1 @c PSPP - a program for statistical analysis.
2 @c Copyright (C) 2017 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
3 @c Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
4 @c under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3
5 @c or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation;
6 @c with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts.
7 @c A copy of the license is included in the section entitled "GNU
8 @c Free Documentation License".
11 @chapter Invoking @command{pspp}
13 @cindex @pspp{}, invoking
15 @pspp{} has two separate user interfaces. This chapter describes
16 @command{pspp}, @pspp{}'s command-line driven text-based user interface.
17 The following chapter briefly describes PSPPIRE, the graphical user
20 The sections below describe the @command{pspp} program's command-line
25 * PDF PostScript and SVG Output Options::
26 * Plain Text Output Options::
27 * HTML Output Options::
28 * OpenDocument Output Options::
29 * Comma-Separated Value Output Options::
35 Here is a summary of all the options, grouped by type, followed by
36 explanations in the same order.
38 In the table, arguments to long options also apply to any
39 corresponding short options.
42 @item Non-option arguments
49 -o, --output=@var{output-file}
50 -O @var{option}=@var{value}
51 -O format=@var{format}
52 -O device=@{terminal|listing@}
54 -e, --error-file=@var{error-file}
57 @item Language options
59 -I, --include=@var{dir}
64 -a, --algorithm=@{compatible|enhanced@}
65 -x, --syntax=@{compatible|enhanced@}
66 --syntax-encoding=@var{encoding}
69 @item Informational options
83 @item @var{syntax-file}
84 Read and execute the named syntax file. If no syntax files are
85 specified, @pspp{} prompts for commands. If any syntax files are
86 specified, @pspp{} by default exits after it runs them, but you may make
87 it prompt for commands by specifying @samp{-} as an additional syntax
90 @item @option{-o @var{output-file}}
91 Write output to @var{output-file}. @pspp{} has several different output
92 drivers that support output in various formats (use @option{--help} to
93 list the available formats). Specify this option more than once to
94 produce multiple output files, presumably in different formats.
96 Use @samp{-} as @var{output-file} to write output to standard output.
98 If no @option{-o} option is used, then @pspp{} writes text and CSV
99 output to standard output and other kinds of output to whose name is
100 based on the format, e.g.@: @file{pspp.pdf} for PDF output.
102 @item @option{-O @var{option}=@var{value}}
103 Sets an option for the output file configured by a preceding
104 @option{-o}. Most options are specific to particular output formats.
105 A few options that apply generically are listed below.
107 @item @option{-O format=@var{format}}
108 @pspp{} uses the extension of the file name given on @option{-o} to
109 select an output format. Use this option to override this choice by
110 specifying an alternate format, e.g.@: @option{-o pspp.out -O html} to
111 write HTML to a file named @file{pspp.out}. Use @option{--help} to
112 list the available formats.
114 @item @option{-O device=@{terminal|listing@}}
115 Sets whether @pspp{} considers the output device configured by the
116 preceding @option{-o} to be a terminal or a listing device. This
117 affects what output will be sent to the device, as configured by the
118 SET command's output routing subcommands (@pxref{SET}). By default,
119 output written to standard output is considered a terminal device and
120 other output is considered a listing device.
122 @item @option{--no-output}
123 Disables output entirely, if neither @option{-o} nor @option{-O} is
124 also used. If one of those options is used, @option{--no-output} has
127 @item @option{-e @var{error-file}}
128 @itemx @option{--error-file=@var{error-file}}
129 Configures a file to receive @pspp{} error, warning, and note messages in
130 plain text format. Use @samp{-} as @var{error-file} to write messages
131 to standard output. The default error file is standard output in the
132 absence of these options, but this is suppressed if an output device
133 writes to standard output (or another terminal), to avoid printing
134 every message twice. Use @samp{none} as @var{error-file} to
135 explicitly suppress the default.
137 @item @option{-I @var{dir}}
138 @itemx @option{--include=@var{dir}}
139 Appends @var{dir} to the set of directories searched by the @cmd{INCLUDE}
140 (@pxref{INCLUDE}) and @cmd{INSERT} (@pxref{INSERT}) commands.
143 @itemx @option{--no-include}
144 Clears all directories from the include path, including directories
145 inserted in the include path by default. The default include path is
146 @file{.} (the current directory), followed by @file{.pspp} in the
147 user's home directory, followed by @pspp{}'s system configuration
148 directory (usually @file{/etc/pspp} or @file{/usr/local/etc/pspp}).
