Date:         Thu, 31 Aug 2006 08:49:08 -0400
Reply-To:     Sibusiso Moyo <smoyo@targetrx.com>
Sender:       "SPSSX(r) Discussion" <SPSSX-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From:         Sibusiso Moyo <smoyo@targetrx.com>
Subject:      Re: Learning to program in SPSS macros
Comments: To: Marta García-Granero <biostatistics@terra.es>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Once again your advice is appreciated,

Thanks!

-----Original Message-----
From: SPSSX(r) Discussion [mailto:SPSSX-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU]On Behalf Of
Marta García-Granero
Sent: Thursday, August 31, 2006 5:42 AM
To: SPSSX-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
Subject: Re: Learning to program in SPSS macros


Hi Sibusiso

SM> I use SPSS 14 everyday, and I must admit that I am tired of
SM> writting un-intelligent codes. So I am trying to learn programming
SM> in SPSS macros.

Wellcome to the club.

SM> Any suggestions in terms of what material I should
SM> look at for examples for a beginner?

The Command Syntax Reference is quite useful, at least, it's what I
used when I started programming macros. The DEFINE-!ENDDEFINE chapter
has a lot of examples, starting with very simple MACROs. There is also
another Chapter at the end: Using the MACRO facility with 3 examples
explained step by step.

Take also a look at the MACRO section of Ray's website:

http://www.spsstools.net/Macros.htm

SM> I currently have the 2003 version of SPSS Programming and
SM> Data Management by Ray Levesque.

Since you are using SPSS 14, if you want to learn how to use the
Programmability Extension, you should download the 3rd Edition of the
book

http://www.spss.com/spss/data_management_book.htm

If you want to learn, for the moment, only "classic" macro
programming, then the 2003 edition of the book is OK.


--
Regards,
Marta