Stat/Transfer is intelligently designed to save you mouse clicks and keystrokes.

For instance, although the output path is automatically constructed from the input path, if you change the path to another drive or directory, that directory will be used for the automatically generated output paths of subsequent transfers. Thus, if you intend to move files from one drive or directory to another, Stat/Transfer will recognize that fact and not require you to navigate to your new directory every time. To further save key stokes, most recently used lists are maintained both for input files and for output directories.

The Variables screen allows you to choose which variables will be transferred to your output data set. You can also view the characteristics of each variable, such as the preferred output or “target” types, the variable labels and the value labels.

Stat/Transfer automatically makes an extra pass through your data to determine the best output variable type and the minimum string width for your variables. However, if you wish, you can manually choose the storage types of each of your variables.

You can quickly choose variables to keep or drop by using the “Quick Variable Selector” window, which accepts wildcards, lists and ranges of variable names. The “Quick Type Selector” similarly makes fast work of changing variable types.



Observations Screen

The Observations screen allows you to select just the records you want from your input file. You can enter arithmetic expressions and selection conditions. You can also use powerful sampling functions. Selection syntax is designed for ease of use. For instance you can use wildcards and enter lists of conditions separated by commas as in:

where state = CA,AZ,W*,O*

Options Screens

The Options screen allows you to control how Stat/Transfer operates. You can control, for instance, whether you want to be warned if a file is about to be overwritten. These options are organized by category and provide extensive control over transfer operations. The defaults are designed sensibly, so that in the most typical cases, the options need not be touched. However, at times the defaults will not be what you need, and Stat/Transfer gives you the flexibility to control every aspect of the transfer process when you need to.

Stat/Transfer has always had a stand-alone command processor that allowes transfers to be run in batch mode with simple commands. Now, in version 10, the command processor and the user interface have become integrated. The user interface can automatically generate command files after your transfer has been performed and then you can then re-run these transfers right from the user interface. From the Run Program screen you can load programs, edit them if necessary and call the command processor to run your programs.

Log Screen

The Log screen allows you to see progress and error messages, which can be read as the transfer progresses and can be saved to a file. In case of errors or problems, this file can be sent to Circle Systems technical support.