151 @item @option{--batch}
153 @itemx @option{--interactive}
154 These options forces syntax files to be interpreted in batch mode or
155 interactive mode, respectively, rather than the default ``auto'' mode.
156 @xref{Syntax Variants}, for a description of the differences.
159 @itemx @option{--no-statrc}
160 Disables running @file{rc} at @pspp{} startup time.
162 @item @option{-a @{enhanced|compatible@}}
163 @itemx @option{--algorithm=@{enhanced|compatible@}}
164 With @code{enhanced}, the default, @pspp{} uses the best implemented
165 algorithms for statistical procedures. With @code{compatible},
166 however, @pspp{} will in some cases use inferior algorithms to produce
167 the same results as the proprietary program SPSS.
169 Some commands have subcommands that override this setting on a per
172 @item @option{-x @{enhanced|compatible@}}
173 @itemx @option{--syntax=@{enhanced|compatible@}}
174 With @code{enhanced}, the default, @pspp{} accepts its own extensions
175 beyond those compatible with the proprietary program SPSS. With
176 @code{compatible}, @pspp{} rejects syntax that uses these extensions.
178 @item @option{--syntax-encoding=@var{encoding}}
179 Specifies @var{encoding} as the encoding for syntax files named on the
180 command line. The @var{encoding} also becomes the default encoding
181 for other syntax files read during the @pspp{} session by the
182 @cmd{INCLUDE} and @cmd{INSERT} commands. @xref{INSERT}, for the
183 accepted forms of @var{encoding}.
185 @item @option{--help}
186 Prints a message describing @pspp{} command-line syntax and the available
187 device formats, then exits.
190 @itemx @option{--version}
191 Prints a brief message listing @pspp{}'s version, warranties you don't
192 have, copying conditions and copyright, and e-mail address for bug
196 @itemx @option{--safer}
197 Disables certain unsafe operations. This includes the @subcmd{ERASE} and
198 @subcmd{HOST} commands, as well as use of pipes as input and output files.
200 @item @option{--testing-mode}
201 Invoke heuristics to assist with testing @pspp{}. For use
202 by @command{make check} and similar scripts.
205 @node PDF PostScript and SVG Output Options
206 @section PDF, PostScript, and SVG Output Options
211 To produce output in PDF, PostScript, and SVG formats, specify
212 @option{-o @var{file}} on the @pspp{} command line, optionally followed
213 by any of the options shown in the table below to customize the output
216 PDF, PostScript, and SVG output is only available if your installation
217 of @pspp{} was compiled with the Cairo library.
220 @item @option{-O format=@{pdf|ps|svg@}}
221 Specify the output format. This is only necessary if the file name
222 given on @option{-o} does not end in @file{.pdf}, @file{.ps}, or
225 @item @option{-O paper-size=@var{paper-size}}
226 Paper size, as a name (e.g.@: @code{a4}, @code{letter}) or
227 measurements (e.g.@: @code{210x297}, @code{8.5x11in}).
229 The default paper size is taken from the @env{PAPERSIZE} environment
230 variable or the file indicated by the @env{PAPERCONF} environment
231 variable, if either variable is set. If not, and your system supports
232 the @code{LC_PAPER} locale category, then the default paper size is
233 taken from the locale. Otherwise, if @file{/etc/papersize} exists,
234 the default paper size is read from it. As a last resort, A4 paper is
237 @item @option{-O foreground-color=@var{color}}
238 @itemx @option{-O background-color=@var{color}}
239 Sets @var{color} as the color to be used for the background or foreground.
240 Color should be given in the format @code{#@var{RRRR}@var{GGGG}@var{BBBB}},
241 where @var{RRRR}, @var{GGGG} and @var{BBBB} are 4 character hexadecimal
242 representations of the red, green and blue components respectively.
244 @item @option{-O orientation=@var{orientation}}
245 Either @code{portrait} or @code{landscape}. Default: @code{portrait}.
247 @item @option{-O left-margin=@var{dimension}}
248 @itemx @option{-O right-margin=@var{dimension}}
249 @itemx @option{-O top-margin=@var{dimension}}
250 @itemx @option{-O bottom-margin=@var{dimension}}
251 Sets the margins around the page. See
252 below for the allowed forms of @var{dimension} Default: @code{0.5in}.
