SPSS On-Line Training Workshop

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SPSS Program - Syntax Editor Window

In this Tutorial:

Syntax Editor
Window

Running
the command

Journal File

In many computer languages like C++, we need to write a program and run the program just like a batch job. We obtain output and check if the results are what we need. If something is not done properly, we change the program and re-submit the job again until we obtain the results we need. In the SPSS for Windows, you can do the same thing with much less hustle. This is done by using the SYNTAX EDITOR window to obtain an SPSS Program.

When do you need to create an SPSS program in a PC environment?

All of the process you need from data entry, data manipulation, and data analysis to output results can be done using Pull-Down menus as demonstrated in previous movie clips. However, if you need to conduct the same analysis more than one time, you may find SPSS Program very handy. This allows you to run the same program as many times as needed. It also allows you to make minor changes for various analyses and then rerun the program.

Click on the following movie clip to learn how to create an SPSS syntax program, modify and execute the program, as well as how to locate the SPSS programs, called Journal Files, that are automatically saved by SPSS.

MOVIE: Syntax Editor and Journal Files

In this on-line workshop, you will find many movie clips. Each movie clip will demonstrate some specific usage of SPSS.

Creating an SPSS program using the Syntax Editor Window

The Syntax Editor window does not exist until you create an SPSS program. There are several ways to create an SPSS program in the SPSS/PC environment.

Create SPSS program command lines when using the Pull-Down menu.

For example, you want to perform a crosstab analysis. You go to the “Analyze” Menu, go down to “Descriptives” and select “Crosstab”. A dialog box appears for you to enter the necessary information. On the right top corner inside the dialog box, you see a button “Paste”. This button translates your instruction from the dialog box into SPSS command lines.

	After you complete the dialog box instruction, if you click on the “OK” button, then, these instructions are performed right away.
	However, if you click on the “Paste” button, the SPSS system will translate these instructions into SPSS command lines and store them in the Syntax Editor Window. At this time, the Syntax Editor Window is created. The instructions you entered into the dialog box are NOT performed. They are now in the Syntax Editor Window waiting for you to edit or to run.

Create SPSS program command lines by creating a new syntax editor window, and key in an SPSS program.

To do this, go to the File Menu, go down to “New”, and select “Syntax”. A new syntax editor window is now created. You can enter your own SPSS program.

To run an existing SPSS program which is not created using SPSS for Windows.

You may have an old SPSS program that was created using the main frame or some other way. You have the source code, now you would like to run the program using SPSS for Windows.

	Open your SPSS program as a PC word processing file or a text file.
	Create a new Syntax Editor window by selecting “File”, “New” and then, “Syntax”.
	Copy your SPSS program statements and paste them into the new syntax editor window. Now you have your old SPSS program in the syntax editor window. You are ready to run this program (assuming you also have your data set read into the Data Editor Window).

You have completed all the data entry, data manipulation, data analysis and output results. Before you exit from the SPSS system, you feel like keeping a copy of all the SPSS commands that you have conducted, but you did not select “Paste” when you performed the activities. Are these SPSS commands still available?

	YES, these commands are always recorded in a file called “Journal”. This file contains all of the activities that you conducted since you started to run this current SPSS session. Click on Journal File to learn more about this file.
	This file is located on your hard drive (usually the C-drive, see ‘Where to locate the Journal file’). Open the file using any text editor such as Notepad or MS Words.
	Copy the part of the SPSS command lines and paste them into the Syntax Editor Window.

Running the SPSS commands in the Syntax Editor window

Once you have created any SPSS command lines in the Syntax Editor window, you can run ALL of the commands or run a selection of commands at any time.

	To run all of the commands in the window: Go to the menu "Run" on the top of the Syntax window, choose "ALL" to run all commands. The results will appear in the Output Editor Window.
	To run only part of the commands: First highlight the commands you wish to run, then go to the "Run" Menu, choose "Selection". The results will appear in the Output Window.

Creating a Journal File

This Journal, by default, is a file that appends all of your SPSS activities since you begin to use the SPSS for Windows the first time. This means that after a time period, this file may grow too large that it will occupy a large space in your hard drive.

In order to record ONLY the activities of the current session, you need to change an OPTION under the Edit Menu. (For information on the edit options, click on the MOVIE CLIP: Editing Options.)

	Go to the Edit menu; go down to “Options” to edit the Options for running SPSS program.
	The dialog box shows the “General” options, by default. Change the “Session Journal” from “Append” to “Overwrite”. Click on “OK”. Note: You may simply use the default option for the Journal File using “Append” option if the hard disk space is not a problem.

Click the following movie clip to learn how to create a Journal File.

MOVIE CLIP: Editing Options

Where to locate the Journal File?

Go to “Edit” menu in the Data Editor Window and click on “Options…” This displays various options that are available. Click on “File Locations” tab. You will see the location of Session Journal file. You can click on “Browse…” to display the file name at its current location. Note that you will not be able to open the file until you are no longer running SPSS for Windows. You can copy this file “spss.jnl” at any other time to create your SPSS program in the Syntax Editor Window.

The following movie clip demonstrates how to locate the Journal File.

MOVIE: Create/run SPSS programs and locate Journal Files

©This online SPSS Training Workshop is developed by Dr Carl Lee, Dr Felix Famoye , student assistants Barbara Shelden and Albert Brown , Department of Mathematics, Central Michigan University. All rights reserved.