Statistical software is required in order to define, manipulate, extract, and analyze variables and cases within data files. SAS data definition statements can be used to generate native SAS file formats such as SAS data sets and SAS transport files.
Formats replace original value codes with value code descriptions.
Not all variables necessarily have user-defined formats. Assigns descriptive labels to all variables. Variable labels and variable names may be identical for some variables. Only variables with user-defined missing values are included in the statements. SPSS Data Definition Statements SPSS data definition statements can be used to generate native SPSS file formats such as SPSS system files and SPSS export files.