254 @item @option{-O prop-font=@var{font-name}}
255 @itemx @option{-O emph-font=@var{font-name}}
256 @itemx @option{-O fixed-font=@var{font-name}}
257 Sets the font used for proportional, emphasized, or fixed-pitch text.
258 Most systems support CSS-like font names such as ``serif'' and
259 ``monospace'', but a wide range of system-specific font are likely to
260 be supported as well.
262 Default: proportional font @code{serif}, emphasis font @code{serif
263 italic}, fixed-pitch font @code{monospace}.
265 @item @option{-O font-size=@var{font-size}}
266 Sets the size of the default fonts, in thousandths of a point. Default:
269 @item @option{-O line-gutter=@var{dimension}}
270 Sets the width of white space on either side of lines that border text
271 or graphics objects. Default: @code{1pt}.
273 @item @option{-O line-spacing=@var{dimension}}
274 Sets the spacing between the lines in a double line in a table.
277 @item @option{-O line-width=@var{dimension}}
278 Sets the width of the lines used in tables. Default: @code{0.5pt}.
281 Each @var{dimension} value above may be specified in various units
282 based on its suffix: @samp{mm} for millimeters, @samp{in} for inches,
283 or @samp{pt} for points. Lacking a suffix, numbers below 50 are
284 assumed to be in inches and those about 50 are assumed to be in
287 @node Plain Text Output Options
288 @section Plain Text Output Options
290 @pspp{} can produce plain text output, drawing boxes using ASCII or
291 Unicode line drawing characters. To produce plain text output,
292 specify @option{-o @var{file}} on the @pspp{} command line, optionally
293 followed by options from the table below to customize the output
296 Plain text output is encoded in UTF-8.
299 @item @option{-O format=txt}
300 Specify the output format. This is only necessary if the file name
301 given on @option{-o} does not end in @file{.txt} or @file{.list}.
303 @item @option{-O charts=@{@var{template}.png|none@}}
304 Name for chart files included in output. The value should be a file
305 name that includes a single @samp{#} and ends in @file{png}. When a
306 chart is output, the @samp{#} is replaced by the chart number. The
307 default is the file name specified on @option{-o} with the extension
308 stripped off and replaced by @file{-#.png}.
310 Specify @code{none} to disable chart output. Charts are always
311 disabled if your installation of @pspp{} was compiled without the
314 @item @option{-O foreground-color=@var{color}}
315 @itemx @option{-O background-color=@var{color}}
316 Sets @var{color} as the color to be used for the background or foreground to
318 Color should be given in the format @code{#@var{RRRR}@var{GGGG}@var{BBBB}},
319 where @var{RRRR}, @var{GGGG} and @var{BBBB} are 4 character hexadecimal
320 representations of the red, green and blue components respectively.
321 If charts are disabled, this option has no effect.
324 @item @option{-O paginate=@var{boolean}}
325 If set, @pspp{} writes an ASCII formfeed the end of every page. Default:
328 @item @option{-O headers=@var{boolean}}
329 If enabled, @pspp{} prints two lines of header information giving title
330 and subtitle, page number, date and time, and @pspp{} version are printed
331 at the top of every page. These two lines are in addition to any top
332 margin requested. Default: @code{off}.
334 @item @option{-O length=@var{line-count}}
335 Physical length of a page. Headers and margins are subtracted from
336 this value. You may specify the number of lines as a number, or for
337 screen output you may specify @code{auto} to track the height of the
338 terminal as it changes. Default: @code{66}.
340 @item @option{-O width=@var{character-count}}
341 Width of a page, in characters. Margins are subtracted from this
342 value. For screen output you may specify @code{auto} in place of a
343 number to track the width of the terminal as it changes. Default:
346 @item @option{-O top-margin=@var{top-margin-lines}}
347 Length of the top margin, in lines. @pspp{} subtracts this value from
348 the page length. Default: @code{0}.
350 @item @option{-O bottom-margin=@var{bottom-margin-lines}}
351 Length of the bottom margin, in lines. @pspp{} subtracts this value from
352 the page length. Default: @code{0}.
354 @item @option{-O box=@{ascii|unicode@}}
355 Sets the characters used for lines in tables.
357 @code{ascii} the characters @samp{-}, @samp{|}, and @samp{+} for single-width
358 lines and @samp{=} and @samp{#} for double-width lines are used.
359 If set to @code{unicode} then Unicode box drawing characters will be used.
360 The default is @code{unicode} if the locale's character encoding is "UTF-8"
361 or @code{ascii} otherwise.
