MATRIX Subcommand (PROXIMITIES command)

MATRIX reads and writes matrix data files.

• Either IN or OUT and the matrix file in parentheses are required. When both IN and OUT are used on the same PROXIMITIES command, they can be specified on separate MATRIX subcommands or on the same subcommand.

OUT ('savfile'|'dataset'). Write a matrix data file or dataset. Specify either a filename, a previously declared dataset name, or an asterisk, enclosed in parentheses. Filenames should be enclosed in quotes and are stored in the working directory unless a path is included as part of the file specification. If you specify an asterisk (*), the matrix data file replaces the active dataset. If you specify an asterisk or a dataset name, the file is not stored on disk unless you use SAVE or XSAVE.

IN ('savfile'|'dataset'). Read a matrix data file or dataset. Specify either a filename, dataset name created during the current session, or an asterisk enclosed in parentheses. An asterisk reads the matrix data from the active dataset. Filenames should be enclosed in quotes and are read from the working directory unless a path is included as part of the file specification.

When a matrix is produced by using the MATRIX OUT subcommand, the matrix corresponds to a unique dataset. All subsequent analyses that are performed on this matrix would match the corresponding analysis on the original data. However, if the data file is altered in any way, this matching process would no longer occur.

For example, if the original file is edited or rearranged it would no longer correspond to the initially produced matrix. You need to make sure that the data match the matrix whenever inferring the results from the matrix analysis. Specifically, when the cluster membership is saved into an active dataset in the CLUSTER procedure, the proximity matrix in the MATRIX IN statement must match the current active dataset.