matching

[fevziesen]

Hi all,

I have a problem with data.

I want to create a new variable like "dd"

here is my dataset,

each column presents a variable,

a          b         dd

23         .        23/20
20        20      20/20
45         .        45/12
15         .        15/12
33         .        33/12
40         .        40/12
20        12       20/12


here is my question. There is a table with 3 variables. The last one "dd" created later. The "b" at the first raw is empty. I want to consider the next filled "b" value to divide 23 at the first raw and column. For instance, 45 at the third raw. I want to go till I see a filled value, "12" to divide.

What is the syntax for this?

[Bruce Weaver]

I don't have access to SPSS right now, so this is untested.  It assumes that the last record in your actual file has a valid value for variable b.  

STRING dd (A5).
COMPUTE @order = $casenum.
SORT CASES by @order(d).
IF NOT MISSING(b) #b = b.
COMPUTE dd = CONCAT(STRING(a,N2), "/", STRING(#b, N2)).
EXECUTE.
SORT CASES by @order(a).
DELETE VARIABLES @order.

Note that scratch variables (e.g., #b) retain their value from one case to the next, so once #b has been set equal to b, it retains that value until the next valid b occurs.  

HTH.

fevziesen wrote

Hi all,

I have a problem with data.

I want to create a new variable like "dd"

here is my dataset,

each column presents a variable,

a          b         dd

23         .        23/20
20        20      20/20
45         .        45/12
15         .        15/12
33         .        33/12
40         .        40/12
20        12       20/12


here is my question. There is a table with 3 variables. The last one "dd" created later. The "b" at the first raw is empty. I want to consider the next filled "b" value to divide 23 at the first raw and column. For instance, 45 at the third raw. I want to go till I see a filled value, "12" to divide.

What is the syntax for this?

[David Marso]

Using AGGREGATE

IF $CASENUM=1 #=1.
IF NOT(MISSING(Lag(b))) #=#+1.
COMPUTE GP=#.
AGGREGATE OUTFILE * MODE=ADDVARIABLES / BREAK GP / new=LAST(b).

Do whatever you need to do with the result.
I don't see any practical use for a variable formatted as 21/12 or such...Whatever rocks your world.

[fevziesen]

thx David,

It is 21 divided by 12. it will be a new variable. Otherwise it is meaningless :)

[Bruce Weaver]

In that case, the syntax I posted earlier should be changed to:

COMPUTE @order = $casenum.
SORT CASES by @order(d).
IF NOT MISSING(b) #b = b.
COMPUTE dd = a/#b.
EXECUTE.
SORT CASES by @order(a).
DELETE VARIABLES @order.

fevziesen wrote

thx David,

It is 21 divided by 12. it will be a new variable. Otherwise it is meaningless :)