DATAFILE ATTRIBUTE
ATTRIBUTE=name(’value’) [name(’value’)]…
ATTRIBUTE=name[index](’value’) [name[index](’value’)]…
DELETE=name [name]…
DELETE=name[index] [name[index]]…
DATAFILE ATTRIBUTE adds, modifies, or removes user-defined
attributes associated with the active dataset. Custom data file
attributes are not interpreted by PSPP, but they are saved as part of
system files and may be used by other software that reads them.
Use the ATTRIBUTE subcommand to add or modify a custom data file
attribute. Specify the name of the attribute as an identifier
(see Tokens), followed by the desired value, in parentheses, as a
quoted string. Attribute names that begin with $ are reserved
for PSPP’s internal use, and attribute names that begin with @
or $@ are not displayed by most PSPP commands that display
other attributes. Other attribute names are not treated specially.
Attributes may also be organized into arrays. To assign to an array
element, add an integer array index enclosed in square brackets
([ and ]) between the attribute name and value. Array
indexes start at 1, not 0. An attribute array that has a single
element (number 1) is not distinguished from a non-array attribute.
Use the DELETE subcommand to delete an attribute. Specify an
attribute name by itself to delete an entire attribute, including all
array elements for attribute arrays. Specify an attribute name
followed by an array index in square brackets to delete a single
element of an attribute array. In the latter case, all the array
elements numbered higher than the deleted element are shifted down,
filling the vacated position.
To associate custom attributes with particular variables, instead of
with the entire active dataset, use VARIABLE ATTRIBUTE
(see VARIABLE ATTRIBUTE) instead.
DATAFILE ATTRIBUTE takes effect immediately. It is not affected
by conditional and looping structures such as DO IF or
LOOP.