RECODE if using 2 var to create new var

[Joan]

I am a low-level, basic user and I’m trying to generate a new variable using two existing variables. I've looked for instructions online, without success.

Here’s the logic.  
Var1 = Location of Prisoner before transfer (locations are numeric codes)
Var2 = Location of Prisoner after transfer.  (locations are numeric codes)

The new variable (var3) I need to generate represents the “TransferType.”

If a prisoner goes from prison1 to prison2, the transfer type would =3.  If a prisoner goes from prison1 to parole, the transfer type would = 1; etc…

I have tried generating a new variable and then using the RECODE IF function, but can’t get it to accept my logic (it will only allow one use of an old value).

I don't know much about syntax, but am learning a lot by using the paste function.  
Thanks for your help on this.
Joan Schwartz

[David Marso]

IF (oldvar1 EQ value AND oldvar2 EQ value) newvar= VALUE.
--

Joan wrote

I am a low-level, basic user and I’m trying to generate a new variable using two existing variables. I've looked for instructions online, without success.

Here’s the logic.  
Var1 = Location of Prisoner before transfer (locations are numeric codes)
Var2 = Location of Prisoner after transfer.  (locations are numeric codes)

The new variable (var3) I need to generate represents the “TransferType.”

If a prisoner goes from prison1 to prison2, the transfer type would =3.  If a prisoner goes from prison1 to parole, the transfer type would = 1; etc…

I have tried generating a new variable and then using the RECODE IF function, but can’t get it to accept my logic (it will only allow one use of an old value).

I don't know much about syntax, but am learning a lot by using the paste function.  
Thanks for your help on this.
Joan Schwartz

[Bruce Weaver]

Here's a variation that may involve less RSI, depending on the number of values the two variables can have.  Suppose each variable has values 1-3, for example.

COMPUTE newvar = oldvar1*10 + oldvar2.
RECODE newvar
 (11 = value)
 (12 = value)
 (13 = value)
 (21 = value)
 etc
 (33 = value).

Then use VALUE LABELS to assign labels to the different values of newvar.

And before Art beats me to it, recoding a variable into itself is often not a good idea, because you can end up in a situation where you lose the original information, and cannot start over if necessary.  But in a case like this, where newvar is generated from oldvar1 and oldvar2, you can restart with no loss of information (because oldvar1 and oldvar2 have not been modified), so I see no problem with it.

HTH.

David Marso wrote

IF (oldvar1 EQ value AND oldvar2 EQ value) newvar= VALUE.
--

Joan wrote

I am a low-level, basic user and I’m trying to generate a new variable using two existing variables. I've looked for instructions online, without success.

Here’s the logic.  
Var1 = Location of Prisoner before transfer (locations are numeric codes)
Var2 = Location of Prisoner after transfer.  (locations are numeric codes)

The new variable (var3) I need to generate represents the “TransferType.”

If a prisoner goes from prison1 to prison2, the transfer type would =3.  If a prisoner goes from prison1 to parole, the transfer type would = 1; etc…

I have tried generating a new variable and then using the RECODE IF function, but can’t get it to accept my logic (it will only allow one use of an old value).

I don't know much about syntax, but am learning a lot by using the paste function.  
Thanks for your help on this.
Joan Schwartz

[David Marso]

Please expand on etc...and a fuller explanation of the possible outcome values.
Is the new value ALWAYS 1 or 3?
The more info provided in initial posts saves much guess work!
--

Joan wrote

I am a low-level, basic user and I’m trying to generate a new variable using two existing variables. I've looked for instructions online, without success.

Here’s the logic.  
Var1 = Location of Prisoner before transfer (locations are numeric codes)
Var2 = Location of Prisoner after transfer.  (locations are numeric codes)

The new variable (var3) I need to generate represents the “TransferType.”

If a prisoner goes from prison1 to prison2, the transfer type would =3.  If a prisoner goes from prison1 to parole, the transfer type would = 1; etc…

I have tried generating a new variable and then using the RECODE IF function, but can’t get it to accept my logic (it will only allow one use of an old value).

I don't know much about syntax, but am learning a lot by using the paste function.  
Thanks for your help on this.
Joan Schwartz