363 @item @option{-O emphasis=@{none|bold|underline@}}
364 How to emphasize text. Bold and underline emphasis are achieved with
365 overstriking, which may not be supported by all the software to which
366 you might pass the output. Default: @code{none}.
369 @node HTML Output Options
370 @section HTML Output Options
372 To produce output in HTML format, specify @option{-o @var{file}} on
373 the @pspp{} command line, optionally followed by any of the options shown
374 in the table below to customize the output format.
377 @item @option{-O format=html}
378 Specify the output format. This is only necessary if the file name
379 given on @option{-o} does not end in @file{.html}.
381 @item @option{-O charts=@{@var{template}.png|none@}}
382 Sets the name used for chart files. @xref{Plain Text Output Options},
385 @item @option{-O borders=@var{boolean}}
386 Decorate the tables with borders. If set to false, the tables produced
387 will have no borders. The default value is true.
389 @item @option{-O css=@var{boolean}}
390 Use cascading style sheets. Cascading style sheets give an improved appearance
391 and can be used to produce pages which fit a certain web site's style.
392 The default value is true.
396 @node OpenDocument Output Options
397 @section OpenDocument Output Options
399 To produce output as an OpenDocument text (ODT) document, specify
400 @option{-o @var{file}} on the @pspp{} command line. If @var{file} does
401 not end in @file{.odt}, you must also specify @option{-O format=odt}.
403 ODT support is only available if your installation of @pspp{} was
404 compiled with the libxml2 library.
406 The OpenDocument output format does not have any configurable options.
408 @node Comma-Separated Value Output Options
409 @section Comma-Separated Value Output Options
411 To produce output in comma-separated value (CSV) format, specify
412 @option{-o @var{file}} on the @pspp{} command line, optionally followed
413 by any of the options shown in the table below to customize the output
417 @item @option{-O format=csv}
418 Specify the output format. This is only necessary if the file name
419 given on @option{-o} does not end in @file{.csv}.
421 @item @option{-O separator=@var{field-separator}}
422 Sets the character used to separate fields. Default: a comma
425 @item @option{-O quote=@var{qualifier}}
426 Sets @var{qualifier} as the character used to quote fields that
427 contain white space, the separator (or any of the characters in the
428 separator, if it contains more than one character), or the quote
429 character itself. If @var{qualifier} is longer than one character,
430 only the first character is used; if @var{qualifier} is the empty
431 string, then fields are never quoted.
433 @item @option{-O titles=@var{boolean}}
434 Whether table titles (brief descriptions) should be printed. Default:
437 @item @option{-O captions=@var{boolean}}
438 Whether table captions (more extensive descriptions) should be
439 printed. Default: on.
442 The CSV format used is an extension to that specified in RFC 4180:
446 Each table row is output on a separate line, and each column is output
447 as a field. The contents of a cell that spans multiple rows or
448 columns is output only for the top-left row and column; the rest are
449 output as empty fields.
452 When a table has a title and titles are enabled, the title is output
453 just above the table as a single field prefixed by @samp{Table:}.
456 When a table has a caption and captions are enabled, the caption is
457 output just below the table as a single field prefixed by
461 Within a table, footnote markers are output as bracketed letters
462 following the cell's contents, e.g.@tie{}@samp{[a]}, @samp{[b]},
463 @enddots{} The footnotes themselves are output following the body of
464 the table, as a separate two-column table introduced with a line that
465 says @samp{Footnotes:}. Each row in the table represent one footnote:
466 the first column is the marker, the second column is the text.
469 Text in output is printed as a field on a line by itself. The TITLE
470 and SUBTITLE produce similar output, prefixed by @samp{Title:} or
471 @samp{Subtitle:}, respectively.
474 Errors, warnings, and notes are printed the same way as text.
477 Charts are not included in CSV output.
480 Successive output items are separated by a blank line.
482 @node Invoking PSPPIRE
483 @chapter Invoking @command{psppire}
484 @section The graphic user interface
485 @cindex Graphic user interface
488 The PSPPIRE graphic user interface for @pspp{} can perform all
489 functionality of the command line interface. In addition it gives an
490 instantaneous view of the data, variables and statistical output.
492 The graphic user interface can be started by typing @command{psppire} at a
494 Alternatively many systems have a system of interactive menus or buttons
495 from which @command{psppire} can be started by a series of mouse clicks.
497 Once the principles of the @pspp{} system are understood,
498 the graphic user interface is designed to be largely intuitive, and
499 for this reason is covered only very briefly by this manual.