Jaclyn,

SPSS 8.0 also had the same option to change the default behavior. SPSS 7.5 and lower do not have the ability to change the default behavior.

Gail SPSS Technical Support.

-----Original Message----- From: Jaclyn Whitehorn [mailto:jaclyn@BAMA.UA.EDU] Sent: Wednesday, February 10, 1999 3:54 PM To: SPSSX-L@UGA.CC.UGA.EDU Subject: Y2K questions

Hello all,

I was wondering if someone out there could help me with some (basic) Y2K readiness questions for our users.

I am trying to determine how SPSS handles date-formatted values that are inputted with just a two-digit year. I have found the option in Windows 9.0 to specify the cutoff point. Unfortunately, I installed on top of 8.0 before I looked to see if it was available in earlier versions. We also use version 6.1 on UNIX, and I am sure we have some Mac users as well.

The preliminary information I plan on giving out is as follows. Any corrections, additions, suggestions would be greatly appreciated: 1. If possible, input all years with four digits :) 2. By default, years inputted with two digits are assumed to begin with 19__. 3. In SPSS 9.0 for Windows, you can change the default behavior by going to EDIT > OPTIONS and looking on the data tab. 4. I don't know if the default behavior can be changed in earlier versions of SPSS. (HELP!) 5. Obviously, none of this matters if you input your dates as string or numeric variables without date formatting.

I don't even want to get into whether the programs will run in 2000; I can wait until SPSS's Y2K site has statements for that. My only concern at this time is data integrity. Thanks for your attention! -- -------------------------------------------------- Jaclyn Whitehorn * User Service Consultant Seebeck Computer Center * University of Alabama jaclyn@bama.ua.edu * (205)348-8720