16.4.12 The MSAVE Command

MSAVE expression
      /TYPE={COV | CORR | MEAN | STDDEV | N | COUNT}
      [/FACTOR=expression]
      [/SPLIT=expression]
      [/OUTFILE=file]
      [/VARIABLES=variable…]
      [/SNAMES=variable…]
      [/FNAMES=variable…].

The MSAVE command evaluates the expression specified just after the command name, and writes the resulting matrix to a matrix file (see Matrix Files).

The TYPE subcommand is required. It specifies the ROWTYPE_ to write along with this matrix.

The FACTOR and SPLIT subcommands are required on the first MSAVE if and only if the matrix file has factor or split variables, respectively. After that, their values are carried along from one MSAVE command to the next in syntax order as defaults. Each one takes an expression that must evaluate to a vector with the same number of entries as the matrix has factor or split variables, respectively. Each MSAVE only writes data for a single combination of factor and split variables, so many MSAVE commands (or one inside a loop) may be needed to write a complete set.

The remaining MSAVE subcommands define the format of the matrix file. All of the MSAVE commands within a given matrix program write to the same matrix file, so these subcommands are only meaningful on the first MSAVE command within a matrix program. (If they are given again on later MSAVE commands, then they must have the same values as on the first.)

The OUTFILE subcommand specifies the name or handle of the matrix file to be written. Output must go to an external file, not a data set or the active file.

The VARIABLES subcommand specifies a comma-separated list of the names of the continuous variables to be written to the matrix file. The TO keyword can be used to define variables named with consecutive integer suffixes. These names become column names and names that appear in VARNAME_ in the matrix file. ROWTYPE_ and VARNAME_ are not allowed on VARIABLES. If VARIABLES is omitted, then PSPP uses the names COL1, COL2, and so on.

The FNAMES subcommand may be used to supply a comma-separated list of factor variable names. The default names are FAC1, FAC2, and so on.

The SNAMES subcommand can supply a comma-separated list of split variable names. The default names are SPL1, SPL2, and so on.