Variables

The columns in IBM® SPSS® Statistics data files are variables. Variables are similar to fields in a database table.

• Variable names can be defined with numerous commands, including DATA LIST, GET DATA, NUMERIC, STRING, VECTOR, COMPUTE, and RECODE. They can be changed with the RENAME VARIABLES command.
• Optional variable attributes can include descriptive variable labels (VARIABLE LABELS command), value labels (VALUE LABELS command), and missing value definitions (MISSING VALUES command).

The following sections provide information on variable naming rules, syntax for referring to inclusive lists of variables (keywords ALL and TO), scratch (temporary) variables, and system variables.