V16 Tables Problem Resolution

[Steve Runfeldt]

I received some help with one of the problems I have been having with large
output tables in SPSS 16. The Output Viewer uses Java.  Java has had some
issues with handling of memory, so with larger tables you may need to
enlarge the Java memory allocation on your system.  The fix below requires
you to go into My Computer, Properties, Advanced, Environmental Variables,
and then enter the variable and value given below.  I tried this yesterday
and have had no problems since.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From Dave at SPSS Technical Support:

We have Resolution 73997 on file for this issue.

Problem Summary:
Performance issues working with large tables in SPSS 16.0

Problem Description:
I am using SPSS 16.0. I produce output which can contain somewhat large
tables.

In previous versions of SPSS, the job runs to completion quickly (~15
seconds or less). On the same system with SPSS 16.0.0, this job takes a long
time or never completes. The application may go gray and unresponsive.

If the output generates, I have similar trouble editing, copying/pasting,
exporting or printing the larger tables. For instance, it may take several
seconds to copy the table or I am unable to print.

Is there any way I can improve this behavior?

Resolution Summary:
The following workaround may help in this situation.

Resolution Description:
If you are running out of memory performing any operations with large tables
or if your jobs are taking a long time to run, we recommend temporarily
adjusting the Maximum Java Heap Size for the client system.

On Linux and Windows, this heap can be adjusted upwards by creating a system
environment variable, called ‘SPSSClientMaxHeapLevel’, on each SPSS client.
This variable can be set to values 1, 2, or 3 where 1 = 512MB 2 = 768MB and
3 = 1024. 1 is the default value. E.g.,

Variable: SPSSClientMaxHeapLevel
Value: 2

For Macintosh, the info.plist file needs to be edited. Info.plist, found in
/Applications/SPSSInc/SPSS16/SPSS16.0.app/Contents/Info.plist is an XML file
which contains the setting. If you wish to change the max heap value, you
need to do the following:

1. In Terminal, type:
$ cd /Applications/SPSSInc/SPSS16/SPSS16.0.app/Contents
2. Create a copy of the Info.plist file for safekeeping:
$ cp Info.plist Info.plist.keep
3. Edit the Info.plist file. For instance, If you want to increase the max
heap size to 768MB, you'd change: -Xmx512M to -Xmx768M
$ vi Info.plist (search for "-Xmx512M", make the change in vi, then save
Info.plist)

Please note: The drawback of setting Maximum Java Heap Size too high is that
it will take available memory away from the backend in single-seat mode,
potentially limiting other procedures that can be run (if they require a lot
of RAM) and possibly introducing video display problems.

We are continually working to improve performance in all areas. We apologize
for any inconvenience.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Regards,

Steve


Steve Runfeldt
Senior Account Executive/ Quantitative Research
Schwartz Consulting Partners
5027 W. Laurel Street
Tampa, FL  33607
813-207-0332 X 233 (work)
813-431-1840 (mobile)
[hidden email]
http://schwartzconsulting.com/

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