Date:         Tue, 30 Sep 2008 08:42:45 +0100
Reply-To:     Garry Gelade <garry@business-analytic.co.uk>
Sender:       "SPSSX(r) Discussion" <SPSSX-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From:         Garry Gelade <garry@business-analytic.co.uk>
Subject:      Re: widcards
Comments: To: Gary Stevens <garystevens@FLHSA.ORG>
In-Reply-To:  <200809292143.m8TIsL8m015831@malibu.cc.uga.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Gary,

From your syntax it looks like the variables are string variables, and the
characters you want to select on are always in the leading positions. In
that case you can use the SUBSTR function. In your syntax below try
replacing the do line by

        Do if ( SUBSTR(v1(#i),1,4) =  '2344' | SUBSTR(v1(#i),1,4) =  '3366'
| SUBSTR(v1(#i),1,3) =  '254' ).

Garry Gelade




-----Original Message-----
From: SPSSX(r) Discussion [mailto:SPSSX-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU] On Behalf Of
Gary Stevens
Sent: 29 September 2008 22:43
To: SPSSX-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
Subject: widcards

How do I denote a wildcard in a five character wide field?

As an example, if * were a wildcard and I wrote 250** I  would expect to
select all data with 250 in the first three positions and anything else in
the next two positions.
Here's what I really want to do.  I have 15 variables, xx1 to xx15, side by
side.  I want to find if 254** or 2344* or 3366* is found in any of variable
columns 1-15.

A record line might have more than one scattered along the 15 columns or
just one found in V15.  I just want to know if it occurs in that record.

I will crosstab the findings.

Here's my attempt:
The syntax below only finds the exact data i.e. '254' and not '254**'

 vector v1=xx1 to xx15.
   loop #i=1 to 15.
      do if (any(v1(#i),'2344 ','254  ','3366 ')).
         compute positive=1.
         break.
      end if.
   end loop.

Many thanks,
Gary

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