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Re: st: Re: help on outfile to fixed formatted text file


From   Steven Dubnoff <[email protected]>
To   [email protected]
Subject   Re: st: Re: help on outfile to fixed formatted text file
Date   Tue, 25 Oct 2005 11:00:34 -0700


You are on the right track with -outfile-, but not with a dictionary. Instead, use the runtogether option. You will most likely need to convert all numeric variables to strings with the desired formatting and may also need to pad strings. You can then order the variables and use the runtogether option in outfile.

If you have Stat/Transfer, you can avoid all of that work by picking a fixed format output option. Your file will be written automatically with each variable in the narrowest width that preserves its precision. Optionally, Stat/Trannsfer will produce dictionaries or programs to read the data back into SAS, SPSS, Stata or Stat/Transfer.

As an aside, we recommend this option to all who are storing their data for the long term. We frequently receive calls for help from those who need to read files created on obsolete hardware and/or software platforms. If your data are in ASCII and are properly described, you will be able to read them in the future.

Best,

Steve




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Steven Dubnoff [email protected]
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