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5.9 Variable Records

Each variable record represents a single variable. Variable records have tag code ‘7’. They have the following structure:

• Width (integer). This is 0 for a numeric variable, and a number between 1 and 255 for a string variable.
• Name (string). 1–8 characters long. Must be in all capitals.

  A few portable files that contain duplicate variable names have been spotted in the wild. PSPP handles these by renaming the duplicates with numeric extensions: var_1, var_2, and so on.

• Print format. This is a set of three integer fields:
  • Format type (see Variable Record).
  • Format width. 1–40.
  • Number of decimal places. 1–40.

  A few portable files with invalid format types or formats that are not of the appropriate width for their variables have been spotted in the wild. PSPP assigns a default F or A format to a variable with an invalid format.

• Write format. Same structure as the print format described above.

Each variable record can optionally be followed by a missing value record, which has tag code ‘8’. A missing value record has one field, the missing value itself (a floating-point or string, as appropriate). Up to three of these missing value records can be used.

There is also a record for missing value ranges, which has tag code ‘B’. It is followed by two fields representing the range, which are floating-point or string as appropriate. If a missing value range is present, it may be followed by a single missing value record.

Tag codes ‘9’ and ‘A’ represent LO THRU x and x THRU HI ranges, respectively. Each is followed by a single field representing x. If one of the ranges is present, it may be followed by a single missing value record.

In addition, each variable record can optionally be followed by a variable label record, which has tag code ‘C’. A variable label record has one field, the variable label itself (string).