16.4.11 The MGET Command

MGET [/FILE=_file_]
     [/TYPE={COV _|_ CORR _|_ MEAN _|_ STDDEV _|_ N _|_ COUNT}].

The MGET command reads the data from a matrix file (see Matrix Files) into matrix variables.

All of MGET’s subcommands are optional. Specify the name or handle of the matrix file to be read on the FILE subcommand; if it is omitted, then the command reads the active file.

By default, MGET reads all of the data from the matrix file. Specify a space-delimited list of matrix types on TYPE to limit the kinds of data to the one specified:

COV

Covariance matrix.

CORR

Correlation coefficient matrix.

MEAN

Vector of means.

STDDEV

Vector of standard deviations.

N

Vector of case counts.

COUNT

Vector of counts.

MGET reads the entire matrix file and automatically names, creates, and populates matrix variables using its contents. It constructs the name of each variable by concatenating the following:

• A 2-character prefix that identifies the type of the matrix:

CV

Covariance matrix.

CR

Correlation coefficient matrix.

MN

Vector of means.

SD

Vector of standard deviations.

NC

Vector of case counts.

CN

Vector of counts.

• If the matrix file has factor variables, F _n_, where n is a number identifying a group of factors: F1 for the first group, F2 for the second, and so on. This part is omitted for pooled data (where the factors all have the system-missing value).
• If the matrix file has split file variables, S _n_, where n is a number identifying a split group: S1 for the first group, S2 for the second, and so on.

If MGET chooses the name of an existing variable, it issues a warning and does not change the variable.