Scripting Facility
The scripting facility allows you to automate tasks, including:
- Opening and saving data files.
- Exporting charts as graphic files in a variety of formats.
- Customizing output in the Viewer.
The available scripting languages depend on your platform. For Windows, the available scripting languages are Basic, which is installed with the Core system, and the Python programming language. For all other platforms, scripting is available with the Python programming language.
To use scripting with the Python programming language, you need IBM® SPSS® Statistics - Essentials for Python, which is installed by default with your IBM SPSS Statistics product.
Default Script Language
The default script language determines the script editor that is launched when new scripts are created. It also specifies the default language whose executable will be used to run autoscripts. On Windows, the default script language is Basic. You can change the default language from the Scripts tab in the Options dialog. See the topic Script options for more information.
Sample Scripts
A number of scripts are included with the software, in the Samples subdirectory of the directory where IBM SPSS Statistics is installed. You can use these scripts as they are or you can customize them to your needs.
To Create a New Script
- From the menus choose:
The editor associated with the default script language opens.
To Run a Script
- From the menus choose:
- Select the script you want.
- Click Run.
Python scripts can be run in a number of ways, other than from Utilities>Run Script. See the topic Scripting with the Python Programming Language for more information.
To Edit a Script
- From the menus choose:
- Select the script you want.
- Click Open.
The script is opened in the editor associated with the language in which the script is written.