Format of the Matrix Data File (PROXIMITIES command)

  • The matrix data file includes three special variables created by the program: ROWTYPE_, VARNAME_, and CASENO_. Variable ROWTYPE_ is a short string variable with value PROX (for proximity measure). PROX is assigned value labels containing the distance measure that is used to create the matrix and either SIMILARITY or DISSIMILARITY as an identifier. Variable VARNAME_ is a short string variable whose values are the names of the new variables. Variable CASENO_ is a numeric variable with values equal to the original case numbers.
  • The matrix file includes the string variable that is named on the ID subcommand. This variable is used to identify cases. Up to 20 characters can be displayed for the identifier variable; longer values are truncated. The identifier variable is present only when VIEW=CASE (the default) and when the ID subcommand is used.
  • The remaining variables in the matrix file are the variables that are used to form the matrix.