Getting SPSS scripts to run in the background

[Björn Türoque]

I have written a script that will create about 15 custom tables, and
depending on the size of the dataset, takes me anywhere from 2 to 10 minutes
to run. I would like to have SPSS run in the background and be able to check
my e-mail or work on another task while the script is running, but every
time SPSS puts a new table into the output window, the output window moves
to the front of my screen, no matter how many times I minimize it. Is there
a setting in SPSS or a way to get this script to run in the background so I
can complete other tasks while I let SPSS do its work.

[ViAnn Beadle]

Go to Edit>Options and look the lower right corner of the general tab.

-----Original Message-----
From: SPSSX(r) Discussion [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Don
Asay
Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2007 10:06 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Getting SPSS scripts to run in the background

I have written a script that will create about 15 custom tables, and
depending on the size of the dataset, takes me anywhere from 2 to 10 minutes
to run. I would like to have SPSS run in the background and be able to check
my e-mail or work on another task while the script is running, but every
time SPSS puts a new table into the output window, the output window moves
to the front of my screen, no matter how many times I minimize it. Is there
a setting in SPSS or a way to get this script to run in the background so I
can complete other tasks while I let SPSS do its work.

[Melissa Ives]

Don,

That has 'Open syntax window at start-up'-which opens a new syntax file
when SPSS is opened.  I think the one you want to uncheck is 'Raise
Viewer Window' and maybe 'Scroll to new output' on the general tab left
side under 'Notification'.

Melissa

-----Original Message-----
From: SPSSX(r) Discussion [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of
ViAnn Beadle
Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2007 11:15 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [SPSSX-L] Getting SPSS scripts to run in the background

Go to Edit>Options and look the lower right corner of the general tab.

-----Original Message-----
From: SPSSX(r) Discussion [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of
Don Asay
Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2007 10:06 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Getting SPSS scripts to run in the background

I have written a script that will create about 15 custom tables, and
depending on the size of the dataset, takes me anywhere from 2 to 10
minutes to run. I would like to have SPSS run in the background and be
able to check my e-mail or work on another task while the script is
running, but every time SPSS puts a new table into the output window,
the output window moves to the front of my screen, no matter how many
times I minimize it. Is there a setting in SPSS or a way to get this
script to run in the background so I can complete other tasks while I
let SPSS do its work.


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[Nico Munting]

I am not sure whether Don means the SPSS Viewer or the SPSS Data Editor.
Melissa's solution would solve the first problem. I have a similar problem,
but it concerns the SPSS Data Editor window.

This window will come forward whenever an EXECUTE or any other command
which reads the dataset has finished running all pending transformations.
For some scripts that I run (with frequent table updates), this means that
I cannot work whilst the script is running, because the SPSS Data Editor
(not the SPSS Viewer for Output) keeps popping up over whatever it is that
I am doing. Does anyone have a solution to stop this from happening?

Nico



On Wed, 6 Jun 2007 08:40:04 -0500, Melissa Ives <[hidden email]> wrote:

>Don,
>
>That has 'Open syntax window at start-up'-which opens a new syntax file
>when SPSS is opened.  I think the one you want to uncheck is 'Raise
>Viewer Window' and maybe 'Scroll to new output' on the general tab left
>side under 'Notification'.
>
>Melissa
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: SPSSX(r) Discussion [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of
>ViAnn Beadle
>Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2007 11:15 AM
>To: [hidden email]
>Subject: Re: [SPSSX-L] Getting SPSS scripts to run in the background
>
>Go to Edit>Options and look the lower right corner of the general tab.
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: SPSSX(r) Discussion [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of
>Don Asay
>Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2007 10:06 AM
>To: [hidden email]
>Subject: Getting SPSS scripts to run in the background
>
>I have written a script that will create about 15 custom tables, and
>depending on the size of the dataset, takes me anywhere from 2 to 10
>minutes to run. I would like to have SPSS run in the background and be
>able to check my e-mail or work on another task while the script is
>running, but every time SPSS puts a new table into the output window,
>the output window moves to the front of my screen, no matter how many
>times I minimize it. Is there a setting in SPSS or a way to get this
>script to run in the background so I can complete other tasks while I
>let SPSS do its work.
>
>
>PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
>This transmittal and any attachments may contain PRIVILEGED AND
>CONFIDENTIAL information and is intended only for the use of the
>addressee. If you are not the designated recipient, or an employee
>or agent authorized to deliver such transmittals to the designated
>recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination,
>copying or publication of this transmittal is strictly prohibited. If
>you have received this transmittal in error, please notify us
>immediately by replying to the sender and delete this copy from your
>system. You may also call us at [phone] for assistance.