Variable Class (Python)

The Variable class allows you to get and set the properties of a variable. Instances of the Variable class for each variable in the associated dataset are generated when the VariableList class is instantiated. In addition, the append and insert methods of a VariableList object create associated instances of the Variable class for appended and inserted variables. Specific variables can be accessed by name or index (index values represent position in the dataset, starting with 0 for the first variable in file order).

datasetObj = spss.Dataset('data1')
# Create a Variable object, specifying the variable by name
varObj = datasetObj.varlist['bdate']
# Create a Variable object, specifying the variable by index
varObj = datasetObj.varlist[3]

Note: An instance of the Variable class can only be created within a data step, and cannot be used outside of the data step in which it was created. Data steps are initiated with the spss.StartDataStep function.