Example syntax for sorting string or numeric variables by contents.

[Art Kendall]

In response to an earlier post on this list Jon Peck suggested using spssinc trans to sort variables
so I wrote this example syntax for my examples folder.

* sorting variables within cases by contents.
* the sort variables procedure does not sort on contents.
* this example syntax sorts string variables then numeric variables.
data list list (",") /id (f1) Category1 Category2 Category3(3a20).
begin data
   1,clothing,mens clothes,shirts
   2,accessories,womens,handbags
   3,mens clothes,shirts,clothing
end data.
*The input list of variables cannot use TO, the result list can use TO.
*The type is a single default value for all variables or a series of values.
* 0 for numeric, string length for strings.
*.
* sort string variables.
spssinc trans result = Cat1 TO Cat3 type=20
   /formula "sorted([Category1, Category2, Category3])".
*note that the new string are right justified.
execute.
*.
* sort numeric variables.
autorecode
   variables =  Category1  Category2  Category3
   /into       nCategory1 nCategory2 nCategory3
   /group /print.
spssinc trans result = nCat1 TO nCat3 type=0
   /formula "sorted([nCategory1, nCategory2, nCategory3])".
formats nCat1 to nCat3 (f2).
*spssinc trans /help.