details of the parameters.  You can just read the docstrings, or you can invoke help on a function from Python.  For example,
>>> help(spssaux.getShow)
Help on function getShow in module spssaux.spssaux:

getShow(item, olang=None)
    Return the output for "item" as a string, where item is a SHOW command keyword.
   
    Item must appear in the System Settings table. For the few items where there are multiple fields,
    the fields are separated with ";". An empty string will be returned for an invalid keyword.
    olang specifies the output language that should be set for the output, defaulting to current.
    An exception is raised if the olang is not available.

If you have a good Python IDE, it will help you explore these modules.  I recently blogged about my favorites on insideout.spss.com.

There is also a download on Dev Central with the combined help for most of the Python modules available there.  It is a collection of linked html files.

If you are exploring spssaux, I would also suggest looking at spssaux2 and spssdata.

HTH,
Jon Peck

p.s.I have a background project to upgrade the help for the Python modules to use a simple markup language, but I haven't gotten very far on that yet.


Ruben van den Berg
Consultant Models & Methods
TNS NIPO
Email: [hidden email]
Mobiel: [phone]
Telefoon: [phone]
Internet: www.tns-nipo.com

---

Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! MSN Messenger