Merge files using SPSS 21

[Gary Stevens-2]

I have both version SPSS 21 and 18 on my computer.  I have always used the
wizard "Data\Merge Files\Add Variables" to successfully match files on a key
variable.
Now when I attempt to Merge files/Add Variables in 21, the merge fails.  I
understand that 21 uses the SQL command JOIN and doesn't need to sort the file.
The Key variable in both files is exactly the same in Name String Length
etc.  When the merge fails in v.21, I can go back and successfully merge in
v.18.
Why does the JOIN fail?  Thank you.

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[Lemon, John S.]

Gary

I believe that the FixPack one resolves one or two issues with JOIN - you can still use syntax to merge files using the same commands as in 18.

Best Wishes

John S. Lemon
IT Services - Student Liaison Officer
University of Aberdeen
Edward Wright Building:
Tel:  [phone]

DIT news for Students

-----Original Message-----
From: SPSSX(r) Discussion [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Gary Stevens
Sent: 18 March 2013 16:59
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Merge files using SPSS 21

I have both version SPSS 21 and 18 on my computer.  I have always used the wizard "Data\Merge Files\Add Variables" to successfully match files on a key variable.
Now when I attempt to Merge files/Add Variables in 21, the merge fails.  I understand that 21 uses the SQL command JOIN and doesn't need to sort the file.
The Key variable in both files is exactly the same in Name String Length etc.  When the merge fails in v.21, I can go back and successfully merge in v.18.
Why does the JOIN fail?  Thank you.

=====================
To manage your subscription to SPSSX-L, send a message to [hidden email] (not to SPSSX-L), with no body text except the command. To leave the list, send the command SIGNOFF SPSSX-L For a list of commands to manage subscriptions, send the command INFO REFCARD





The University of Aberdeen is a charity registered in Scotland, No SC013683.

=====================
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[Daniel Robertson]

The Fixpack documentation lists several fixes to STAR JOIN, although even after applying the fixpack I'm still seeing the procedure randomly drop cases, or match only the first 50 or so cases. As John points out, MATCH FILES syntax still works just fine. From the ADD VARIABLES dialog box, MATCH FILES syntax will be generated if you check the box next to "Cases are sorted in order of key variables in both datasets" .

--
Daniel Robertson
Senior Research and Planning Associate
Institutional Research and Planning
Cornell University / irp.cornell.edu

-----Original Message-----
From: SPSSX(r) Discussion [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Lemon, John
Sent: Monday, March 18, 2013 1:02 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [SPSSX-L] Merge files using SPSS 21

Gary

I believe that the FixPack one resolves one or two issues with JOIN - you can still use syntax to merge files using the same commands as in 18.

Best Wishes

John S. Lemon
IT Services - Student Liaison Officer
University of Aberdeen
Edward Wright Building:
Tel:  [phone]

DIT news for Students

-----Original Message-----
From: SPSSX(r) Discussion [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Gary Stevens
Sent: 18 March 2013 16:59
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Merge files using SPSS 21

I have both version SPSS 21 and 18 on my computer.  I have always used the wizard "Data\Merge Files\Add Variables" to successfully match files on a key variable.
Now when I attempt to Merge files/Add Variables in 21, the merge fails.  I understand that 21 uses the SQL command JOIN and doesn't need to sort the file.
The Key variable in both files is exactly the same in Name String Length etc.  When the merge fails in v.21, I can go back and successfully merge in v.18.
Why does the JOIN fail?  Thank you.

=====================
To manage your subscription to SPSSX-L, send a message to [hidden email] (not to SPSSX-L), with no body text except the command. To leave the list, send the command SIGNOFF SPSSX-L For a list of commands to manage subscriptions, send the command INFO REFCARD





The University of Aberdeen is a charity registered in Scotland, No SC013683.

=====================
To manage your subscription to SPSSX-L, send a message to [hidden email] (not to SPSSX-L), with no body text except the command. To leave the list, send the command SIGNOFF SPSSX-L For a list of commands to manage subscriptions, send the command INFO REFCARD

=====================
To manage your subscription to SPSSX-L, send a message to
[hidden email] (not to SPSSX-L), with no body text except the
command. To leave the list, send the command
SIGNOFF SPSSX-L
For a list of commands to manage subscriptions, send the command
INFO REFCARD