Input and output

Data can be read into Genstat data structures using the READ and SPLOAD directives or the FILEREAD and TX2VARIATE procedures:

`READ`	reads data from an input file, an unformatted file or a text
`FILEREAD`	reads data from a text file, assumed to be in a rectangular array
`SPLOAD`	loads data from a Genstat spreadsheet file
`TX2VARIATE`	reads values into a variate from a text structure

Files can be connected to input, output or other channels during execution of a Genstat program. Channels can also be closed, terminating the connection, so that they can be attached to other files.

`OPEN`	opens files and connects them to Genstat input/output channels
`CLOSE`	closes files, freeing the channels to which they were attached

The channel from which input statements are taken can be changed, as can the channel to which output is sent. It is also possible to send a transcript (or copy) of input and/or output to output files, to skip sections of input or output files, and to obtain information about the files connected to each channel.

`INPUT`	specifies the channel from which subsequent statements should be read
`RETURN`	returns to the previous input channel
`OUTPUT`	specifies the channel to which future output should be sent
`COPY`	requests a transcript of subsequent input and/or output
`SKIP`	skips lines of input or output files
`ENQUIRE`	provides details about files opened by Genstat

The following commands allow you to generate output.

`PRINT`	prints data in tabular form to an output file or text
`CAPTION`	prints captions and titles in standardized formats
`LIST`	lists details of the data structures that currently exist in your program
`PAGE`	moves to the top of the next page of an output file
`PFACLEVELS`	prints levels and labels of factors
`PLINK`	prints a link to a graphics file into an HTML file
`ISPLAY`	repeats the last Genstat diagnostic
`DUMP`	prints attributes of data structures and other internal information
`DECIMALS`	sets the number of decimals for a structure, using its round-off
`MINFIELDWIDTH`	calculates minimum field widths for printing data structures

You can copy, delete and rename files:

`FCOPY`	makes copies of files
`FDELETE`	deletes files
`FRENAME`	renames files

You can define menus:

`QDIALOG`	produces a modal dialog box to obtain a response from the user
`QUESTION`	obtains a response using a Genstat menu (formed using `QDIALOG`)
`QFACTOR`	allows the user to decide to convert texts or variates to factors
`QLIST`	presents a sequence of menus to obtain a response from a list

The values of a data structure, with all its defining information, can be stored in a sub-file of a “backing-store” file. It can then be retrieved in a later job, without the need to repeat the definitions. The current state of the whole job can also be dumped to an unformatted file, so that it can be picked up and continued on a later occasion.

`STORE`	stores data structures in a backing-store file
`RETRIEVE`	retrieves data structures from a backing-store file
`CATALOGUE`	displays the contents of a backing-store file
`MERGE`	copies sub-files of backing-store files into a single file
`RECORD`	dumps the complete details of a job
`RESUME`	reads and restarts a recorded job

Genstat has several additional commands for accessing data from spreadsheets, databases and other systems. However, these may be unavailable in some implementations.

`CSPRO`	reads a data set from a CSPro survey data file and dictionary, and loads it into Genstat or puts it into a spreadsheet file
`EXPORT`	outputs data structures in foreign file formats, or as plain or comma-delimited text
`IMPORT`	reads data in a foreign file format and loads it or converts it to a spreadsheet file
`DBCOMMAND`	runs an SQL command on an ODBC database
`DBEXPORT`	update an ODBC database table using data from Genstat
`DBIMPORT`	loads data into Genstat from an ODBC database
`DBINFORMATION`	loads information on the tables and columns in an ODBC database
`DDEEXPORT`	sends data or commands to a Dynamic Data Exchange server
`DDEIMPORT`	gets data from a Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) server
`GRIBIMPORT`	reads data from a GRIB2 meteorological data file, and loads it or converts it to a spreadsheet file
`SPCOMBINE`	combines spreadsheet and data files, without reading them into Genstat

Updated on February 7, 2023

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