Re: PSPP-BUG: The utility "variables" can not select more than one variable

[Bastián Díaz]

> Yes.  Because "input" is the default role, it seemed to add more noise
> than real information to display the role when it is "input".  Do you
> think that DISPLAY DICTIONARY should always display the role?

I think so. It is always very useful to have all the information 
(understandable) for the variables, and not always a connoisseur of PSPP or 
SPSS will have access to this information.

On the other hand, can be confusing to a new user (or a distracted user), as 
there are files created with earlier versions of SPSS and PSPP not supporting 
role, and thus displaying the information from an external file, the output 
displayed by PSPP will be the same for a file that does not support role to 
another whose variables are marked as "input", which at first glance appear 
that do not support role both files or both files have the assignment "imput" 
in all its variables. PSPP could solve this problem indicating that the role 
property is "unknown" or "not set".

Also, as I said in another message, add the "variable type" and indicator for 
"label" to the variable, help simplify the information to the user.

Eg.

+--------+----------------------------------------------+--------+
|Variable|Description                                   |Position|
#========#==============================================#========#
|VAR00001|Label:               : Test 1:Numeric       |       1|
|        |Type                :Numeric                |        |
|        |Format              : F5.0                   |        |
|        |MeasureLevel        : Scale                  |        |

|        |Role                 :Imput                  |        |
|        |Display Alignment    : Left                   |        |
|        |Display Width        : 5                      |        |
|        +---------------------------------------+------+        |
|        |Values                                 | Label|        |

|        +---------------------------------------+------+        |
|        |                                      1|one   |        |
|        |                                      2|two   |        |
|        |                                      3|three |        |
+--------+---------------------------------------+------+--------+

Regards

--
Bastián Díaz


I add as SPSS displays information variables.


Variable Information
|--------|--------|--------------------------|-----------------|---------|------------|---------|------------|------------|
|Variable|Position|Label                     |Measurement Level|Role     
|Column Width|Alignment|Print Format|Write Format|
|--------|--------|--------------------------|-----------------|---------|------------|---------|------------|------------|
|VAR00001|1       |Test 1: Numeric           |Scale            |Input    |5     
      |Left     |F5          |F5          |
|--------|--------|--------------------------|-----------------|---------|------------|---------|------------|------------|
Variables in the working file

Variable Values
|------------------------|-----|
|Value                   |Label|
|--------|---------------|-----|
|VAR00001|1              |one  |
|        |---------------|-----|
|        |2              |two  |
|        |---------------|-----|
|        |3              |three|
|--------|---------------|-----|