Syntax for creating a third variable

[E. Bernardo]

Hi SPSS users,

 

Resending the relevant but neglected post a couple of days..

 

I have two variables X and Y, where X have no missing values while Y have many missing values.  I want to create a third variable Z whose values are the values of Y and the missing values of Y are replace with the values of X.  The data structure looks like below:

 

X     Y        Z

a     f         f

b              b

c     g       g

d              d

e              e

 

Do you know of a syntax to create Z? 

 

Thank you.

Eins

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[Keith Jackman]



Eins,

 

I would set Z equal to X and then reassign to Y if Y exists. 

 

So...

 

STRING z (A8).

COMPUTE z=x.

IF (Y>"") z=y.

 

Keith

 

----- Original Message -----

From: [hidden email]

To: [hidden email]

Sent: Wednesday, March 18, 2009 10:17 PM

Subject: Syntax for creating a third variable

Hi SPSS users,

 

Resending the relevant but neglected post a couple of days..

 

I have two variables X and Y, where X have no missing values while Y have many missing values.  I want to create a third variable Z whose values are the values of Y and the missing values of Y are replace with the values of X.  The data structure looks like below:

 

X     Y        Z

a     f         f

b              b

c     g       g

d              d

e              e

 

Do you know of a syntax to create Z? 

 

Thank you.

Eins

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[Art Kendall]

Open a new instance of SPSS.  Copy the syntax below to a syntax file.
Click <run>. Click <all>.
is this what you are looking for?


data list list/ X     Y        Want (3a1).
begin data
a     f         f
b     ''         b
c     g       g
d     ''         d
e      ''        e
end data.
list.
string z (a1).
compute z=y.
if y eq '' z=x.
LIST .

Art Kendall
Social Research Consultants

Eins Bernardo wrote:

> Hi SPSS users,
>
> Resending the relevant but neglected post a couple of days..
>
> I have two variables X and Y, where X have no missing values while Y
> have many missing values.  I want to create a third variable Z whose
> values are the values of Y and the missing values of Y are replace
> with the values of X.  The data structure looks like below:
>
> X     Y        Z
> a     f         f
> b              b
> c     g       g
> d              d
> e              e
>
> Do you know of a syntax to create Z?
>
> Thank you.
> Eins
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
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[Guerrero, Rodrigo]

Try this.

 

COMPUTE X=Z.

IF  (MISSING(Y)) Z=Y.

EXECUTE.

 

 

RG

 

Rodrigo A. Guerrero | Director Of Marketing Research and Analysis | The Scooter Store | 830.627.4317

 

From: SPSSX(r) Discussion [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Eins Bernardo
Sent: Thursday, March 19, 2009 12:18 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Syntax for creating a third variable

 

Hi SPSS users,

 

Resending the relevant but neglected post a couple of days..

 

I have two variables X and Y, where X have no missing values while Y have many missing values.  I want to create a third variable Z whose values are the values of Y and the missing values of Y are replace with the values of X.  The data structure looks like below:

 

X     Y        Z

a     f         f

b              b

c     g       g

d              d

e              e

 

Do you know of a syntax to create Z? 

 

Thank you.

Eins

 

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[statisticsdoc]



Eins,

 

I see that you have received a number of good responses for this question as it pertains to the example you gave, which has alphanumeric data.  Should you ever need to apply a similar procedure with numeric data, use:

 

if (NOT MISSING(y)) z = y .

if (missing(y) ) z = x .

exe .

Best,

Stephen Brand

 

-----Original Message-----
From: SPSSX(r) Discussion [mailto:[hidden email]]On Behalf Of Eins Bernardo
Sent: Thursday, March 19, 2009 1:18 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Syntax for creating a third variable

Hi SPSS users,

 

Resending the relevant but neglected post a couple of days..

 

I have two variables X and Y, where X have no missing values while Y have many missing values.  I want to create a third variable Z whose values are the values of Y and the missing values of Y are replace with the values of X.  The data structure looks like below:

 

X     Y        Z

a     f         f

b              b

c     g       g

d              d

e              e

 

Do you know of a syntax to create Z? 

 

Thank you.

Eins

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