Databases (GET TRANSLATE command)

Database tables are logically very similar to IBM® SPSS® Statistics data files.

  • By default, all fields and records from dBASE II, dBASE III, or dBASE IV files are included in the active dataset.
  • Field names are automatically translated into variable names. If the FIELDNAMES subcommand is used with database files, it is ignored.
  • Field names are converted to valid IBM SPSS Statistics variable names.
  • Colons used in dBASE II field names are translated to underscores.
  • Records in dBASE II, dBASE III, or dBASE IV that have been marked for deletion but that have not actually been purged are included in the active dataset. To differentiate these cases, GET TRANSLATE creates a new string variable, D_R, which contains an asterisk for cases marked for deletion. Other cases contain a blank for D_R.
  • Character, floating, and numeric fields are transferred directly to variables. Logical fields are converted into string variables. Memo fields are ignored.

dBASE formats are converted as follows:

Table 1. Conversion of dBASE formats
dBASE IBM SPSS Statistics
Character String
Logical String
Date Date
Numeric Number
Floating Number
Memo Ignored