1.3.2 SPSS Syntax mode

SPSS functions in two modes: menu driven and syntax driven. This means all instructions to SPSS can be written down and stored in files. For practical reasons the course will largely ignore the existence of the menu interface.

There are three ways of using syntax in SPSS:

1. in batch or `production' mode: give SPSS a file of commands, it creates a file of output without ever opening a window. We won't use this in the course but it is a very useful way of invoking SPSS for big or repeated jobs
2. by typing commands in a syntax window, highlighting them and running them by clicking on the run symbol (like a video `play' button)
3. by putting them in a file, e.g., job.sps, and typing the command

   include "job.sps".

   in a syntax window and running that.

Syntax mode isn't hard to learn: you can see the syntax equivalents of menu commands by clicking Paste instead of OK. This pastes the command into the syntax window where you can view, edit and run them.

Syntax can be quicker than the menus: commands can be abbreviated to the uppercase portion: