E Views Command Reference

EViews 5 Command and
Programming Reference
EViews 5 Command and Programming Reference
Copyright 19942004 Quantitative Micro Software, LLC
All Rights Reserved
Printed in the United States of America
This software product, including program code and manual, is copyrighted, and all rights
are reserved by Quantitative Micro Software, LLC. The distribution and sale of this product
are intended for the use of the original purchaser only. Except as permitted under the
United States Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this product may be reproduced or distrib-
uted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the
prior written permission of Quantitative Micro Software.
Disclaimer
The authors and Quantitative Micro Software assume no responsibility for any errors that
may appear in this manual or the EViews program. The user assumes all responsibility for
the selection of the program to achieve intended results, and for the installation, use, and
results obtained from the program.
Trademarks
Windows, Windows 95/98/2000/NT/Me/XP, and Microsoft Excel are trademarks of
Microsoft Corporation. PostScript is a trademark of Adobe Corporation. X11.2 and X12-
ARIMA Version 0.2.7 are seasonal adjustment programs developed by the U. S. Census
Bureau. Tramo/Seats is copyright by Agustin Maravall and Victor Gomez. All other product
names mentioned in this manual may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective companies.
Quantitative Micro Software, LLC
4521 Campus Drive, #336, Irvine CA, 92612-2699
Telephone: (949) 856-3368
Fax: (949) 856-2044
e-mail: [email protected]
web: www.eviews.com
April 15, 2004
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Using Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Batch Program Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
How to Use this Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
CHAPTER 2. OBJECT AND COMMAND BASICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Object Declaration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Object Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Object Assignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
More on Object Declaration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Auxiliary Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Managing Workfiles and Databases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Managing Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Basic Command Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
CHAPTER 3. MATRIX LANGUAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Declaring Matrices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Assigning Matrix Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Copying Data Between Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Matrix Expressions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Matrix Commands and Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Matrix Views and Procs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Matrix Operations versus Loop Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Summary of Automatic Resizing of Matrix Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Matrix Function and Command Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
CHAPTER 4. WORKING WITH TABLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Creating a Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Assigning Table Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Customizing Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Labeling Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Printing Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Exporting Tables to Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Customizing Spreadsheet Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Table Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
ii Table of Contents
CHAPTER 5. WORKING WITH GRAPHS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Creating a Graph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Changing Graph Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
Customizing a Graph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
Labeling Graphs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81
Printing Graphs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81
Exporting Graphs to Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81
Graph Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
CHAPTER 6. EVIEWS PROGRAMMING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Program Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83
Simple Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86
Program Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
Program Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96
Program Arguments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97
Control of Execution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99
Multiple Program Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Subroutines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Programming Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
CHAPTER 7. STRINGS AND DATES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Strings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Dates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
APPENDIX A. OBJECT, VIEW AND PROCEDURE REFERENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Alpha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Coef . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Equation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155
Graph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Logl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Matrix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .166
Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Pool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Rowvector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Sample . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Table of Contentsiii
Scalar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Sspace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Sym . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Valmap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Var . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Vector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
APPENDIX B. COMMAND REFERENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
APPENDIX C. SPECIAL EXPRESSION REFERENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 535
APPENDIX D. OPERATOR AND FUNCTION REFERENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 543
Operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 544
Basic Mathematical Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 545
Time Series Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 546
Descriptive Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 547
By-Group Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 549
Special Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 550
Trigonometric Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 553
Statistical Distribution Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 554
APPENDIX E. WORKFILE FUNCTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 559
Basic Workfile Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 559
Dated Workfile Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 560
Panel Workfile Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 563
APPENDIX F. STRING AND DATE FUNCTION REFERENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 565
APPENDIX G. MATRIX REFERENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 581
APPENDIX H. PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE REFERENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 603
INDEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .615
iv Table of Contents
Chapter 1. Introduction
EViews provides you with both a Windows and a command line interface for working with
your data. Almost every operation that can be accomplished using menus may also be
entered into the command window, or placed in programs for batch processing. You are
free to choose the mixture of techniques which best fits your particular style of work.
The Command and Programming Reference (CPR) documents the use of commands and
programs to perform various tasks in EViewsthe companion Users Guide describes in
greater detail the general features of EViews, with an emphasis on the interactive Windows
interface.
In addition to providing a basic command reference, the Command and Programming Ref-
erence documents the use of EViews powerful batch processing language and advanced
programming features. With EViews, you can create and store commands in programs that
automate repetitive tasks, or generate a record of your research project.
Using Commands
Commands may be used interactively or executed in batch mode.
Interactive Use
The command window is located just below the main menu bar at the top of the EViews
window. A blinking insertion cursor in the command window indicates that keyboard
focus is in the command window and that keystrokes will be entered in the window at the
insertion point. If no insertion cursor is present, simply click in the command window to
change the focus.
To work interactively, you will type a command into the command window, then press
ENTER to execute the command. If you enter an incomplete command, EViews will open a
dialog box prompting you for additional information.
A command that you
enter in the window will
be executed as soon as
you press ENTER. The
insertion point need not
be at the end of the
command line when
you press ENTER.
EViews will execute the entire line that contains the insertion point.
2Chapter 1. Introduction
When you enter a command, EViews will add it to the list of previously executed com-
mands contained in the window. You can scroll up to an earlier command, edit it, and hit
ENTER. The modified command will be executed. You may also use standard Windows
copy-and-paste between the command window and any other window.
The contents of the command area may also be saved directly into a text file for later use.
First make certain that the command window is active by clicking anywhere in the win-
dow, and then select File/Save As from the main menu.
You may resize the command window so that a larger number of previously executed com-
mands are visible. Use the mouse to move the cursor to the bottom of the window, hold
down the mouse button, and drag the bottom of the window downwards.
We will point out that as you open and close object windows in EViews, the keyboard
focus may change from the command window to the active window. If you then wish to
enter a command, you will first need to click in the command window to set the focus. You
can influence EViews method of choosing keyboard focus by changing the global
defaultssimply select Options/Window and Font Options... from the main menu, and
change the Keyboard Focus setting as desired.
Batch Program Use
You can assemble a number of commands into a program, and then execute the commands
in batch mode. Each command in the program will be executed in the order that it appears
in the program. Using batch programs allows you to make use of advanced capabilities
such as looping and condition branching, and subroutine and macro processing. Programs
also are an excellent way to document a research project since you will have a record of
each step of the project.
One way to create a program file in EViews is to select File/New/Program. EViews will
open an untitled program window into which you may enter your commands. You can
save the program by clicking on the Save or SaveAs button, navigating to the desired
directory, and entering a file name. EViews will append the extension .PRG to the name
you provide.
Alternatively, you can use your favorite text (ASCII) editor to create a program file contain-
ing your commands. The commands in this program may then be executed from within
EViews.
How to Use this Manual
Chapter 2, Object and Command Basics, on page 5 and Appendix A, Object, View and
Procedure Reference, on page 151 constitute the core of the EViews command reference:
How to Use this Manual3
Chapter 2, Object and Command Basics, on page 5 explains the basics of using
commands to work with EViews objects, and provides a cross-referenced listing of
basic EViews commands associated with various tasks.
Appendix A, Object, View and Procedure Reference, beginning on page 151 pro-
vides a cross-referenced listing of commands, views, and procedures associated with
each object.
The other sections provide documentation on more advanced EViews features:
Chapter 3, Matrix Language, on page 23 describes the EViews matrix language
and provides a summary of the available matrix operators, functions, and com-
mands.
Chapter 4, Working with Tables, on page 47 documents the table object and
describes the basics of working with tables in EViews.
Chapter 5, Working with Graphs, on page 59 describes the use of commands to
work with graph objects.
Chapter 6, EViews Programming, on page 83 describes the basics of using pro-
grams for batch processing and documents the programming language.
Chapter 7, Strings and Dates, on page 117 describes the syntax and functions
available for manipulating text strings and dates.
The remaining sections contain dictionary-style reference material for all of the EViews
commands, functions, and operators, or more advanced material:
Appendix B, Command Reference, on page 193 provides a full alphabetized listing
of basic commands, views and procedures. This material contains the primary refer-
ence material for working with EViews.
Appendix C, Special Expression Reference, on page 535 special expressions that
may be used in series assignment and generation, or as terms in estimation specifi-
cations.
Appendix D, Operator and Function Reference, beginning on page 543 describes
the operators and functions that may be used with series and (in some cases) matrix
objects.
Appendix E, Workfile Functions, on page 559 includes functions for accessing
workfile structure and date information.
Appendix F, String and Date Function Reference, on page 565 lists the functions
used when working with strings and dates in EViews.
Appendix G, Matrix Reference, on page 581 is an alphabetical listing of the com-
mands and functions associated with the EViews matrix language.
4Chapter 1. Introduction
Appendix H, Programming Language Reference, on page 603 contains an alpha-
betical listing of the keywords and functions associated with the EViews program-
ming language.
While this reference manual is not designed to be read from cover-to-cover, we recommend
that before beginning extensive work using EViews commands, you spend some time with
Chapter 2, Object and Command Basics, which describes the basics of using commands
to work with objects. A solid understanding of this material is important for getting the
most out of EViews.
If you wish to use programs in EViews, you should, at the very least, examine the first part
of Chapter 6, EViews Programming, which describes the basics of creating, loading, and
running a batch program.
Chapter 2. Object and Command Basics
This chapter provides an overview of the command method of working with EViews and
EViews objects. If you are new to EViews, you may find it useful to consult the Users
Guide (especially Chapter 1, Introduction, on page 11 and Chapter 4, Object Basics,
beginning on page 65) for a more detailed introduction to EViews and a discussion of
objects, their views, and procedures.
The command line interface of EViews is comprised of a set of single line commands, each
of which may be classified as one of the following:
object declarations.
object commands.
object assignment statements.
auxiliary commands.
An EViews program is composed of a sequence of these commands, and may also contain
the following:
control variable assignment statements.
program control statements.
The use of control variables and program control statements is discussed in detail in the
programming guide in Chapter 6, EViews Programming, on page 83. The following sec-
tions provide an overview of the first four types of commands.
Object Declaration
The first step is to create or declare an object. A simple declaration has the form:
object_type object_name
where object_name is the name you would like to give to the new object and
object_type is one of the following object types:
Alpha (p. 152) Model (p. 168) Sym (p. 180)
Coef (p. 153) Pool (p. 169) System (p. 182)
Equation (p. 155) Rowvector (p. 172) Table (p. 185)
Graph (p. 159) Sample (p. 173) Text (p. 186)
6Chapter 2. Object and Command Basics
For example, the declaration
series lgdp
creates a new series called LGDP, while the command
equation eq1
creates a new equation object called EQ1.
Matrix objects are typically declared with their dimension in parentheses after the object
type. For example:
matrix(5,5) x
creates a matrix named X, while
coef(10) results
creates a 10 element coefficient vector named RESULTS.
Note that in order to create an object you must have a workfile currently open in EViews.
You can open or create a workfile interactively from the File Menu, or you can use the
load or workfile commands to perform the same operations inside a program. See
Chapter 3, Workfile Basics, on page 43 of the Users Guide for details.
Object Commands
An object command is a command which accesses an objects views and procedures
(procs). Object commands have two main parts, a display action followed by a view specifi-
cation. The view specification describes the view or procedure of the object to be acted
upon. The display action determines what is to be done with the output from the view or
procedure.
The complete syntax for an object command has the form:
action(action_opt) object_name.view_or_proc(view_proc_opt) arg_list
where:
action ............... is one of the four verbs (do, freeze, print, show)
action_opt ........... an option that modifies the default behavior of the action
Group (p. 161) Scalar (p. 174) Valmap (p. 187)
Logl (p. 164) Series (p. 175) Var (p. 187)
Matrix (p. 166) Sspace (p. 177) Vector (p. 190)
5 5
Object Commands7
object_name ......the name of the object to be acted upon
view_or_proc ...the object view or procedure to be acted upon
view_proc_opt .......an option that modifies the default behavior of the view or proce-
dure
arg_list .................a list of view or procedure arguments, generally separated by
spaces
The four possible actions are:
do executes procedures without opening a window. If the objects window is not
currently displayed, no output is generated. If the objects window is already open,
do is equivalent to show.
freeze creates a table or graph from the object view window.
print prints the object view window.
show displays the object view in a window.
In most cases, some of the components of the general object command are not necessary
since some views and procs do not require an argument list or options.
Furthermore, you need not explicitly specify an action. If no action is provided, the show
action is assumed for views and the do action is assumed for procedures. For example,
when using the command to display the series view for a line graph:
gdp.line
EViews implicitly adds a show command:
show gdp.line
Alternatively, for the equation procedure ls,
eq1.ls cons c gdp
there is an implicit do action.
do eq1.ls cons c gdp
In some cases, you may wish to modify the default behavior by explicitly describing the
action. For example:
print eq1.ls cons c gdp
both performs the implicit do action and then sends the output from the proc to the
printer.
show gdp.line
print(l) group1.stats
freeze(output1) eq1.ls cons c gdp
do eq1.forecast eq1f
The first example opens a window displaying a line graph of the series GDP. The second
example prints (in landscape mode) descriptive statistics for the series in GROUP1. The
third example creates a table named OUTPUT1 from the estimation results of EQ1 for a
least squares regression of CONS on GDP. The final example executes the forecast proce-
dure of EQ1, putting the forecasted values into the series EQ1F and suppressing any proce-
dure output.
Of these four examples, only the first opens a window and displays output on the screen.
Output Control
As discussed above, the display action determines the destination for view and procedure
output. Here we note in passing a few extensions to these general rules.
You may request that a view be simultaneously printed and displayed on your screen by
the letter p as an option to the object command. For example, the expression:
gdp.correl(24,p)
is equivalent to the two commands:
show gdp.correl(24)
print gdp.correl(24)
since correl is a series view. The p option can be combined with other options, sepa-
rated by commas. So as not to interfere with other option processing, we strongly recom-
mend that the p option should always be specified after any required options.
Note that the print command accepts the l or p option to indicate landscape or por-
trait orientation. For example:
print(l) gdp.correl(24)
Printer output can be redirected to a text file or frozen output. See the output command
in Appendix B, Command Reference, on page 193, and the discussion in Print Setup
on page 919 of the Users Guide, for details.
The freeze command used without options creates an untitled graph or table from a view
specification:
freeze gdp.line
You also may provide a name for the frozen object in parentheses after the word freeze.
For example,
Object Assignment9
freeze(figure1) gdp.bar
names the frozen bar graph of GDP as figure1.
Object Assignment
Object assignment statements are commands which assign data to an EViews object.
Object assignment statements have the syntax:
object_name = expression
where object_name identifies the object whose data is to be modified and expression
is an expression which evaluates to an object of an appropriate type.
The nature of the assignment varies depending on what type of object is on the left hand
side of the equal sign. To take a simple example, consider the assignment statement:
x = 5 * log(y) + z
where X, Y and Z are series. This assignment statement will take the log of each element of
Y, multiply each value by 5, add the corresponding element of Z, and, finally, assign the
result into the appropriate element of X.
More on Object Declaration
Object declarations can often be combined with either object commands or object assign-
ment statements to create and initialize an object in a single line. For example:
series lgdp = log(gdp)
creates a new series called LGDP and initializes its elements with the log of the series GDP.
Similarly, the command
equation eq1.ls y c x1 x2
creates a new equation object called EQ1 and initializes it with the results from regressing
the series Y against a constant term, the series X1 and the series X2.
Additional examples:
scalar elas = 2
series tr58 = @trend(1958)
group nipa gdp cons inv g x
equation cnsfnc2.ls log(cons)=c(1)+c(2)*yd
vector beta = @inverse(x*x)*(x*y)
An object can be declared multiple times so long as it is always declared to be of the same
type. The first declaration will create the object, subsequent declarations will have no
effect unless the subsequent declaration also specifies how the object is to be initialized.
For example:
smpl @first 1979
series dummy = 1
smpl 1980 @last
series dummy=0
creates a series named DUMMY that has the value 1 prior to 1980 and the value 0 thereaf-
ter.
Redeclaration of an object to a different type is not allowed and will generate an error.
Auxiliary Commands
Auxiliary commands are commands which are either unrelated to a particular object (i.e.,
not views or procs), or which act on an object in a way that is generally independent of the
type or contents of the object. Auxiliary commands typically follow the syntax:
command(option_list) argument_list
where command is the name of the view or procedure to be executed, option_list is a list of
options separated by commas, and argument_list is a list of arguments generally sepa-
rated by spaces.
An example of an auxiliary command is:
store(d=c:\newdata\db1) gdp m x
which will store the three objects GDP, M and X in the database named DB1 in the direc-
tory C:\NEWDATA.
There is also a set of auxiliary commands which are designed to be used interactively, and
sometimes performs operations that create new untitled or unnamed objects (see Interac-
tive Use Commands on page 20). For example, the command:
ls y c x1 x2
will regress the series Y against a constant term, the series X1 and the series X2, and create
a new untitled equation object to hold the results.
Since these commands are designed primarily for interactive use, they will prove useful for
carrying out simple tasks. Overuse of these interactive tools, or their use in programs, will
make it difficult to manage your work since unnamed objects cannot be referenced by
name from within a program, cannot be saved to disk, and cannot be deleted except
Managing Workfiles and Databases11
through the graphical Windows interface. Wherever possible, you should use named rather
than untitled objects for your work. For example, we may replace the above auxiliary com-
mand with the statement:
equation eq1.ls y c x1 x2
to create the named equation object EQ1. This example uses declaration of the object EQ1
and the equation method ls to perform the same task as the auxiliary command above.
Managing Workfiles and Databases
There are two types of object containers: workfiles and databases. All EViews objects must
be held in an object container, so before you begin working with objects you must create a
workfile or database. Workfiles and databases are described in depth in Chapter 3, Work-
file Basics, on page 43 and Chapter 10, EViews Databases, beginning on page 253 of the
Users Guide.
Managing Workfiles
To declare and create a new workfile, you may use the wfcreate (p. 503) command. You
may enter the keyword wfcreate followed by a name for the workfile, an option for the
frequency of the workfile, and the start and end dates. The workfile frequency type options
are:
For example:
wfcreate macro1 q 1965Q1 1995Q4
creates a new quarterly workfile named MACRO1 from the first quarter of 1965 to the
fourth quarter of 1995.
wfcreate cps88 u 1 1000
creates a new undated workfile named CPS88 with 1000 observations.
a annual.
s semi-annual.
q quarterly.
m monthly.
w weekly.
d daily (5 day week).
7 daily (7 day week).
u undated.
Note that if you have multiple open workfiles, the wfselect (p. 514) command may be
used to change the active workfile.
Alternately, you may use wfopen (p. 504) to read a foreign data source into a new work-
file.
To save your workfile, use the wfsave (p. 512) command by typing the keyword wfsave
followed by a workfile name. If any part of the path or workfile name has spaces, you
should enclose the entire expression in quotation marks. The active workfile will be saved
in the default path under the given name. You may optionally provide a path to save the
workfile in a different directory:
wfsave a:\mywork
If necessary, enclose the path name in quotations. To close the workfile, use the close
(p. 238) command. For example:
close mywork
closes the workfile window of MYWORK.
To open a previously saved workfile, use the wfopen (p. 504) command. You should fol-
low the keyword with the name of the workfile. You can optionally include a path designa-
tion to open workfiles that are not saved in the default path. For example:
wfopen "c:\mywork\proj1"
Managing Databases
To create a new database, follow the dbcreate (p. 255) command keyword with a name
for the new database. Alternatively, you could use the db (p. 254) command keyword fol-
lowed by a name for the new database. The two commands differ only when the named
database already exists. If you use dbcreate and the named database already exists on
disk, EViews will error indicating that the database already exits. If you use db and the
named database already exists on disk, EViews will simply open the existing database.
Note that the newly opened database will become the default database.
For example:
dbcreate mydata1
creates a new database named MYDATA1 in the default path, opens a new database win-
dow, and makes MYDATA1 the default database.
Managing Objects13
db c:\evdata\usdb
opens the USDB database in the specified directory if it already exists. If it does not,
EViews creates a new database named USDB, opens its window, and makes it the default
database.
You can also use dbopen (p. 257) to open an existing database and to make it the default
database. For example:
dbopen findat
opens the database named FINDAT in the default directory. If the database does not exist,
EViews will error indicating that the specified database cannot be found.
You may use dbrename (p. 259) to rename an existing database. Follow the dbrename
keyword by the current (old) name and a new name:
dbrename temp1 newmacro
To delete an existing database, use the dbdelete (p. 256) command. Follow the dbde-
lete keyword by the name of the database to delete:
dbdelete c:\data\usmacro
dbcopy (p. 255) makes a copy of the existing database. Follow the dbcopy keyword with
the name of the source file and the name of the destination file:
dbcopy c:\evdata\macro1 a:\macro1
dbpack (p. 258), dbrepair (p. 260), and dbrebuild (p. 258) are database maintenance
commands. See also Chapter 10, EViews Databases, beginning on page 253 of the Users
Guide for a detailed description.
Managing Objects
In the course of a program you will often need to manage the objects in a workfile by copy-
ing, renaming, deleting and storing them to disk. EViews provides a number of auxiliary
commands which perform these operations. The following discussion introduces you to
the use of these commands; a full description of each command is provided in
Appendix B, Command Reference, on page 193.
Copying Objects
You may create a duplicate copy of one or more objects using the copy (p. 244) command.
The copy command is an auxiliary command with the format:
copy source_name dest_name
where source_name is the name of the object you wish to duplicate, and dest_name is
the name you want attached to the new copy of the object.
The copy command may also be used to copy objects in databases and to move objects
between workfiles and databases.
Copy with Wildcard Characters
EViews supports the use of wildcard characters (? for a single character match and *
for a pattern match) in destination specifications when using the copy and rename com-
mands. Using this feature, you can copy or rename a set of objects whose names share a
common pattern in a single operation. This can be useful for managing series produced by
model simulations, series corresponding to pool cross-sections, and any other situation
where you have a set of objects which share a common naming convention.
A destination wildcard pattern can be used only when a wildcard pattern has been pro-
vided for the source, and the destination pattern must always conform to the source pat-
tern in that the number and order of wildcard characters must be exactly the same
between the two. For example, the patterns:
conform to each other. These patterns do not:
When using wildcards, the destination name is formed by replacing each wildcard in the
destination pattern by the characters from the source name that matched the correspond-
ing wildcard in the source pattern. Some examples should make this principle clear:
Source Pattern Destination Pattern
x* y*
*c b*
x*12? yz*f?abc
Source Pattern Destination Pattern
a* b
*x ?y
x*y* *x*y*
Managing Objects15
Note, as shown in the second example, that a simple asterisk for the destination pattern
does not mean to use the unaltered source name as the destination name. To copy objects
between containers preserving the existing name, either repeat the source pattern as the
destination pattern,
copy x* db1::x*
or omit the destination pattern entirely:
copy x* db1::
If you use wildcard characters in the source name and give a destination name without a
wildcard character, EViews will keep overwriting all objects which match the source pat-
tern to the name given as destination.
For additional discussion of wildcards, see Appendix B, Wildcards, on page 921 of the
Users Guide.
Renaming Objects
You can give an object a different name using the rename (p. 394) command. The rename
command has the format:
rename source_name dest_name
where source_name is the original name of the object and dest_name is the new name you
would like to give to the object.
rename can also be used to rename objects in databases.
You may use wildcards when renaming series. The name substitution rules are identical to
those described above for copy.
Deleting Objects
Objects may be removed from the workfile using the delete (p. 263) command. The
delete command has the format:
Source Pattern Destination Pattern Source Name Destination Name
*_base *_jan x_base x_jan
us_* * us_gdp gdp
x? x?f x1 x1f
*_* **f us_gdp usgdpf
??*f ??_* usgdpf us_gdp
delete name_pattern
where name_pattern can either be a simple name such as XYZ, or a pattern containing
the wildcard characters ? and *, where ? means to match any one character, and
* means to match zero or more characters. When a pattern is provided, all objects in the
workfile with names matching the pattern will be deleted. Appendix B, Wildcards, on
page 921 of the Users Guide describes further the use of wildcards.
delete can also be used to remove objects from databases.
Saving Objects
All named objects will be saved automatically in the workfile when the workfile is saved to
disk. You can store and retrieve the current workfile to and from disk using the wfsave
(p. 512) and wfopen (p. 504) commands. Unnamed objects will not be saved as part of the
workfile.
You can also save objects for later use by storing them in a database. The store (p. 465)
command has the format:
store(option_list) object1 object2
where object1, object2, ..., are the names of the objects you would like to store in the data-
base. If no options are provided, the series will be stored in the current default database
(see Chapter 10 of the Users Guide for a discussion of the default database). You can store
objects into a particular database by using the option d=db_name or by prepending the
object name with a database name followed by a double colon ::, such as:
store db1::x db2::x
Fetch Objects
You can retrieve objects from a database using the fetch (p. 279) command. The fetch
command has the same format as the store command:
fetch(option_list) object1 object2
To specify a particular database use the d= option or the :: extension as for store.
Basic Command Summary
The following list summarizes the EViews basic commands. The full descriptions of these
commands are given in Appendix B, Command Reference, beginning on page 193.
A list of views and procedures available for each object may be found in Appendix A,
Object, View and Procedure Reference, on page 151. Commands for working with matrix
Basic Command Summary17
objects are listed in Chapter 3, Matrix Language, on page 23, and EViews programming
expressions are described in Chapter 6, EViews Programming, beginning on page 83.
Command Actions
do.........................execute action without opening window (p. 267).
freeze ...................create view object (p. 290).
print .....................print view (p. 387).
show ....................show object window (p. 445).
Global Commands
cd.........................change default directory (p. 229).
exit .......................exit the EViews program (p. 279).
output ..................redirect printer output (p. 361).
param...................set parameter values (p. 383).
rndseed ................set the seed of the random number generator (p. 403).
smpl .....................set current workfile sample (p. 449).
setconvert .............set the default frequency conversion method (p. 424).
Object Creation Commands
alpha ....................alpha series (p. 201).
coef ......................coefficient vector (p. 238).
equation ...............equation object (p. 275).
frml ......................numeric or alpha series object with a formula for auto-updating
(p. 293).
genr......................numeric or alpha series object (p. 295).
graph....................graph objectcreate using a graph command or by merging exist-
ing graphs (p. 303).
group....................group object (p. 304).
link ......................series or alpha link object (p. 323).
logl.......................likelihood object (p. 328).
matrix ..................matrix object (p. 350).
model ...................model object (p. 353).
pool......................pool object (p. 386).
rowvector .............rowvector object (p. 404).
sample..................sample object (p. 406).
scalar....................scalar object (p. 410).
series....................numeric series (p. 418).
sspace...................sspace object (p. 457).
sym ..................... sym object (p. 471).
system ................. system object (p. 472).
table .................... table object (p. 457).
text ...................... text object (p. 482).
valmap................. valmap object (p. 499).
var....................... var estimation object (p. 500).
vector .................. vector object (p. 499).
Object Container, Data, and File Commands
ccopy................... copy series from DRI database (p. 229).
cfetch................... fetch series from DRI database (p. 234).
clabel................... display DRI series description (p. 237).
close .................... close object, program, or workfile (p. 238).
create................... create a new workfile (p. 250).
db........................ open or create a database (p. 254).
dbcopy................. make copy of a database (p. 255).
dbcreate ............... create a new database (p. 255).
dbdelete ............... delete a database (p. 256).
dbopen ................ open a database (p. 257).
dbpack................. pack a database (p. 258).
dbrebuild ............. rebuild a database (p. 258).
dbrename............. rename a database (p. 259).
dbrepair ............... repair a database (p. 260).
driconvert ............ convert the entire DRI database to an EViews database (p. 269).
expand................. expand workfile range (p. 279).
fetch .................... fetch objects from databases or databank files (p. 279).
hconvert .............. convert an entire Haver Analytics database to an EViews database
(p. 305).
hfetch .................. fetch series from a Haver Analytics database (p. 306).
hlabel .................. obtain label from a Haver Analytics database (p. 309).
load ..................... load a workfile (p. 327).
open .................... open a program or text (ASCII) file (p. 356).
pageappend.......... append observations to workfile page (p. 364).
pagecontract......... contract workfile page (p. 366).
pagecopy.............. copy contents of a workfile page (p. 367).
pagecreate............ create a workfile page (p. 369).
pagedelete............ delete a workfile page (p. 371).
pageload...............load one or more pages into a workfile from a workfile or a foreign
data source (p. 371).
pagerename ..........rename a workfile page (p. 372).
pagesave...............save page into a workfile or a foreign data source (p. 373).
pageselect .............make specified page active (p. 374).
pagestack..............reshape the workfile page by stacking observations (p. 375).
pagestruct .............apply a workfile structure to the page (p. 378).
pageunstack..........reshape the workfile page by unstacking observations into multi-
ple series (p. 381).
range ....................reset the workfile range (p. 391).
save......................save workfile to disk (p. 407).
sort.......................sort the workfile (p. 453).
unlink ..................break links in series objects (p. 491).
wfcreate................create a new workfile (p. 503).
wfopen .................open workfile or foreign source data as a workfile (p. 504).
wfsave ..................save workfile to disk as a workfile or a foreign data source
(p. 512).
wfselect ................change active workfile page (p. 514).
workfile................create or change active workfile (p. 517).
write ....................write series to a disk file (p. 517).
Object Utility Commands
close.....................close window of an object, program, or workfile (p. 238).
copy .....................copy objects (p. 244).
delete ...................delete objects (p. 263).
rename .................rename object (p. 394).
Object Assignment Commands
data......................enter data from keyboard (p. 252).
frml ......................assign formula for auto-updating to a numeric or alpha series
object (p. 293).
genr......................create numeric or alpha series object.(p. 295).
rndint ...................assign random integer values to object (p. 528).
rndseed ................set random number generator seed (p. 403).
Graph Commands
area ......................area graph (p. 207).
bar .......................bar graph (p. 215).
errbar .................. error bar graph (p. 276).
hilo...................... high-low(-open-close) graph (p. 307).
line...................... line-symbol graph (p. 320).
pie ....................... pie chart (p. 384).
scat...................... scatterplot (p. 412).
spike.................... spike graph (p. 455).
xy........................ XY graph with one or more X plotted against one or more Y
(p. 528).
xyline .................. XY line graph (p. 530).
xypair .................. XY pairs graph (p. 528).
Table Commands
setcell .................. format and fill in a table cell (p. 422).
setcolwidth .......... set width of a table column (p. 423).
setline.................. place a horizontal line in table (p. 439).
Programming Commands
open .................... open a program file (p. 356).
output.................. redirects print output to objects or files (p. 361).
poff...................... turns off automatic printing in programs (p. 608).
pon...................... turns on automatic printing in programs (p. 608).
program............... create a new program (p. 389).
run ...................... read data from a foreign disk file (p. 405).
statusline ............. open a file (p. 463).
tic........................ reset the timer (p. 482).
toc ....................... display elapsed time (since timer reset) in seconds (p. 483).
Interactive Use Commands
arch..................... estimate autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (ARCH and
GARCH) models (p. 203).
archtest................ LM test for the presence of ARCH in the residuals (p. 206).
auto..................... Breusch-Godfrey serial correlation Lagrange Multiplier (LM) test
(p. 212).
binary.................. binary dependent variable models (includes probit, logit, gompit)
models (p. 217).
cause ................... pairwise Granger causality tests (p. 228).
censored .............. estimate censored and truncated regression (includes tobit) mod-
els (p. 233).
chow....................Chow breakpoint and forecast tests for structural change (p. 236).
coint .....................Johansen cointegration test (p. 240).
cor........................correlation matrix (p. 246).
count ....................count data modeling (includes poisson, negative binomial and
quasi-maximum likelihood count models) (p. 248).
cov .......................covariance matrix (p. 250).
cross.....................cross correlogram (p. 251).
fit .........................static forecast from an equation (p. 285).
forecast.................dynamic forecast from an equation (p. 287).
gmm.....................generalized method of moments estimation (p. 297).
hist.......................histogram and descriptive statistics (p. 308).
hpf .......................Hodrick-Prescott filter (p. 310).
logit......................logit (binary) estimation (p. 328).
ls..........................linear and nonlinear least squares regression (includes weighted
least squares and ARMAX) (p. 329).
ordered.................ordinal dependent variable models (includes ordered probit,
ordered logit, and ordered extreme value models) (p. 360).
probit ...................probit (binary) estimation (p. 388).
reset .....................Ramseys RESET test for functional form (p. 397).
seas ......................seasonal adjustment for quarterly and monthly time series
(p. 417).
smooth .................exponential smoothing (p. 447).
solve.....................solve a model (p. 451).
stats......................descriptive statistics (p. 462).
testadd..................likelihood ratio test for adding variables to equation (p. 474).
testdrop ................likelihood ratio test for dropping variables from equation (p. 477).
tsls .......................linear and nonlinear two-stage least squares (TSLS) regression
models (includes weighted TSLS, and TSLS with ARMA errors)
(p. 487).
Chapter 3. Matrix Language
EViews provides you with tools for working directly with data contained in matrices and
vectors. You can use the EViews matrix language to perform calculations that are not avail-
able using the built-in views and procedures.
The following objects can be created and manipulated using the matrix command lan-
guage:
coef: column vector of coefficients to be used by equation, system, pool, logl, and
sspace objects
matrix: two-dimensional array
rowvector: row vector
scalar: scalar
sym: symmetric matrix (stored in lower triangular form)
vector: column vector
We term these objects matrix objects (despite the fact that some of these objects are not
matrices).
Declaring Matrices
You must declare matrix objects prior to use. Detailed descriptions of declaration state-
ments for the various matrix objects are provided in Appendix A, Object, View and Proce-
dure Reference, on page 151.
Briefly, a declaration consists of the object keyword, followed either by size information in
parentheses and the name to be given to the object, followed (optionally) by an assign-
ment statement. If no assignment is provided, the object will be initialized to have all zero
values.
The various matrix objects require different sizing information. A matrix requires the num-
ber of rows and the number of columns. A sym requires that you specify a single number
representing both the number of rows and the number of columns. A vector, rowvector, or
coef declaration can include information about the number of elements. A scalar requires
no size information. If size information is not provided, EViews will assume that there is
only one element in the object.
For example:
matrix(3,10) xdata
24Chapter 3. Matrix Language
sym(9) moments
vector(11) betas
rowvector(5) xob
creates a matrix XDATA, a symmetric matrix MOMENTS, an column
vector BETAS, and a rowvector XOB. All of these objects are initialized to zero.
To change the size of a matrix object, you can repeat the declaration statement. Further-
more, if you use an assignment statement with an existing matrix object, the target will be
resized as necessary. For example:
sym(10) bigz
matrix zdata
matrix(10,2) zdata
zdata = bigz
will first declare ZDATA to be a matrix with a single element, and then redeclare ZDATA to
be a matrix. The assignment statement in the last line will resize ZDATA so that it
contains the contents of the symmetric matrix BIGZ.
Assigning Matrix Values
There are three ways to assign values to the elements of a matrix: you may assign values to
specific matrix elements, you may fill the matrix using a list of values, or you may perform
matrix assignment.
Element assignment
The most basic method of assigning matrix values is to assign a value for a specific row
and column element of the matrix. Simply enter the matrix name, followed by the row and
column indices, in parentheses, and then an assignment to a scalar value.
For example, suppose we declare the matrix A:
matrix(2,2) a
The first command creates and initializes the matrix A so that it contains all zeros.
Then after entering the two commands:
a(1,1) = 1
a(2,1) = 4
we have
. (3.1)
3 10 9 9 11 1
1 5
10 2
10 10
2 2
2 2
A
1 0
4 0
=
Assigning Matrix Values25
You can perform a large number of element assignments by placing them inside of pro-
gramming loops:
vector(10) y
matrix (10,10) x
for !i = 1 to 10
y(!i) = !i
for !j = 1 to 10
x(!i,!j) = !i + !j
next
next
Note that the fill procedure provides an alternative to using loops for assignment.
Fill assignment
The second assignment method is to use the fill procedure to assign a list of numbers to
each element of the matrix in the specified order. By default, the procedure fills the matrix
column by column, but you may override this behavior.
You should enter the name of the matrix object, followed by a period, the fill keyword,
and then a comma delimited list of values. For example, the commands:
vector(3) v
v1.fill 0.1, 0.2, 0.3
matrix(2,4) x
matrix.fill 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
create the matrix objects:
(3.2)
If we replace the last line with
matrix.fill(b=r) 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
then X is given by:
. (3.3)
V
0.1
0.2
0.3
, = X
1 3 5 7
2 4 6 8
=
X
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8
=
In some situations, you may wish to repeat the assignment over a list of values. You may
use the l option to fill the matrix by repeatedly looping through the listed numbers until
the matrix elements are exhausted. Thus,
matrix(3,3) y
y.fill(l) 1, 0, -1
creates the matrix:
(3.4)
See fill (p. 282) for a complete description of the fill procedure.
Matrix assignment
You can copy data from one matrix object into another using assignment statements. To
perform an assignment, you should enter the name of the target matrix followed by the
equal sign =, and then a matrix object expression. The expression on the right-hand
side should either be a numerical constant, a matrix object, or an expression that returns a
matrix object.
There are a variety of rules for how EViews performs the assignment that depend upon the
types of objects involved in the assignment.
Scalar values on the right-hand side
If there is a scalar on the right-hand side of the assignment, every element of the matrix
object is assigned the value of the scalar.
Examples:
matrix(5,8) first
scalar second
vec(10) third
first = 5
second = c(2)
third = first(3,5)
Since declaration statements allow for initialization, you can combine the declaration and
assignment statements. Examples:
matrix(5,8) first = 5
scalar second = c(2)
vec(10) third = first(3,5)
Y
1 1 1
0 0 0
1 1 1
=
Copying Data Between Objects27
Same object type on right-hand side
If the source object on the right is a matrix or vector, and the target or destination object on
the left is of the same type, the target will be resized to have the same dimension as the
source, and every source element will be copied. For example:
matrix(10,2) zdata = 5
matrix ydata = zdata
matrix(10,10) xdata = ydata
declares that ZDATA is a matrix filled with 5s. YDATA is automatically resized to
be a matrix and is filled with the contents of ZDATA.
Note that even though the declaration of XDATA calls for a matrix, XDATA is a
matrix of 5s. This behavior occurs because the declaration statement above is
equivalent to issuing the two commands:
matrix(10,10) xdata
xdata = ydata
which will first declare the matrix XDATA, and then automatically resize it to
when you fill it with the values for YDATA.
The next section discusses assignment statements in the more general case, where you are
converting between object types. In some cases, the conversion is automatic; in other
cases, EViews provides you with additional tools to perform the conversion.
Copying Data Between Objects
In addition to the basic assignment statements described in the previous section, EViews
provides you with a large set of tools for copying data to and from matrix objects.
At times, you may wish to move data between different types of matrix objects. For exam-
ple, you may wish to take the data from a vector and put it in a matrix. EViews has a num-
ber of built-in rules which make these conversions automatically.
At other times, you may wish to move data between a matrix object and an EViews series
or group object. There are a separate set of tools which allow you to convert data across a
variety of object types.
Copying data from matrix objects
Data may be moved between different types of matrix objects using assignments. If possi-
ble, EViews will resize the target object so that it contains the same information as the
object on the right side of the equation.
The basic rules governing expressions of the form Y=X may be summarized as follows:
10 2
10 2
10 10
10 2
10 10
10 2
Object type of Y does not change.
The target object Y will, if possible, be resized to match the object X; otherwise,
EViews will issue an error. Thus, assigning a vector to a matrix will resize the
matrix, but assigning a matrix to a vector will generate an error if the matrix has
more than one column.
The data in X will be copied to Y.
Specific exceptions to the rules given above are:
If X is a scalar, Y will keep its original size and will be filled with the value of X.
If X and Y are both vector or rowvector objects, Y will be changed to the same type
as X.
Summary of Automatic Resizing of Matrix Objects on page 42 contains a complete sum-
mary of the conversion rules for matrix objects.
Here are some simple examples illustrating the rules for matrix assignment:
vector(3) x
x(1) = 1
x(2) = 2
x(3) = 3
vector y = x
matrix z = x
Y is now a 3 element vector because it has the same dimension and values as X. EViews
automatically resizes the Z Matrix to conform to the dimensions of X so that Z is now a
matrix containing the contents of X: Z(1,1)=1, Z(2,1)=2, Z(3,1)=3.
Here are some further examples where automatic resizing is allowed:
vector(7) y = 2
scalar value = 4
matrix(10,10) w = value
w = y
matrix(2,3) x = 1
rowvector(10) t = 100
x = t
W is declared as a matrix of 4s, but it is then reset to be a matrix of 2s. X
is a matrix of 100s.
Lastly, consider the commands:
3 1
10 10 7 1
1 10
vector(7) y = 2
rowvector(12) z = 3
coef(20) beta
y = z
z = beta
Y will be a rowvector of length 3, containing the original contents of Z, and Z will be a col-
umn vector of length 20 containing the contents of BETA.
There are some cases where EViews will be unable to perform the specified assignment
because the resize operation is not defined. For example, suppose that X is a matrix.
Then the assignment statement:
vector(7) y = x
will result in an error. EViews cannot change Y from a vector to a matrix and there is no
way to assign the 4 elements of the matrix X to the vector Y. Other examples of invalid
assignment statements involve assigning matrix objects to scalars or sym objects to vector
objects.
Copying data from parts of matrix objects
In addition to the standard rules for conversion of data between objects, EViews provides
functions for extracting and assigning parts of matrix objects. Matrix functions are
described in greater detail later in this chapter. For now, note that some functions take a
matrix object and perhaps other parameters as arguments and return a matrix object.
A comprehensive list of the EViews commands and functions that may be used for matrix
object conversion appears in Utility Functions and Commands on page 44. However, a
few examples will provide you with a sense of the type of operations that may be per-
formed.
Suppose first that you are interested in copying data from a matrix into a vector. The fol-
lowing commands will copy data from M1 and SYM1 into the vectors V1, V2, V3, and V4.
matrix(10, 10) m1
sym(10) sym1
vector v1 = @vec(m1)
vector v2 = @columnextract(m1,3)
vector v3 = @rowextract(m1,4)
vector v4 = @columnextract(sym1,5)
The @vec function creates a 100 element vector, V1, from the columns of M1 stacked one
on top of another. V2 will be a 10 element vector containing the contents of the third col-
2 2
umn of M1 while V3 will be a 10 element vector containing the fourth row of M1. The
@vec, @rowextract, and @columnextract functions also work with sym objects. V4 is
a 10 element vector containing the fifth column of SYM1.
You can also copy data from one matrix into a smaller matrix using @subextract. For
example:
matrix(20,20) m1=1
matrix m2 = @subextract(m1,5,5,10,7)
matrix m3 = @subextract(m1,5,10)
matrix m4 = m1
M2 is a matrix containing a submatrix of M1 defined by taking the part of the matrix
M1 beginning at row 5 and column 5, and ending at row 10 and column 7. M3 is the
matrix taken from M1 at row 5 and column 10 to the last element of the matrix
(row 20 and column 20). In contrast, M4 is defined to be an exact copy of the full
matrix.
Data from a matrix may be copied into another matrix object using the commands col-
place, rowplace, and matplace. Consider the commands:
matrix(100,5) m1 = 0
matrix(100,2) m2 = 1
vector(100) v1 = 3
rowvector(100) v2 = 4
matplace(m1,m2,1,3)
colplace(m1,v1,3)
rowplace(m1,v2,80)
The matplace command places M2 in M1 beginning at row 1 and column 3. V1 is placed
in column 3 of M1, while V2 is placed in row 80 of M1.
Copying data between matrix objects and other objects
The previous sections described techniques for copying data between matrix objects such
as vectors, matrices and scalars. In this section, we describe techniques for copying data
between matrix objects and other EViews objects such as series and groups.
Keep in mind that there are two primary differences between the ordinary series or group
objects and the matrix objects. First, operations involving series and groups use informa-
tion about the current workfile sample, while matrix objects do not. Second, there are
important differences in the handling of missing values (NAs) between the two types of
objects.
6 3
16 11
20 20
Direct Assignment
The easiest method to copy data from series or group objects to a matrix object is to use
direct assignment. Place the destination matrix object on the left side of an equal sign, and
place the series or group to be converted on the right.
If you use a series object on the right, EViews will only include the observations from the
current sample to make the vector. If you place a group object on the right, EViews will
create a rectangular matrix, again only using observations from the current sample.
While very convenient, there are two principal limitations of this approach. First, EViews
will only include observations in the current sample when copying the data. Second,
observations containing missing data (NAs) for a series, or for any series in the group, are
not placed in the matrix. Thus, if the current sample contains 20 observations, but the
series or group contains missing data, the dimension of the vector or matrix will be less
than 20. Below, we provide you with methods which allow you to override the current
sample and to retain missing values.
Examples:
smpl 1963:3 1993:6
fetch hsf gmpyq
group mygrp hsf gmpyq
vector xvec = gmpyq
matrix xmat = mygrp
These statements create the vector XVEC and the two column matrix XMAT containing the
non-missing series and group data from 1963:3 to 1993:6. Note that if GMPYQ has a miss-
ing value in 1970:01, and HSF contains a missing value in 1980:01, both observations for
both series will be excluded from XMAT.
When performing matrix assignment, you may refer to an element of a series, just as you
would refer to an element of a vector, by placing an index value in parentheses after the
name. An index value i refers to the i-th element of the series from the beginning of the
workfile range. For example, if the range of the current annual workfile is 1961 to 1980, the
expression GNP(6) refers to the 1966 value of GNP. These series element expressions may
be used in assigning specific series values to matrix elements, or to assign matrix values to
a specific series element. For example:
matrix(5,10) x
series yser = nrnd
x(1,1) = yser(4)
yser(5) = x(2,3)
yser(6) = 4000.2
assigns the fourth value of the series YSER to X(1,1), and assigns to the fifth and sixth val-
ues of YSER, the X(2,3) value and the scalar value 4000.2, respectively.
While matrix assignments allow you to refer to elements of series as though they were ele-
ments of vectors, you cannot generally use series in place of vectors. Most vector and
matrix operations will error if you use a series in place of a vector. For example, you cannot
perform a rowplace command using a series name.
Furthermore, note that when you are not performing matrix assignment, a series name fol-
lowed by a number in parentheses will indicate that the lag/lead operator be applied to the
entire series. Thus, when used in generating series or in an equation, system, or model
specification, GNP(6) refers to the sixth lead of the GNP series. To refer to specific ele-
ments of the GNP series in these settings, you should use the @elem function.
Copy using @convert
The @convert function takes a series or group object and, optionally, a sample object,
and returns a vector or rectangular matrix. If no sample is provided, @convert will use
the workfile sample. The sample determines which series elements are included in the
matrix. Example:
smpl 61 90
group groupx inv gdp m1
vector v = @convert(gdp)
matrix x = @convert(groupx)
X is a matrix with the first column containing data from INV, the second column
from GDP, and the third column from M1.
As with direct assignment, the @convert function excludes observations for which the
series or any of the series in the group contain missing data. If, in the example above, INV
contains missing observations in 1970 and 1980, V would be a 29 element vector while X
would be a matrix. This will cause errors in subsequent operations that require V
and X to have a common row dimension.
There are two primary advantages of using @convert over direct assignment. First, since
@convert is a function, it may be used in the middle of a matrix expression. Second, an
optional second argument allows you to specify a sample to be used in conversion. For
example:
sample s1.set 1950 1990
matrix x = @convert(grp,s1)
sym y = @inverse(@inner(@convert(grp,s1)))
performs the conversion using the sample defined in S1.
30 3
28 3
Copy data between Series and Matrices
EViews also provides three useful commands that perform explicit conversions between
series and matrices with control over both the sample, and the handling of NAs.
stom (Series TO Matrix) takes a series or group object and copies its data to a vector or
matrix using either the current workfile sample, or the optionally specified sample. As with
direct assignment, the stom command excludes observations for which the series or any of
the series in the group contain missing data.
Example:
sample smpl_cnvrt.set 1950 1995
smpl 1961 1990
group group1 gnp gdp money
vector(46) vec1
matrix(3,30) mat1
stom(gdp,vec1,smpl_cnvrt)
stom(group1,mat1)
While the operation of stom is similar to @convert, stom is a command and cannot be
included in a matrix expression. Furthermore, unlike @convert, the destination matrix or
vector must already exist and have the proper dimension.
stomna (Series TO Matrix with NAs) works identically to stom, but does not exclude
observations for which there are missing values. The elements of the series for the relevant
sample will map directly into the target vector or matrix. Thus,
smpl 1951 2000
vector(50) gvector
stom(gdp,gvector)
will always create a 50 element vector GVECTOR that contains the values of GDP from
1951 to 2000, including observations with NAs.
mtos (Matrix TO Series) takes a matrix or vector and copies its data into an existing series
or group, using the current workfile sample or a sample that you provide.
Examples:
mtos(mat1,group1)
mtos(vec1,resid)
mtos(mat2,group1,smpl1)
As with stom the destination series or group must already exist and the destination dimen-
sion given by the sample must match that of the source vector or matrix.
Matrix Expressions
A matrix expression is an expression which combines matrix objects using mathematical
operators or relations, functions, and parentheses. While we discuss matrix functions in
great detail below, some examples will demonstrate the relevant issues.
Examples:
@inner(@convert(grp,s1))
mat1*vec1
@inverse(mat1+mat2)*vec1
mat1 > mat2
EViews uses the following rules to determine the order in which the expression will be
evaluated:
You may nest any number of pairs of parentheses to clarify the order of operations in
a matrix expression.
If you do not use parentheses, the operations are applied in the following order:
1. Unary negation operator and functions
2. Multiplication and division operators
3. Addition and subtraction operators
4. Comparison operators: >=, >, <=, <, <>
Examples:
@inverse(mat1+mat2)+@inverse(mat3+mat4)
vec1*@inverse(mat1+mat2)*@transpose(vec1)
In the first example, the matrices MAT1 and MAT2 will be added and then inverted. Simi-
larly the matrices MAT3 and MAT4 are added and then inverted. Finally, the two inverses
will be added together. In the second example, EViews first inverts MAT1+MAT2 and uses
the result to calculate a quadratic form with VEC1.
Matrix Operators
EViews provides standard mathematical operators for matrix objects.
Negation ()
The unary minus changes the sign of every element of a matrix object, yielding a matrix or
vector of the same dimension. Example:
Matrix Expressions35
matrix jneg = -jpos
Addition (+)
You can add two matrix objects of the same type and size. The result is a matrix object of
the same type and size. Example:
matrix(3,4) a
matrix(3,4) b
matrix sum = a + b
You can add a square matrix and a sym of the same dimension. The upper triangle of the
sym is taken to be equal to the lower triangle. Adding a scalar to a matrix object adds the
scalar value to each element of the matrix or vector object.
Subtraction ()
The rules for subtraction are the same as the rules for addition. Example:
matrix(3,4) a
matrix(3,4) b
matrix dif = a - b
Subtracting a scalar object from a matrix object subtracts the scalar value from every ele-
ment of the matrix object.
Multiplication (*)
You can multiply two matrix objects if the number of columns of the first matrix is equal to
the number of rows of the second matrix.
Example:
matrix(5,9) a
matrix(9,22) b
matrix prod = a * b
In this example, PROD will have 5 rows and 22 columns.
One or both of the matrix objects can be a sym. Note that the product of two sym objects
is a matrix, not a sym. The @inner function will produce a sym by multiplying a matrix
by its own transpose.
You can premultiply a matrix or a sym by a vector if the number of columns of the matrix
is the same as the number of elements of the vector. The result is a vector whose dimen-
sion is equal to the number of rows of the matrix.
Example:
matrix(5,9) mat
vector(9) vec
vector res = mat * vec
In this example, RES will have 5 elements.
You can premultiply a rowvector by a matrix or a sym if the number of elements of the
rowvector is the same as the number of rows of the matrix. The result is a rowvector
whose dimension is equal to the number of columns of the matrix.
Example:
rowvector rres
matrix(5,9) mat
rowvector(5) row
rres = row * mat
In this example, RRES will have 9 elements.
You can multiply a matrix object by a scalar. Each element of the original matrix is multi-
plied by the scalar. The result is a matrix object of the same type and dimensions as the
original matrix. The scalar can come before or after the matrix object. Examples:
matrix prod = 3.14159*orig
matrix xxx = d_mat*7
Division (/)
You can divide a matrix object by a scalar. Example:
matrix z = orig/3
Each element of the object ORIG will be divided by 3.
Relational Operators (=, >, >=, <, <=, <>)
Two matrix objects of the same type and size may be compared using the comparison
operators (). The result is a scalar logical value. Every pair of corresponding elements is
tested, and if any pair fails the test, the value 0 (FALSE) is returned; otherwise, the value 1
(TRUE) is returned.
For example, the commands:
if result <> value then
run crect
endif
Matrix Commands and Functions37
It is possible for a vector to be not greater than, not less than, and not equal to a second
vector. For example:
vector(2) v1
vector(2) v2
v1(1) = 1
v1(2) = 2
v2(1) = 2
v2(2) = 1
Since the first element of V1 is smaller than the first element of V2, V1 is not greater than
V2. Since the second element of V1 is larger than the second element of V2, V1 is not less
than V2. The two vectors are not equal.
Matrix Commands and Functions
EViews provides a number of commands and functions that allow you to work with the
contents of your matrix objects. These commands and functions may be divided into
roughly four distinct types:
1. Utility Commands and Functions
2. Matrix Algebra Functions
3. Descriptive Statistics Functions
4. Element Functions
The utility commands and functions provide support for creating, manipulating, and
assigning values to your matrix objects. We have already seen the @convert function and
the stom command, both of which convert data from series and groups into vectors and
matrices.
The matrix algebra functions allow you to perform common matrix algebra manipulations
and computations. Among other things, you can use these routines to compute eigenval-
ues, eigenvectors and determinants of matrices, to invert matrices, to solve linear systems
of equations, and to perform singular value decompositions.
The descriptive statistics functions compute summary statistics for the data in the matrix
object. You can compute statistics such as the mean, median, minimum, maximum, and
variance, over all of the elements in your matrix.
The matrix element functions allow you create a new matrix containing the values of a
function evaluated at each element of another matrix object. Most of the functions that are
available in series expressions may be applied to matrix objects. You can compute the log-
arithm of every element of a matrix, or the cumulative normal distribution at every ele-
ment of a vector.
A listing of the commands and functions is included in the matrix summary on page 44.
Functions for computing descriptive statistics for data in matrices are discussed in
Descriptive Statistics on page 547. Additional details on matrix element computations
are provided in Matrix Operators on page 34.
Functions versus Commands
A function generally takes arguments, and always returns a result. Functions are easily
identified by the initial @ character in the function name.
There are two basic ways that you can use a function. First, you may assign the result to an
EViews object. This object may then be used in other EViews expressions, providing you
access to the result in subsequent calculations. For example:
matrix y = @transpose(x)
stores the transpose of matrix X in the matrix Y. Since Y is a standard EViews matrix, it
may be used in all of the usual expressions.
Second, you may use a function as part of a matrix expression. Since the function result is
used in-line, it will not be assigned to a named object, and will not be available for further
use. For example, the command:
scalar z = vec1*@inverse(v1+v2)*@transpose(vec1)
uses the results of the @inverse and @transpose functions in forming the scalar expres-
sion assigned to Z. These function results will not be available for subsequent computa-
tions.
By contrast, a command takes object names and expressions as arguments, and operates
on the named objects. Commands do not return a value.
Commands, which do not have a leading @ character, must be issued alone on a line,
rather than as part of a matrix expression. For example, to convert a series X to a vector
V1, you would enter:
stom(x,v1)
Because the command does not return any values, it may not be used in a matrix expres-
sion.
Matrix Views and Procs39
NA Handling
As noted above, most of the methods of moving data from series and groups into matrix
objects will automatically drop observations containing missing values. It is still possible,
however, to encounter matrices which contain missing values.
For example, the automatic NA removal may be overridden using the stomna command
(p. 464). Additionally, some of the element operators may generate missing values as a
result of standard matrix operations. For example, taking element-by-element logarithms of
a matrix using @log will generate NAs for all cells containing nonpositive values.
EViews follows two simple rules for handling matrices that contain NAs. For all operators,
commands, and functions, except the descriptive statistics function, EViews works with the
full matrix object, processing NAs as required. For descriptive statistic functions, EViews
automatically drops NAs when performing the calculation. These rules imply the follow-
ing:
Matrix operators will generate NAs where appropriate. Adding together two matrices
that contain NAs will yield a matrix containing NAs in the corresponding cells. Mul-
tiplying two matrices will result in a matrix containing NAs in the appropriate rows
and columns.
All matrix algebra functions and commands will generate NAs, since these opera-
tions are undefined. For example, the Cholesky factorization of a matrix that con-
tains NAs will contain NAs.
All utility functions and commands will work as before, with NAs treated like any
other value. Copying the contents of a vector into a matrix using colplace will
place the contents, including NAs, into the target matrix.
All of the matrix element functions will propagate NAs when appropriate. Taking the
absolute value of a matrix will yield a matrix containing absolute values for non-
missing cells and NAs for cells that contain NAs.
The descriptive statistics functions are based upon the non-missing subset of the ele-
ments in the matrix. You can always find out how many values were used in the
computations by using the @OBS function.
Matrix Views and Procs
The object listing in Appendix A, Object, View and Procedure Reference, on page 151
lists the various views and procs for all of the matrix objects.
Matrix Graph and Statistics Views
All of the matrix objects, with the exception of the scalar object, have windows and views.
For example, you may display line and bar graphs for each column of the matrix Z:
z.line
z.bar(p)
Each column will be plotted against the row number of the matrix.
Additionally, you can compute descriptive statistics for each column of a matrix, as well as
the correlation and covariance matrix between the columns of the matrix:
z.stats
z.cor
z.cov
EViews performs listwise deletion by column, so that each group of column statistics is
computed using the largest possible set of observations.
The full syntax for the commands to display and print these views is listed in the object
reference.
Matrix input and output
EViews provides you with the ability to read and write files directly from matrix objects
using the read and write procedures.
You must supply the name of the source file. If you do not include the optional path speci-
fication, EViews will look for the file in the default directory. The input specification fol-
lows the source file name. Path specifications may point to local or network drives. If the
path specification contains a space, you must enclose the entire expression in double
quotes .
In reading from a file, EViews first fills the matrix with NAs, places the first data element in
the (1,1) element of the matrix, then continues to read the data by row or by column,
depending upon the options set.
The following command reads data into MAT1 from an Excel file CPS88 in the network
drive specified in the path directory. The data are read by column, and the upper left data
cell is A2.
mat1.read(a2,s=sheet3) "\\net1\dr 1\cps88.xls"
To read the same file by row, you should use the t option:
10 5
Matrix Operations versus Loop Operations41
mat1.read(a2,t,s=sheet3) "\\net1\dr 1\cps88.xls"
To write data from a matrix, use the write keyword, enter the desired options, then the
name of the output file. For example:
mat1.write mydt.txt
writes the data in MAT1 into the ASCII file MYDT.TXT located in the default directory.
There are many more options for controlling reading and writing of data; Chapter 5, Basic
Data Handling, on page 79 of the Users Guide provides extensive discussion. See also
read (p. 391) and write (p. 517).
Matrix Operations versus Loop Operations
You can perform matrix operations using element operations and loops instead of the built-
in functions and commands. For example, the inner product of two vectors may be com-
puted by evaluating the vectors element-by-element:
scalar inprod1 = 0
for !i = 1 to @rows(vec1)
inprod1 = inprod1 + vec1(!i)*vec2(!i)
next
This approach will, however, generally be much slower than using the built-in function:
scalar inprod2 = @inner(vec1,vec2)
You should use the built-in matrix operators rather than loop operators whenever you can.
The matrix operators are always much faster than the equivalent loop operations.
There will be cases when you cannot avoid using loop operations. For example, suppose
you wish to subtract the column mean from each element of a matrix. Such a calculation
might be useful in constructing a fixed effects regression estimator. First, consider a slow
method involving only loops and element operations:
matrix(2000,10) x = @convert(mygrp1)
scalar xsum
for !i = 1 to @columns(x)
xsum = 0
for !j = 1 to @rows(x)
xsum = xsum+x(!j,!i)
next
xsum = xsum/@rows(x)
for !j = 1 to @rows(x)
x(!j,!i) = x(!j,!i)-xsum
next
next
The loops are used to compute a mean for each column of data in X, and then to subtract
the value of the mean from each element of the column. A better and much faster method
for subtracting column means uses the built-in operators:
matrix x = @convert(mygrp1)
vector(@rows(x)) xmean
for !i = 1 to @columns(x)
xmean = @mean(@columnextract(x,!i))
colplace(x,@columnextract(x,!i)-xmean,!i)
next
This command extracts each column of X, computes the mean, and fills the vector XMEAN
with the column mean. You then subtract the mean from the column and place the result
back into the appropriate column of X. While you still need to loop over the control vari-
able !i, you avoid the need to loop over the elements of the columns.
Summary of Automatic Resizing of Matrix Objects
When you perform a matrix object assignment, EViews will resize, where possible, the
destination object to accommodate the contents of the source matrix. This resizing will
occur if the destination object type can be modified and sized appropriately and if the val-
ues of the destination may be assigned without ambiguity. You can, for example, assign a
matrix to a vector and vice versa, you can assign a scalar to a matrix, but you cannot assign
a matrix to a scalar since the EViews does not allow scalar resizing.
The following table summarizes the rules for resizing of matrix objects as a result of decla-
rations of the form
object_type y = x
where object_type is an EViews object type, or as the result of an assignment statement
for Y after an initial declaration, as in:
object_type y
y = x
Each row of the table corresponds to the specified type of the destination object, Y. Each
column represents the type and size of the source object, X. Each cell of the table shows
the type and size of object that results from the declaration or assignment.
Summary of Automatic Resizing of Matrix Objects43
For example, consider the command
matrix(500,4) y = x
where X is a coef of size 50. The object type is given by examining the table entry corre-
sponding to row matrix Y ( ), and column coef X ( ). The
entry reads matrix( ), so that the result Y is a matrix.
Object type and size for source X
Object type for Y coef(p) matrix(p,q)
coef(k) coef(p) invalid
matrix(n,k) matrix(p,1) matrix(p,q)
rowvector(k) rowvector(p) invalid
scalar invalid invalid
sym(k) invalid sym(p) if p=q
vector(n) vector(p) invalid
Object type for Y rowvector(q) scalar
coef(k) coef(q) coef(k)
matrix(n,k) matrix(1,q) matrix(n,k)
rowvector(k) rowvector(q) rowvector(k)
scalar invalid scalar
sym(k) invalid invalid
vector(n) rowvector(q) vector(n)
Object type for Y sym(p) vector(p)
coef(k) invalid coef(p)
matrix(n,k) matrix(p,p) matrix(p,1)
rowvector(k) invalid vector(p)
scalar invalid invalid
sym(k) sym(p) invalid
vector(n) invalid vector(p)
n 500 k , 4 = = p 50 =
p 1 , 50 1
Similarly, the command:
vector(30) y = x
where X is a 10 element rowvector, yields the 10 element rowvector Y. In essence, EViews
first creates the 30 element rowvector Y, then resizes it to match the size of X, then finally
assigns the values of X to the corresponding elements of Y.
Matrix Function and Command Summary
Utility Functions and Commands
colplace ............... Places column vector into matrix (p. 581).
@columnextract... Extracts column from matrix (p. 582).
@columns ........... Number of columns in matrix object (p. 582).
@convert ............. Converts series or group to a vector or matrix after removing NAs
(p. 583).
@explode............. Creates square matrix from a sym (p. 586).
@filledmatrix....... Creates matrix filled with scalar value (p. 586).
@filledrowvector.. Creates rowvector filled with scalar value (p. 587).
@filledsym .......... Creates sym filled with scalar value (p. 587).
@filledvector ....... Creates vector filled with scalar value (p. 587).
@getmaindiagonal Extracts main diagonal from matrix (p. 588).
@identity............. Creates identity matrix (p. 588).
@implode ............ Creates sym from lower triangle of square matrix (p. 588).
@makediagonal ... Creates a square matrix with ones down a specified diagonal and
zeros elsewhere (p. 591).
matplace .............. Places matrix object in another matrix object (p. 592).
mtos .................... Converts a matrix object to series or group (p. 592).
@permute............ Permutes the rows of the matrix (p. 594).
@resample........... Randomly draws from the rows of the matrix (p. 595).
@rowextract .......... Extracts rowvector from matrix object (p. 595).
rowplace .............. Places a rowvector in matrix object (p. 596).
@rows ................. Returns the number of rows in matrix object (p. 596).
stom.................... Converts series or group to vector or matrix after removing obser-
vations with NAs (p. 597).
stomna................. Converts series or group to vector or matrix without removing
observations with NAs (p. 597).
@subextract......... Extracts submatrix from matrix object (p. 598).
@transpose.......... Transposes matrix object (p. 600).
Matrix Function and Command Summary45
@unitvector..........Extracts column from an identity matrix (p. 600).
@vec ....................Stacks columns of a matrix object (p. 600).
@vech..................Stacks the lower triangular portion of matrix by column (p. 601).
Matrix Algebra Functions
@cholesky............Computes Cholesky factorization (p. 581).
@cond..................Calculates the condition number of a square matrix or sym
(p. 582).
@det ....................Calculate the determinant of a square matrix or sym (p. 585).
@eigenvalues .......Returns a vector containing the eigenvalues of a sym (p. 585).
@eigenvectors ......Returns a square matrix whose columns contain the eigenvectors
of a matrix (p. 586).
@inner .................Computes the inner product of two vectors or series, or the inner
product of a matrix object (p. 589).
@inverse ..............Returns the inverse of a square matrix object or sym (p. 590).
@issingular ..........Returns 1 if the square matrix or sym is singular, and 0 otherwise
(p. 590).
@kronecker..........Computes the Kronecker product of two matrix objects (p. 590).
@norm.................Computes the norm of a matrix object or series (p. 593).
@outer .................Computes the outer product of two vectors or series, or the outer
product of a matrix object (p. 593).
@rank..................Returns the rank of a matrix object (p. 594).
@solvesystem.......Solves system of linear equations, , for (p. 596).
@svd....................Performs singular value decomposition (p. 599).
@trace..................Computes the trace of a square matrix or sym (p. 599).
Matrix Descriptive Statistics Functions
@cor ....................Computes correlation between two vectors, or between the col-
umns of a matrix (p. 584).
@cov....................Computes covariance between two vectors, or between the col-
umns of a matrix (p. 584).
The remaining descriptive statistics functions that may be used with matrices and vectors
are described in Descriptive Statistics on page 547.
Matrix Element Functions
EViews supports matrix element versions of the following categories of functions:
Mx v = x
Category Matrix Element Support
Basic Mathematical Functions (p. 545) All, except for @inv
Special Functions (p. 550) All
Trigonometric Functions (p. 553) All
Statistical Distribution Functions (p. 554) All
Chapter 4. Working with Tables
There are three types of tables in EViews: tabular views, which are tables used in the dis-
play of views of other objects, named table objects, and unnamed table objects. The main
portion of this discussion focuses on the use of commands to customize the appearance of
named table objects. The latter portion of the chapter describes the set of tools that may be
used to customize the display characteristics of spreadsheet views of objects (see Custom-
izing Spreadsheet Views beginning on page 57).
You may use EViews commands to generate custom tables of formatted output from your
programs. A table object is an object made up of rows and columns of cells, each of which
can contain either a number or a string, as well as information used to control formatting
for display or printing.
Chapter 14, Graphs, Tables, and Text Objects, on page 403 of the Users Guide describes
various interactive tools for customizing table views and objects.
Creating a Table
There are two basic ways to create a table object: by freezing an object view, or by issuing
a table declaration.
Creating Tables from an Object View
You may create a table object from another object, by combining an object view command
with the freeze (p. 290) command. Simply follow the freeze keyword with an optional
name for the table object, and the tabular view to be frozen. For example, since the com-
mand
grp6.stats
displays the statistics view of the group GRP6, the command
freeze(mytab) grp6.stats
creates and displays a table object MYTAB containing the contents of the previous view.
You should avoid creating unnamed tables when using commands in programs since you
will be unable to refer to, or work with the resulting object using commands. If the MYTAB
option were omitted in the previous example, EViews would create and display an untitled
table object. This table object may be customized interactively, but may not be referred to
in programs. You may, of course, assign a name to the table interactively.
48Chapter 4. Working with Tables
Once you have created a named table object, you may use the various table object procs to
further customize the appearance of your table. See Customizing Tables beginning on
page 50.
Declaring Tables
To declare a table, indicate the number of rows and columns and provide a valid name. For
example:
table(10,20) bestres
creates a table with 10 rows and 20 columns named BESTRES. You can change the size of
a table by declaring it again. Re-declaring the table to a larger size does not destroy the
contents of the table; any cells in the new table that existed in the original table will con-
tain their previous values.
Tables are automatically resized when you attempt to fill a table cell outside the tables
current dimensions. This behavior is different from matrices which give an error when an
out of range element is accessed.
Assigning Table Values
You may modify the contents of cells in a table using assignment statements. Each cell of
the table can be assigned either a string or a numeric value.
Assigning Strings
To place a string value into a table cell, follow the table name by a cell location (row and
column pair in parentheses), then an equal sign and a string expression.
For example:
table bestres
bestres(1,6) = "convergence criterion"
%strvar = "lm test"
bestres(2,6) = %strvar
bestres(2,6) = bestres(2,6) + " with 5 df"
creates the table BESTRES and places various string values into cells of the table.
Assigning Numbers
Numbers can be entered directly into cells, or they can be converted to strings before being
placed in the table.
Unless there is a good reason to do otherwise, we recommend that numbers be entered
directly into table cells. If entered directly, the number will be displayed according to the
Assigning Table Values49
numerical format set for that cell; if the format is changed, the number will be redisplayed
according to the new format. If the number is first converted to a string, the number will
be frozen in that form and cannot be reformatted.
For example:
table tab1
tab1(3,4) = 15.345
tab1(4,2) = 1e-5
!ev = 10
tab1(5,1) = !ev
scalar f = 12345.67
tab1(6,2) = f
creates the table TAB1 and assigns numbers to various cells.
Assignment with Formatting
The setcell (p. 422) command is like direct cell assignment in that it allows you to set
the contents of a cell, but setcell also allows you to provide a set of formatting options
for the cell. If you desire greater control over formatting, or if you wish to alter the format
of a cell without altering its contents, you should use the tools outlined in Customizing
Tables beginning on page 50.
The setcell command takes the following arguments:
the name of the table
the row and the column of the cell
the number or string to be placed in the cell
(optionally) a justification code or a numerical format code, or both
The justification codes are:
c for centered (default)
r for right-justified
l for left-justified
The numerical format code determines the format with which a number in a cell is dis-
played; cells containing strings will be unaffected. The format code can either be a positive
integer, in which case it specifies the number of digits to be displayed after the decimal
point, or a negative integer, in which case it specifies the total number of characters to be
used to display the number. These two cases correspond to the fixed decimal and fixed
character fields in the number format dialog.
Note that when using a negative format code, one character is always reserved at the start
of a number to indicate its sign, and if the number contains a decimal point, that will also
be counted as a character. The remaining characters will be used to display digits. If the
number is too large or too small to display in the available space, EViews will attempt to
use scientific notation. If there is insufficient space for scientific notation (six characters or
less), the cell will contain asterisks to indicate an error.
Some examples of using setcell:
setcell(tabres,9,11,%label)
puts the contents of %LABEL into row 9, column 11 of the table TABRES.
setcell(big_tabl,1,1,%info,"c")
inserts the contents of %INFO in BIG_TAB1(1,1), and displays the cell with centered justi-
fication.
setcell(tab1,5,5,!data)
puts the number !DATA into cell (5,5) of table TAB1, with default numerical formatting.
setcell(tab1,5,6,!data,4)
puts the number !DATA into TAB1, with 4 digits to the right of the decimal point.
setcell(tab1,3,11,!data,"r",3)
puts the number !DATA into TAB1, right-justified, with 3 digits to the right of the decimal
point.
setcell(tab1,4,2,!data,-7)
puts the number in !DATA into TAB1, with 7 characters used for display.
Customizing Tables
EViews provides considerable control over the appearance of table objects, providing a
variety of table procedures allowing you specify row heights and column widths, content
formatting, justification, font face, size, and color, cell background color and borders. Cell
merging and annotation are also supported.
Column Width and Row Height
We begin by noting that if the contents of a cell are wider or taller than the display width
or height of the cell, part of the cell contents may not be visible. You may use the set-
width (p. 444) and setheight (p. 436) table procedures to change the dimensions of a
column or row of table cells.
To change the column widths for a set of columns in a table, use the setwidth keyword
followed by a column range specification in parentheses, and a desired width.
Customizing Tables51
The column range should be either a single column number or letter (e.g., 5, E), a
colon delimited range of columns (from low to high, e.g., 3:5, C:E), or the keyword
@ALL. The width unit is computed from representative characters in the default font for
the current table (the EViews table default font at the time the table was created), and cor-
responds roughly to a single character. Width values may be non-integer values with reso-
lution up to 1/10 of a unit. The default width value for columns in an unmodified table is
10.
For example, both commands
tab1.setwidth(2) 12
tab1.setwidth(B) 12
set the width of column 2 to 12 width units, while the command
tab1.setwidth(2:10) 20
sets the widths for columns 2 through 10 to 20 width units. To set all of the column widths,
use the @ALL keyword.
tab1.setwidth(@all) 20
Similarly, you may specify row heights using the setheight keyword, followed by a row
specification in parentheses, and a desired row height.
Rows are specified either as a single row number (e.g., 5), as a colon delimited range of
rows (from low to high, e.g., 3:5), or using the keyword @ALL. Row heights are given
in height unit values, where height units are in character heights. The character height is
given by the font-specific sum of the units above and below the baseline and the leading in
the default font for the current table. Height values may be non-integer values with resolu-
tion up to 1/10 of a height unit. The default row height value is 1.
For example,
tab1.setheight(2) 1
sets the height of row 2 to match the table default font character height, while
tab1.setheight(2) 3.5
increases the row height to 3-1/2 character heights.
tab1.setheight(2:7) 1.5
sets the heights for rows 2 through 7 to 1-1/2 character heights.
tab1.setheight(@all) 2
sets all row heights to twice the default height.
Earlier versions of EViews supported the setting of column widths using the setcol-
width (p. 423) command. This command, which is provided for backward compatibility,
only offers a subset of the capabilities of setwidth (p. 444).
Cell Formatting
A host of cell characteristics may be set using table procedures. Each procedure is designed
to work on individual cells, ranges of cells, or the entire table.
Content Formatting
Cell content formatting allows you to alter the appearance of the data in a table cell with-
out changing the contents of the cell. Using the table proc setformat (p. 432), you may,
for example, instruct EViews to change the format of a number to scientific or fixed deci-
mal, or to display a date number in a different date format. These changes in display for-
mat do not alter the cell values.
To format the contents of table cells, simply follow the table name with a period and the
setformat proc keyword, followed by a cell range specification in parentheses, and then
a valid numeric or date format string. The cell range may be specified in a number of ways,
including individual cells, cell rectangles, row or column ranges or the entire table. See
setformat (p. 432) for a description of cell range specification and numeric and date for-
mat string syntax.
For example, to set the format for the fifth column of a matrix to fixed 5-digit precision,
you may provide the format specification:
tab1.setformat(e) f.5
To set a format for the cell in the third row of the fifth column to scientific notation with 5
digits of precision, specify the individual cell, as in:
tab1.setformat(3,e) e.5
tab1.setformat(e3) e.5
To specify the format for a rectangle of cells, specify the upper left and lower right cells in
the rectangle. The following commands set cells in the same region to show 3-significant
digits, with negative numbers in parentheses:
tab1.setformat(2,B,10,D) (g.3)
tab1.setformat(r2c2:r10c4) (g.3)
tab1.setformat(b2:d10) (g.3)
The rectangle of cells is delimited by row 2, column 2, and row 10, column 4.
Alternately you may provide a date format for the table cells. The command:
tab1.setformat(@all) "dd/MM/YY HH:MI:SS.SSS"
will display numeric values in the entire table using formatted date strings containing days
followed by months, years, hours, minutes and seconds, to a resolution of thousandths of a
second.
Note that changing the display format of a cell that contains a string will have no effect
unless the cell is later changed to contain a numerical value.
Justification and Indentation
The cell justification and indentation control the position of the table cell contents within
the table cell itself.
You may use the setjust (p. 438) proc to position the cell contents in the cell. Simply use
the setjust keyword, followed by a cell range specification in parentheses, and one or
more keywords describing a vertical or horizontal position for the cell contents. You may
use the keywords auto, left, right, and center to control horizontal positioning, and
top, middle, and bottom to control vertical positioning. You may use the auto keyword
to specify left justification for string cells and right justification for numeric cells.
For example,
tab1.setjust(@all) top left
sets the justification for all cells in the table to top left, while
tab1.setjust(2,B,10,D) center
horizontally centers the cell contents in the rectangle from B2 to D10, while leaving the
vertical justification unchanged.
In addition, you may use setindent (p. 437) to specify a left or right indentation from
the edge of the cell for cells that are left or right justified, respectively. You should use the
setindent keyword followed by a cell range in parentheses, and an indentation unit,
specified in 1/5 of a width unit. Indentation is only relevant for non-center justified cells.
For example:
tab1.setjust(2,B,10,D) left
tab1.indent(2,B,10,D) 2
left-justifies, then indents the specified cells by 2/5 of a width unit from the left-hand side
of the cell.
Alternatively,
tab2.setjust(@all) center
tab2.indent(@all) 3
will set the indentation for all cells in the table to 3/5 of a width unit, but this will have no
effect on the center justified cells. If the cells are later modified to be left or right justified,
the indentation will be used. If you subsequently issue the command
tab2.indent(@all) right
the cells will be indented 3/5 of a width unit from the right-hand edges.
Fonts
You may specify font face and characteristics, and the font color for table cells using the
setfont (p. 431) and settextcolor (p. 443) table procs.
The setfont proc should be used to set the font face, size, boldface, italic, strikethrough
and underline characteristics for table cells. You should provide a cell range specification,
and one or more font arguments corresponding to font characteristics that you wish to
modify. For example:
tab1.setfont(3,B,10,D) "Times New Roman" +u 8pt
changes the text in the specified cells to Times New Roman, 8 point, underline. Similarly,
tab1.setfont(4,B) -b +i -s
adds the italic to and removes boldface and strikethrough from the B4 cell.
To set the color of your text, use settextcolor with a cell range specification and a color
specification. Color specifications may be provided using the @RGB settings, or using one
of the EViews predefined colors keywords:
tab1.settextcolor(f2:g10) @rgb(255, 128, 0)
tab1.settextcolor(f2:g10) orange
sets the text color for the specified cells to orange. See setfillcolor (p. 429) for a com-
plete description of color specifications.
Background and Borders
You may set the background color for cells using the setfillcolor (p. 429) table proce-
dure. Specify the cell range and provide a color specification using @RGB settings or one
of the predefined color keywords. The commands:
tab1.setfillcolor(R2C3:R3C6) ltgray
tab1.setfillcolor(2,C,3,F) @rgb(192, 192, 192)
both set the background color of the specified cells to light gray.
The setlines (p. 440) table proc may be used to draw borders or lines around specified
table cells. If a single cell is specified, you may draw borders around the cell or a double
line through the center of the cell. If multiple columns or rows is selected, you may, in
addition, add borders between cells.
Follow the name of the table object with a period, the setlines keyword, a cell range
specification, and one or more line arguments describing the lines and borders you wish to
draw. For example:
tab1.setlines(b2:d6) +a -h -v
first adds all borders (a) to the cells in the rectangle defined by B2 and D6, then removes
the inner horizontal (h), and inner vertical (v) borders. The command
tab1.setlines(2,b) +o
adds borders to the outside (o), all four borders, of the B2 cell.
You may also use the setline (p. 439) command to place double horizontal separator
lines in the table. Enter the setlines keyword, followed by the name of the table, and a
row number, both in parentheses. For example,
setline(bestres,8)
places a separator line in the eighth row of the table BESTRES. To remove the line, you
must use the setlines proc:
bestres.setlines(8) -d
removes the double separator lines from all of the cells in the eighth row of the table.
Cell Annotation and Merging
Each cell in a table object is capable of containing a comment. Cell comments contain text
that is hidden until the mouse cursor is placed over the cell containing the comment. Com-
ments are useful for adding notes to a table without changing the appearance of the table.
To add a comment with the comment (p. 242) table proc, follow the name of the table
object with a period, a single cell identifier (in parentheses), and the comment text
enclosed in double quotes. If no comment text is provided, a previously defined comment
will be removed.
To add a comment hello world to the cell in the second row, fourth column, you may use
the command:
tab1.comment(d2) "hello world"
To remove the comment simply repeat the command, omitting the text:
tab1.comment(d2)
In addition, EViews permits you to merge cells horizontally in a table object. To merge
together multiple cells in a row or to unmerge previously merged cells, you should use the
setmerge (p. 441) table proc. Enter the name of the table object, a period, followed by a
cell range describing the cells in a single row that are to be merged.
If the first specified column is less than the last specified column (left specified before
right), the cells in the row will be merged left to right, otherwise, the cells will be merged
from right to left. The contents of the merged cell will be taken from the first cell in the
merged region. If merging from left to right, the leftmost cell contents will be used; if merg-
ing from right to left, the rightmost cell contents will be displayed.
For example,
tab1.setmerge(a2:d2)
merges the cells in row 2, columns 1 to 4, from left to right, while
tab2.setmerge(d2:a2)
merges the cells in row 2, columns 2 to 5, from right to left. The cell display will use the
leftmost cell in the first example, and the rightmost in the second.
If you specify a merge involving previously merged cells, EViews will unmerge all cells
within the specified range. We may then unmerge cells by issuing the setmerge com-
mand using any of the previously merged cells. The command:
tab2.setmerge(r2c4)
unmerges the previously merged cells.
Labeling Tables
Tables have a label view to display and edit information such as the graph name, last mod-
ified date, and remarks. To modify or view the label information, use the label (p. 317)
command:
table11.label(r) Results from GMM estimation
This command shows the label view, and the r option appends the text Results from
GMM estimation to the remarks field of TABLE11.
To return to the basic table view, use the table keyword:
table11.table
All changes made in label view will be saved with the table.
Printing Tables57
Printing Tables
To print a table, use the print (p. 387) command, followed by the table object name. For
example:
print table11
The print destination is taken from the EViews global print settings.
Exporting Tables to Files
You may use the table save (p. 407) procedure to save the table to disk as a CSV (comma
separated file), tab-delimited ASCII text, RTF (Rich text format), or HTML file.
You must specify a file name and an optional file type, and may also provide options to
specify the cells to be saved, text to be written for NA values, and precision with which
numbers should be written. RTF and HTML files also allow you to save the table in a dif-
ferent size than the current display. If a file type is not provided, EViews will write a CSV
file.
For example:
tab1.save(t=csv, n="NAN") mytable
saves TAB1 in the default directory as a CSV file MYTABLE.CSV, with NA values translated
to the text NAN.
Alternately, the command:
tab1.save(r=B2:C10, t=html, s=.5) c:\data\MyTab2
saves the specified cells in TAB1 as an HTML file to MYTAB2.HTM in the directory
C:\DATA. The table is saved at half of the display size.
Customizing Spreadsheet Views
A subset of the table procs for customizing table display are also available for customizing
spreadsheet views of objects. You may use the setformat (p. 432), setindent (p. 437),
setjust (p. 438), and setwidth (p. 444) procs to specify the spreadsheet views of
numeric and alpha series objects, series objects in groups, or matrix objects.
Suppose, for example, that you wish to set the format of the spreadsheet view for series
SER1. Then the commands:
ser1.setformat f.5
ser1.setjust right center
ser1.setindent 3
ser1.setwidth 10
ser1.sheet
sets the spreadsheet display format for SER1 and then displays the view.
Similarly, you may set the characteristics for a matrix object using the commands:
mat1.setformat f.6
mat1.setwidth 8
mat1.sheet
For group spreadsheet formatting, you must specify a column range specification. For
example:
group1.setformat(2) (f.7)
group1.setwidth(2) 10
group1.setindent(b) 6
group1.sheet
set the formats for the second series in the group, then displays the spreadsheet view.
group1.setwidth(@all) 10
sets the width for all columns in the group spreadsheet to 10.
Note that the group specified formats are used only to display series in the group and are
not exported to the underlying series. Thus, if MYSER is the second series in GROUP1, the
spreadsheet view of MYSER will use the original series settings, not those specified using
the group procs.
Table Summary
See Table (p. 185) for a full listing of formatting procs that may be used with table
objects. See also the individual objects for the procs that are available for formatting
spreadsheet views.
Chapter 5. Working with Graphs
EViews provides an extensive set of commands to generate and customize graphs from the
command line or using programs. A summary of the graph commands detailed below may
be found under Graph (p. 159).
In addition, Chapter 14, Graphs, Tables, and Text Objects, on page 403 of the Users
Guide describes graph customization in detail, focusing on the interactive method of work-
ing with graphs.
Creating a Graph
There are three types of graphs in EViews: graphs that are views of other objects, and
named or unnamed graph objects. The commands provided for customizing the appear-
ance of your graphs are available for use with named graph objects. You may use the dia-
logs interactively to modify the appearance of all types of graphs.
Displaying graphs as object views
To display a graph as a view of an object, you may form a command using the object name
followed by a graph type keyword and any relevant options for that type of graph. You may
use any of the following graph type command keywords: line, bar, area, spike, err-
bar, hilo, pie, scat, xy, xyline, or xypair.
For example, you may use the following two commands to display graph views of a series
and a group:
ser2.area(n)
grp6.xyline(b)
The first command plots the series SER2 as an area graph with normalized scaling. The
second command provides an XY line graph view of the group GRP6, with the series plot-
ted in pairs.
Alternatively, there are many EViews commands which display specialized statistical graph
views of objects. For example, you may display a boxplot view of a group or series, using
the boxplot (p. 219) or boxplotby (p. 221) procs, respectively (see Boxplots on
page 397 of the Users Guide for a detailed explanation of boxplots).
For a group object, the command
group01.boxplot(nofarout)
displays boxplots of the series in GROUP01, and does not include far outliers. Likewise,
60Chapter 5. Working with Graphs
income.boxplotby sex race
displays boxplots for the INCOME series classified by SEX and RACE.
Similarly, you may display a histogram view of a series using the hist (p. 308) series view
command:
lwage.hist
which computes descriptive statistics and displays a histogram of the LWAGE series.
It is important to note that graph views of objects differ from graph objects in important
ways:
First, graph views of objects may not be customized using commands after they are
first created. The graph commands for customizing an existing graph are designed
for use only with graph objects.
Second, while you may use interactive dialogs to customize an existing objects
graph view, we caution you that there is no guarantee that the customization will be
permanent. In many cases, the customized settings will not be saved with the object
and will be discarded when the view changes, or if the object is closed and then
reopened. For example, if you display a histogram graph view of a series, change the
bar color and close the series, the color will revert to the default when the object is
opened.
In contrast, graph objects may be customized extensively after they are created. Any
customization of a graph object is permanent, and will be saved with the object.
In the remainder of our discussion, we will focus on the creation and customization of
graph objects.
Creating graph objects from object views
If you wish to create a graph object from another object, you should combine the object
view command with the freeze (p. 290) command. Simply follow the freeze keyword
with an optional name for the graph object, and the object view to be frozen. For example,
freeze grp6.xyline(b)
creates and displays an unnamed graph object of the GRP6 view showing an XY line graph
with the series plotted in pairs. Note that freezing an object view will not necessarily copy
the existing custom appearance settings such as line color, axis assignment, etc. Be sure to
specify any desired options in the freeze command (e.g., b). It is for this reason that we
recommend that you create a graph object before performing extensive customization of a
view.
Creating a Graph61
You should avoid creating unnamed graphs when using commands in programs since you
will be unable to refer to, or work with the resulting object in a program. Instead, you
should tell EViews to create a named object, as in
freeze(graph1) grp6.line
which creates a graph object GRAPH1 containing a line graph of the data in GRP6. Note
that using the freeze command with a name for the graph will create the graph object
and store it in the workfile without showing it. Furthermore, since we have frozen a graph
type (line) that is different from our current XY line view, existing custom appearance set-
tings will not be copied to the new graph.
Once you have created a named graph object, you may use the various graph object procs
to further customize the appearance of your graph. See Customizing a Graph beginning
on page 64.
Creating named graph objects
There are three direct methods for creating a named graph object. First, you may use the
freeze (p. 290) command as described in Creating graph objects from object views on
page 60. Alternatively, you may declare a graph object using the graph (p. 303) com-
mand. The graph command may be used to create graph objects with a specific graph
type or to merge existing graph objects.
Specifying a graph by type
To specify a graph by type you should use the graph keyword, followed by a name for the
graph, the type of graph you wish to create, and a list of series (see Graph Type Com-
mands on page 159 for a list of types). If a type is not specified, a line graph will be cre-
ated.
For example,
graph gr1 ser1 ser2
graph gr2.line ser1 ser2
creates graph objects GR1 and GR2 containing the line graph view of SER1 and SER2.
Similarly,
graph gr3.xyline group3
creates a graph object GR3 containing the XY line graph view of the series in GROUP3.
Each graph type provides additional options, which may be included when declaring the
graph. Among the most important options are those for controlling scaling or graph type.
The scaling options include:
Automatic scaling (a), in which series are graphed using the default single scale.
The default is left scale for most graphs, or left and bottom for XY graphs.
Dual scaling without crossing (d) scales the first series on the left and all other
series on the right. The left and right scales will not overlap.
Dual scaling with possible crossing (x) is the same as the d option, but will
allow the left and right scales to overlap.
Normalized scaling (n), scales using zero mean and unit standard deviation.
For example, the commands
graph g1.xyline(d) unemp gdp inv
show g1
create and display an XY line graph of the specified series with dual scales and no cross-
ing.
The graph type options include:
Stacked graph (s) plots the cumulative addition of the series, so the value of a
series is the difference between the lines, bars, or areas.
Mixed graph (l) creates a single graph in which the first series is the selected graph
type (bar, area, or spike) and all remaining series are line graphs.
Multiple graph (m) plots each series in a separate graph within an object view.
Pairing (b), for XY graphs: By default, the first series will be plotted on the hori-
zontal axis and all remaining series will be plotted on the vertical axis. Using the
pairing option, you may choose to plot the data in pairs, where the first two series
are plotted against each other, the second two series are plotted against each other,
and so forth.
For example, the commands
group grp1 sales1 sales2
graph grsales.bar(s) grp1
show grsales
create a group GRP1 containing the series SALES1 and SALES2, then create and display a
stacked bar graph GRSALES of the series in the group.
You should consult the command reference entry for each graph type for additional infor-
mation, including a list of the available options (e.g., see bar (p. 215) for complete details
on bar graphs).
Changing Graph Types63
Merging graph objects
The graph command may also be used to merge existing named graph objects into a
named multiple graph object. For example,
graph gr2.merge gr1 grsales
creates a multiple graph object GR2, combining two graph objects previously created.
Creating unnamed graph objects
There are two ways of creating an unnamed graph object. First, you may use the freeze
(p. 290) command as described in Creating graph objects from object views on page 60.
Alternatively, you may use any of the graph type keywords as a command. Follow the key-
word with any available options for that type, and a list of the objects to graph. EViews
will create an unnamed graph of the specified type that is not stored in the workfile. For
instance,
line(x) ser1 ser2 ser3
creates a line graph with series SER1 scaled on the left axis and series SER2 and SER3
scaled on the right axis.
If you later decide to name this graph, you may do so interactively by clicking on the
Name button in the graph button bar. Alternatively, EViews will prompt you to name or
delete any unnamed objects before closing the workfile.
Note that there is no way to name an unnamed graph object in a program. We recommend
that you avoid creating unnamed graphs in programs since you will be unable to use the
resulting object.
Changing Graph Types
You may change the graph type of a named graph object by following the object name with
the desired graph type keyword and any options for that type. For example,
grsales.bar(l)
converts the bar graph GRSALES, created above, into a mixed bar-line graph, where
SALES1 is plotted as a bar graph and SALES2 is plotted as a line graph within a single
graph.
Note that special graphs, such as boxplots and histograms, do not allow you to change the
graph type.
Graph options are preserved when changing graph types. This includes attributes such as
line color and axis assignment, as well as objects added to the graph, such as text labels,
lines and shading. Commands to modify the appearance of named graph objects are
described in Customizing a Graph on page 64.
Note, however, that the line and fill graph settings are set independently. Line attributes
apply to line and spike graphs, while fill attributes apply to bar, area, and pie graphs. For
example, if you have modified the color of a line in a spike graph, this color will not be
used for the fill area if the graph is changed to an area graph.
Customizing a Graph
EViews provides a wide range of tools for customizing the appearance of a named graph
object. Nearly every display characteristic of the graph may be modified, including the
appearance of lines and filled areas, legend characteristics and placement, frame size and
attributes, and axis settings. In addition, you may add text labels, lines, and shading to the
graph.
You may modify the appearance of a graph using dialogs or via the set of commands
described below. Note that the commands are only available for graph objects since they
take the form of graph procedures.
Line characteristics
For each data line in a graph, you are able to modify color, width, pattern and symbol
using the setelem (p. 426) command. Follow the command keyword with an integer rep-
resenting the data element in the graph you would like to modify, and one or more key-
words for the characteristic you wish to change. The list of symbol and pattern keywords
supported is provided in setelem (p. 426). For a list of available color keywords and RGB
settings, see the related command setfillcolor (p. 429).
To modify line color and width you should use the lcolor and lwidth keywords:
graph gr1.line ser1 ser2 ser3
gr1.setelem(3) lcolor(orange) lwidth(2)
gr1.setelem(3) lcolor(255, 128, 0) lwidth(2)
The first command creates a line graph GR1 with colors and widths taken from the global
defaults, while the latter two commands equivalently change the graph element for the
third series to an orange line 2 points wide.
Each data line in a graph may be drawn with a line, symbols, or both line and symbols.
The drawing default is given by the global options, but you may elect to add lines or sym-
bols using the lpattern or symbol keywords.
To add circular symbols to the line for element 3, you may enter
Customizing a Graph65
gr1.setelem(3) symbol(circle)
Note that this operation modifies the existing options for the symbols, but that the line
type, color and width settings from the original graph will remain. To return to line only or
symbol only in a graph in which both lines and symbols are displayed, you may turn off
either symbols or patterns, respectively, by using the none type:
gr1.setelem(3) lpat(none)
or
gr1.setelem(3) symbol(none)
The first example removes the line from the drawing for the third series, so only the circu-
lar symbol is used. The second example removes the symbol, so only the line is used.
If you attempt to remove the lines or symbols from a graph element that contains only
lines or symbols, respectively, the graph will change to show the opposite type. For exam-
ple,
gr1.setelem(3) lpat(dash2) symbol(circle)
gr1.setelem(3) symbol(none)
gr1.setelem(3) lpat(none)
initially represents element 3 with both lines and symbols, then turns off symbols for ele-
ment 3 so that it is displayed as lines only, and finally shows element 3 as symbols only,
since the final command turns off lines in a line-only graph.
The examples above describe customization of the basic elements common to most graph
types. Modifying Boxplots on page 78 provides additional discussion of setelem options
for customizing boxplot data elements.
Use of color with lines and filled areas
By default, EViews automatically formats graphs to accommodate output in either color or
black and white. When a graph is sent to a printer or saved to a file in black and white,
EViews translates the colored lines and fills seen on the screen into an appropriate black
and white representation. The black and white lines are drawn with line patterns, and fills
are drawn with gray shading. Thus, the appearance of lines and fills on the screen may dif-
fer from what is printed in black and white (this color translation does not apply to box-
plots).
You may override this auto choice display method by changing the global defaults for
graphs. You may choose, for example, to display all lines and fills as patterns and gray
shades, respectively, whether or not the graph uses color. All subsequently created graphs
will use the new settings.
Alternatively, if you would like to override the color, line pattern, and fill settings for a
given graph object, you may use the options (p. 358) graph proc.
Color
To change the color setting for an existing graph object, you should use options with the
color keyword. If you wish to turn off color altogether for all lines and filled areas, you
should precede the keyword with a negative sign, as in:
gr1.options -color
To turn on color, you may use the same command with the - omitted.
Lines and patterns
To always display solid lines in your graph, irrespective of the color setting, you should use
options with the linesolid keyword. For example,
gr1.options linesolid
sets graph GR1 to use solid lines when rendering on the screen in color and when printing,
even if the graph is printed in black and white. Note that this setting may make identifica-
tion of individual lines difficult in a printed black and white graph, unless you change the
widths or symbols associated with individual lines (see Line characteristics on page 64).
Conversely, you may use the linepat option to use patterned lines regardless of the color
setting:
gr1.options linepat
One advantage of using the linepat option is that it allows you to see the pattern types
that will be used in black and white printing without turning off color in your graph. For
example, using the setelem command again, change the line pattern of the second series
in GR1 to a dashed line:
gr1.setelem(2) lpat(dash1)
This command will not change the appearance of the colored lines on the screen if color is
turned on and auto choice of line and fill type is set. Thus, the line will remain solid, and
the pattern will not be visible until the graph is printed in black and white. To view the
corresponding patterns, either turn off color so all lines are drawn as black patterned lines,
or use the linepat setting to force patterns.
To reset the graph or to override modified global settings so that the graph uses auto
choice, you may use the lineauto keyword:
gr1.options lineauto
This setting instructs the graph to use solid lines when drawing in color, and use line pat-
terns and gray shades when drawing in black and white.
Note that regardless of the color or line pattern settings, you may always view the selected
line patterns in the Lines & Symbols section of the graph options dialog. The dialog can be
brought up interactively by double clicking anywhere in the graph.
Filled area characteristics
You can modify the color, gray shade, and hatch pattern of each filled area in a bar, area, or
pie graph.
To modify these settings, use setelem (p. 426), followed by an integer representing the
data element in the graph you would like to modify, and a keyword for the characteristic
you wish to change. For example, consider the commands:
graph mygraph.area(s) series1 series2 series3
mygraph.setelem(1) fcolor(blue) hatch(fdiagonal) gray(6)
mygraph.setelem(1) fcolor(0, 0, 255) hatch(fdiagonal) gray(6)
The first command creates MYGRAPH, a stacked area graph of SERIES1, SERIES2, and
SERIES3. The latter two commands are equivalent, modifying the first series by setting its
fill color to blue with a forward diagonal hatch. If MYGRAPH is viewed without color, the
area will appear with a hatched gray shade of index 6.
See setfillcolor (p. 429) for a list of available color keywords, and setelem (p. 426)
for gray shade indexes and available hatch keywords. Note that changes to gray shades
will not be visible in the graph unless color is turned off.
Using preset lines and fills
For your convenience, EViews provides you with a collection of preset line and fill charac-
teristics. Each line preset defines a color, width, pattern, and symbol for a line, and each
fill preset defines a color, gray shade, and hatch pattern for a fill. There are thirty line and
thirty fill presets.
The global graph options are initially set to use the EViews preset settings. These global
options are used when you first create a graph, providing a different appearance for each
line or fill. The first line preset is applied to the first data line, the second preset is applied
to the second data line, and so on. If your graph contains more than thirty lines or fills, the
presets are simply reused in order.
You may customize the graph defaults in the global Graph Options dialog. Your settings
will replace the existing EViews defaults, and will be applied to all graphs created in the
future.
EViews allows you to use either the original EViews presets, or those you have specified in
the global Graph Options dialog when setting the characteristics of an existing graph. The
keyword preset is used to indicate that you should use the set of options from the corre-
sponding EViews preset; the keyword default is used to indicate that you should use the
set of options from the corresponding global graph element defaults.
For example,
mygraph.setelem(2) preset(3)
allows the second fill area in MYGRAPH to use the original EViews presets for a third fill
area. In current versions of EViews, these settings include a green fill, a medium gray
shade of 8, and no hatch.
Alternatively,
mygraph.setelem(2) default(3)
also changes the second area of MYGRAPH, but uses the third set of user-defined presets.
If you have not yet modified your global graph defaults, the two commands will yield iden-
tical results.
When using the preset or default keywords with boxplots, the line color of the speci-
fied preset will be applied to all boxes, whiskers, and staples in the graph. See Modifying
Boxplots on page 78 for additional information.
Scaling and axes
There are four separate commands that may be used to modify the axes and scaling char-
acteristics of your graphs:
First, the setelem (p. 426) command with the axis keyword may be used to
assign data elements to different axes.
Second, the scale (p. 410) command modifies the axis on which your data is
scaled. This is the vertical scale in most graphs, or the horizontal and vertical scales
in XY graphs. You may employ the scale command to modify the scaling of the
data itself, for example, as when you use a logarithmic scale, or to alter the scaling
of the axis, as when you enable dual scaling.
Third, the datelabel (p. 252) command modifies the labeling of the bottom date/
time axis in time plots. Use this command to change the way date labels are format-
ted or to specify label frequency.
For boxplots, you should instead use the bplabel (p. 226) command to modify the
bottom axis labeling. See Modifying the boxplot horizontal axis beginning on
page 80 for details.
Lastly, the axis (p. 213) command can be used to customize the final appearance of
any axes in the graph object. Use this command to modify tick marks, change the
font size of labels, turn on grid or zero lines, or duplicate axes.
Assigning data to an axis
In most cases, when a graph is created, all data elements are initially assigned to the left
axis. XY graphs differ slightly in that data elements are initially assigned to either the left
or bottom axis.
Once a graph is created, individual elements may generally be assigned to either the left or
right axis. In XY graphs, you may reassign individual elements to either the left, right, top,
or bottom axis, while in boxplots or stacked time/observation graphs all data elements
must be assigned to the same vertical axis.
To assign a data element to a different axis, use the setelem command with the axis
keyword. For example, the commands:
graph graph02.line ser1 ser2
graph02.setelem(2) axis(right)
first create GRAPH02, a line graph of SER1 and SER2, and then turn GRAPH02 into a dual
scaled graph by assigning the second data element, SER2, to the right axis.
In this example, GRAPH02 uses the default setting for dual scale graphs by disallowing
crossing, so that the left and right scales do not overlap. To allow the scales to overlap, use
the scale command with the overlap keyword, as in
graph02.scale overlap
The left and right scales now span the entire axes, allowing the data lines to cross. To
reverse this action and disallow crossing, use -overlap, (the overlap keyword preceded
by a minus sign, -).
For XY graphs without pairing, the first series is generally plotted along the bottom axis,
and the remaining series are plotted on the left axis. XY graphs allow more manipulation
than time/observation plots, because the top and bottom axes may also be assigned to an
element. For example,
graph graph03.xyline s1 s2 s3 s4
graph03.setelem(1) axis(top)
first creates an XY line graph GRAPH03 of the series S1, S2, S3, and S4. The first series is
then assigned to the top axis, and the second series is moved to the right axis. Note that
the graph now uses three axes: top, left, and right.
Note that the element index in the setelem command is not necessary for boxplots and
stacked time/observation graphs, since all data elements must be assigned to the same ver-
tical axis.
While EViews allows dual scaling for the vertical axes in most graph types, the horizontal
axes must use a single scale on either the top or bottom axis. When a new element is
moved to or from one of the horizontal axes, EViews will, if necessary, reassign elements
as required so that there is a single horizontal scale.
For example, using the graph created above, the command
graph03.setelem(3) axis(bottom)
moves the third series to the bottom axis, forcing the first series to be reassigned from the
top to the left axis. If you then issue the command,
EViews will assign the third series to the right axis as directed, with the first (next available
element, starting with the first) series taking its place on the horizontal bottom axis. If the
first element is subsequently moved to a vertical axis, the second element will take its
place on the horizontal axis, and so forth. Note that series will never be reassigned to the
right or top axis, so that series that placed on the top or right axis and subsequently reas-
signed will not be replaced automatically.
For XY graphs with pairing, the same principles apply. However, since the elements are
graphed in pairs, there is a set of elements that should be assigned to the same horizontal
axis. You can switch which set is assigned to the horizontal using the axis keyword. For
example,
graph graph04.xypair s1 s2 s3 s4
graph03.setelem(1) axis(left)
creates an XY graph that plots the series S1 against S2, and S3 against S4. Usually, the
default settings assign the first and third series to the bottom axis, and the second and
fourth series to the left axis. The second command line moves the first series (S1) from the
bottom to the left axis. Since S1 and S3 are tied to the same axis, the S3 series will also be
assigned to the left axis. The second and fourth series (S2 and S4) will take their place on
the bottom axis.
Modifying the data axis
The scale (p. 410) command may be used to change the way data is scaled on an axis. To
rescale the data, specify the axis you wish to change and use one of the following key-
words: linear, linearzero (linear with zero included in axis), log (logarithmic), norm
(standardized). For example,
graph05.scale(left) log
creates a line graph GRAPH05 of the series SER1 and SER2, and changes the left axis scal-
ing method to logarithmic.
The interaction of the data scales (these are the left and right axes for non-XY graphs) can
be controlled using scale with the overlap keyword. The overlap keyword controls
the overlap of vertical scales, where each scale has at least one series assigned to it. For
instance,
graph graph06.line s1 s2
graph06.scale overlap
first creates GRAPH06, a line graph of series S1 and S2, and assigns the second series to
the right axis. The last command allows the vertical scales to overlap.
The scale command may also be used to change or invert the endpoints of the data scale,
using the range or invert keywords:
graph05.scale(left) -invert range(minmax)
inverts the left scale of GRAPH05 (- indicates an inverted scale) and sets its endpoints to
the minimum and maximum values of the data.
Modifying the date/time axis
EViews automatically determines an optimal set of labels for the bottom axis of time plots.
If you wish to modify the frequency or date format of the labels, you should use the date-
label (p. 252) command. When working with boxplots, you should use bplabel
(p. 226) instead as described in Modifying the boxplot horizontal axis beginning on
page 80.
To control the number of observations between labels, use datelabel with the inter-
val keyword to specify a desired step size. The stand-alone step size keywords include:
auto (use EViews' default method for determining step size), ends (label first and last
observations), and all (label every observation). For example,
mygraph.datelabel interval(ends)
labels only the endpoints of MYGRAPH. You may also use a step size keyword in conjunc-
tion with a step number to further control the labeling. These step size keywords include:
obs (one observation), year (one year), m (one month), and q (one quarter), where each
keyword determines the units of the number specified in the step keyword. For example, to
label every ten years, you may specify:
mygraph.datelabel interval(year, 10)
In addition to specifying the space between labels, you may indicate a specific observation
to receive a label. The step increment will then center around this observation. For exam-
ple,
mygraph.datelabel interval(obs, 10, 25)
labels every tenth observation, centered around the twenty-fifth observation.
You may also use datelabel to modify the format of the dates or change their placement
on the axis. Using the format or span keywords,
mygraph02.datelabel format(yy) -span
formats the labels so that they display as two digit years, and disables interval spanning. If
interval spanning is enabled, labels will be centered between the applicable tick marks. If
spanning is disabled, labels are placed directly on the tick marks. For instance, in a plot of
monthly data with annual labeling, the labels may be centered over the twelve monthly
ticks (spanning enabled) or placed on the annual tick marks (spanning disabled).
Customizing axis appearance
You may customize the appearance of tick marks, modify label font size, add grid lines, or
duplicate axes labeling in your graph using axis (p. 213).
Follow the axis keyword with a descriptor of the axis you wish to modify and one or
more arguments. For instance, using the ticksin, minor, and font keywords:
mygraph.axis(left) ticksin -minor font(10)
The left axis of MYGRAPH is now drawn with the tick marks inside the graph, no minor
ticks, and a label font size of 10 point.
To add lines to a graph, use the grid or zeroline keywords:
mygraph01.axis(left) -label grid zeroline
MYGRAPH01 hides the labels on its left axis, draws horizontal grid lines at the major ticks,
and draws a line through zero on the left scale.
In single scale graphs, it is sometimes desirable to display the axis labels on both the left
and right hand sides of the graph. The mirror keyword may be used to turn on or off the
display of duplicate axes. For example,
graph graph06.line s1 s2
graph06.axis mirror
creates a line graph with both series assigned to the left axis (the default assignment), then
turns on mirroring of the left axis to the right axis of the graph. Note that in the latter com-
mand, you need not specify an axis to modify, since mirroring sets both the left and right
axes to be the same.
If dual scaling is enabled, mirroring will be overridden. In our example, assigning a data
element to the right axis,
will override axis mirroring. Note that if element 1 is subsequently reassigned to the left
scale, mirroring will again be enabled. To turn off mirroring entirely, simply precede the
mirror keyword with a minus sign. The command
graph06.axis -mirror
turns off axis mirroring.
Customizing the graph frame
The graph frame is used to set the basic graph proportions and display characteristics that
are not part of the main portion of the graph.
Graph size
The graph frame size and proportions may be modified using the options (p. 358) com-
mand. Simply specify a width and height using the size keyword. For example,
testgraph.options size(5,4)
resizes the frame of TESTGRAPH to virtual inches.
Other frame characteristics
The options command can be used to remove the box around the graph frame. Use the
inbox keyword:
testgraph.options -inbox
Note that removing the box also removes the yellow background from the graph.
EViews attempts to occupy the entire width of the graph for plotting data. If you wish to
indent the data in the graph frame, use the indent keyword:
5 4
testgraph.options indent
Labeling data values
Bar and pie graphs allow you to label the value of your data within the graph. Use the
options (p. 358) command with one of the following keywords: barlabelabove, bar-
labelinside, or pielabel. For example,
mybargraph.options barlabelabove
places a label above each bar in the graph indicating its data value. Note that the label will
be visible only when there is sufficient space in the graph.
Outlining and spacing filled areas
EViews draws a black outline around each bar or area in a bar or area graph, respectively.
To disable the outline, use options with the outlinebars or outlineareas keyword:
mybargraph.options -outlinebars
Disabling the outline is useful for graphs whose bars are spaced closely together, enabling
you to see the fill color instead of an abundance of black outlines.
EViews attempts to place a space between each bar in a bar graph. This space disappears
as the number of bars increases. You may remove the space between bars by using the
barspace keyword:
mybargraph.options -barspace
Modifying the Legend
A legend's location, text, and appearance may be customized. Note that special graph
types such as boxplots and histograms use text objects for labeling instead of a legend.
These text objects may only be modified interactively by double-clicking on the object to
bring up the text edit dialog.
To change the text string of a data element for use in the legend, use the name (p. 354)
command:
graph06.name(1) Unemployment
graph06.name(2) DMR
The first line creates a line graph GRAPH06 of the series SER1 and SER2. Initially, the leg-
end shows SER1 and SER2. The second and third command lines change the text in
the legend to Unemployment and DMR.
Note that the name command is equivalent to using the setelem (p. 426) command with
the legend keyword. For instance,
graph06.setelem(1) legend(Unemployment)
graph06.setelem(2) legend(DMR)
produces the same results.
To remove a label from the legend, you may use name without providing a text string:
graph06.name(2)
removes the second label DMR from the legend.
For an XY graph, the name command modifies any data elements that appear as axis
labels, in addition to legend text. For example,
graph xygraph.xy ser1 ser2 ser3 ser4
xygraph.name(1) Age
xygraph.name(2) Height
creates an XY graph named XYGRAPH of the four series SER1, SER2, SER3, and SER4.
SER1 appears as a horizontal axis label, while SER2, SER3, and SER4 appear in
the legend. The second command line changes the horizontal label of the first series to
Age. The third line changes the second series label in the legend to Height.
To modify characteristics of the legend itself, use legend (p. 319). Some of the primary
options may be set using the inbox, position and columns keywords. Consider, for
example, the commands
graph graph07.line s1 s2 s3 s4
graph07.legend -inbox position(botleft) columns(4)
The first line creates a line graph of the four series S1, S2, S3, and S4. The second line
removes the box around the legend, positions the legend in the bottom left corner of the
graph window, and specifies that four columns should be used for the text strings of the
legend.
When a graph is created, EViews automatically determines a suitable number of columns
for the legend. A graph with four series, such as the one created above, would likely dis-
play two columns of two labels each. The columns command above, with an argument of
four, creates a long and slender legend, with each of the four series in its own column.
You may also use the legend command to change the font size or to disable the legend
completely:
graph07.legend font(10)
graph07.legend -display
Note that if the legend is hidden, any changes to the text or position of the legend remain,
and will reappear if the legend is displayed again.
Adding text to the graph
Text strings can be placed anywhere within the graph window. Using the addtext
(p. 199) command,
graph07.addtext(t) Fig 1: Monthly GDP
adds the text Fig 1: Monthly GDP to the top of the GRAPH07 window. You can also use
specific coordinates to specify the position of the upper left corner of the text. For example,
graph08.addtext(.2, .1, x) Figure 1
adds the text string Figure 1 to GRAPH08. The text is placed 0.2 virtual inches in, and
0.1 virtual inches down from the top left corner of the graph frame. The x option
instructs EViews to place the text inside a box.
An existing text object can be edited interactively by double-clicking on the object to bring
up a text edit dialog. The object may be repositioned by specifying new coordinates in the
dialog, or by simply dragging the object to its desired location.
Adding lines and shading
You may wish to highlight or separate specific areas of your graph by adding a line or
shaded area to the interior of the graph using the draw (p. 267) command. Specify the
type of line or shade option (line, dashline, or shade), which axis it should be
attached to (left, right, bottom, top) and its position. For example,
graph09.draw(line, left) 5.2
draws a horizontal line at the value 5.2 on the left axis. Alternately,
graph09.draw(shade, left) 4.8 5.6
draws a shaded horizontal area bounded by the values 4.8 and 5.6 on the left axis. You can
also specify color and line width:
graph09.draw(dashline, bottom, color(blue), width(2)) 1985:1
draws a vertical blue dashed line of width two points at the date 1985:1 on the bottom
axis. Color may be specified using one or more of the following options: rgb(n1, n2, n3),
color(n1, n2, n3), where the arguments correspond to RGB settings, or color(key-
word), where keyword is one of the predefined color keywords.
Using graphs as templates
After customizing a graph as described above, you may wish to use your custom settings
in another graph. Using a graph template allows you to copy the graph type, line and fill
settings, axis scaling, legend attributes, and frame settings of one graph into another. This
enables a graph to adopt all characteristics of another grapheverything but the data
itself. To copy custom line or fill settings from the global graph options, use the preset or
default keywords of the setelem command (as described in Using preset lines and
fills on page 67).
Modifying an existing graph
To modify a named graph object, use the template command:
graph10.template customgraph
This command copies all the appearance attributes of CUSTOMGRAPH into GRAPH10,
including the graph type and axis scaling. Note that this may produce undesirable results if
you are copying customized axis settings from a graph whose data does not closely match
the target graph's data.
To copy text labels, lines and shading in the template graph in addition to all other option
settings, use the t option:
graph10.template(t) customgraph
This command copies any text or shading objects that were added to the template graph
using the addtext or draw commands or the equivalent steps using dialogs. Note that
using the t option overwrites any existing text and shading objects in the target graph.
If you are using a boxplot as a template for another graph type, or vice versa, note that the
graph type and boxplot specific attributes will not be changed. In addition, when the t
option is used, vertical lines or shaded areas will not be copied between the graphs, since
the horizontal scales of the two graphs are different.
Using a template during graph creation
All graph type commands also provide a template option for use when creating a new
graph. For instance,
graph mygraph.line(o = customgraph) ser1 ser2
creates the graph MYGRAPH of the series SER1 and SER2, using CUSTOMGRAPH as a tem-
plate. Note that the graph type keyword (line, in this case) is irrelevant, as the graph type
will be that of the template graph. See Modifying an existing graph on page 77, for
details on which attributes are copied from a template graph. The o option instructs
EViews to copy all but the text, lines, and shading of the template graph. To include these
elements in the copy, use the t option in place of the o option.
When used as a graph procedure, this method is equivalent to the one described above for
an existing graph:
graph10.template(t) customgraph
graph10.bar(t = customgraph)
These two methods produce the same results. Note, again that the bar keyword in the sec-
ond line is irrelevant.
Arranging multiple graphs
When you create a multiple graph, EViews automatically arranges the graphs within the
graph window. See Creating a Graph on page 59 for information on how to create a mul-
tiple graph. You may use either the m option during graph creation or the merge com-
mand.
To change the placement of the graphs, use the align (p. 200) command. Specify the
number of columns in which to place the graphs and the horizontal and vertical space
between graphs, measured in virtual inches. For example,
graph graph11.merge graph01 graph02 graph03
graph11.align(2, 1, 1.5)
creates a multiple graph GRAPH11 of the graphs GRAPH01, GRAPH02, and GRAPH03. By
default, the graphs are stacked in one column. The second command realigns the graphs in
two columns, with 1 virtual inch between the graphs horizontally and 1.5 virtual inches
between the graphs vertically.
Modifying Boxplots
The appearance of boxplots can be customized using many of the commands described
above. A few special cases and additional commands are described below.
Customizing lines and symbols
As with other graph types, the setelem command can be used with boxplots to modify
line and symbol attributes, assign the boxes to an axis, and use preset and default settings.
To use the setelem (p. 426) command with boxplots, use a box element keyword after
the command. For example,
boxgraph01.setelem(mean) symbol(filledcircle)
changes the means in the boxplot BOXGRAPH01 to filled circles. Note that all boxes within
a single graph have the same attributes, and changes to appearance are applied to all
boxes. For instance,
boxgraph01.setelem(box) lcolor(orange) lpat(dash1) lwidth(2)
plots all boxes in BOXGRAPH01 with an orange dashed line of width 2 points. Also note
that when shaded confidence intervals are used, a lightened version of the box color will
be used for the shading. In this way, the above command also changes the confidence
interval shading to a light orange.
Each element in a boxplot is represented by either a line or symbol. EViews will warn you
if you attempt to modify an inappropriate option (e.g., modifying the symbol of the box).
Assigning boxes to an axis
The setelem command may also be used to assign the boxes to another axis:
boxgraph01.setelem axis(right)
Note that since all boxes are assigned to the same axis, the index argument specifying a
graph element is not necessary.
Using preset line colors
During general graph creation, lines and fills take on the characteristics of the user-defined
presets. When a boxplot is created, the first user-defined line color is applied to the boxes,
whiskers, and staples. Similarly, when you use the preset or default keywords of the
setelem command with a boxplot, the line color of the preset is applied to the boxes,
whiskers, and staples. See Using preset lines and fills on page 67 for a description of pre-
sets.
The preset and default methods work just as they do for other graph types, although
only the line color is applied to the graph. For example,
boxgraph01.setelem default(3)
applies the line color of the third user-defined line preset to the boxes, whiskers, and sta-
ples of BOXGRAPH01. Note again that setelem does not require an argument specifying
an index, since the selected preset will apply to all boxes.
There are a number of setelem arguments that do not apply to boxplots. The fill-
color, fillgray, and fillhatch option keywords are not available, as there are no
custom areas to be filled. The legend keyword is also not applicable, as boxplots use axis
text labels in place of a legend.
Hiding boxplot elements
In addition to the setelem command, boxplots provide a setbpelem (p. 421) command
for use in enabling or disabling specific box elements. Any element of the boxplot can be
hidden, except the box itself. Use the command with a list of box elements to show or
hide. For example,
boxgraph01.setbpelem -mean far
hides the means and confirms that the far outliers are shown in BOXGRAPH01.
Modifying box width and confidence intervals
The width of the individual boxes in a boxplot can be drawn in three ways: fixed width
over all boxes, proportional to the sample size, or proportional to the square root of the
sample size. To specify one of these methods, use the setbpelem command with the
width keyword, and one of the supported types (fixed, rootn, n). For example,
boxgraph01.setbpelem width(rootn)
draws the boxes in BOXGRAPH01 with widths proportional to the square root of their sam-
ple size.
There are three methods for displaying the confidence intervals in boxplots. They may be
notched, shaded, or not drawn at all, which you may specify using one of the supported
keywords (notch, shade, none). For example,
boxgraph01.setbpelem ci(notch)
draws the confidence intervals in BOXGRAPH01 as notches.
Modifying the boxplot horizontal axis
The bplabel (p. 226) command for boxplots is similar to the datelabel command in
time plots (see Modifying the date/time axis beginning on page 71). Use it to specify the
frequency or alignment of labels on the horizontal axis. Provide the step method you wish
to use, and optionally a step or alignment number. For example,
boxgraph02.bplabel interval(ends)
labels the first and last boxes in BOXGRAPH02. To label every fiftieth box, aligned with the
tenth box:
boxgraph02.bplabel interval(cust, 50, 10)
A boxplot's horizontal scale can be modified further by placing the text labels at an angle,
changing the text itself, or selectively hiding any of the labels. Using the bplabel com-
mand,
boxgraph02.bplabel angle(60) label(10, "First") -label(60)
sets the labels in BOXGRAPH02 to a 60 degree angle, changes the tenth box label to
First, and hides the sixtieth label.
Labeling Graphs81
Labeling Graphs
As with all EViews objects, graphs have a label view to display and edit information such
as the graph name, last modified date, and remarks. To modify or view the label informa-
tion, use the label (p. 317) command:
graph12.label(r) Data from CPS 1988 March File
This command shows the label view, and the r option appends the text Data from CPS
1988 March File to the remarks field of GRAPH12.
To return to the graph view, use the graph keyword:
graph12.graph
All changes made in label view will be saved when the graph is saved.
Printing Graphs
A graph may be printed using the print (p. 387) command. For example,
print graph11 graph12
prints GRAPH11 and GRAPH12 on a single page.
In addition, many graph commands and graph views of objects include a print option. For
example, you can create and simultaneously print a line graph GRA1 of SER1 using the p
option:
graph gra1.line(p) ser1
You should check the individual commands for availability of this option.
Exporting Graphs to Files
You may use the save (p. 407) proc of a graph object to save the graph as a Windows
metafile (.wmf), Enhanced Windows metafile (.emf), or Postscript file (.eps).
You must specify a file name and file type, and may also provide the file height, width,
units of measurement, and color use. Postscript files also allow you to save the graph with
or without a bounding box and to specify portrait or landscape orientation. For instance,
graph11.save(t=postscript, u=cm, w=12, -box) MyGraph1
saves GRAPH11 in the default directory as a Postscript file MyGraph1.eps, with a width of
12 cm and no bounding box. The height is determined by holding the aspect ratio of the
graph constant. Similarly,
graph11.save(t=emf, u=pts, w=300, h=300, -c) c:\data\MyGraph2
saves GRAPH11 as an Enhanced Windows metafile MYGRAPH2.EMF. The graph is saved
in black and white, and scaled to points.
Graph Summary
See Graph (p. 159) for a full listing of procs that may be used to customize graph
objects, and for a list of the graph type commands.
300 300
Chapter 6. EViews Programming
EViews programming features allow you to create and store commands in programs that
automate repetitive tasks, or generate a record of your research project.
For example, you can write a program with commands that analyze the data from one
industry, and then have the program perform the analysis for a number of other industries.
You can also create a program containing the commands that take you from the creation of
a workfile and reading of raw data, through the calculation of your final results, and con-
struction of presentation graphs and tables.
If you have experience with computer programming, you will find most of the features of
the EViews language to be quite familiar. The main novel feature of the EViews program-
ming language is a macro substitution language which allows you to create object names
by combining variables that contain portions of names.
Program Basics
Creating a Program
A program is not an EViews object within a workfile. It is simply a text file containing
EViews commands. To create a new program, click File/New/Program. You will see a
standard text editing window where you can type in the lines of the program. You may also
open the program window by typing program in the command window, followed by an
optional program name. For example
program firstprg
opens a program window named FIRSTPRG. Program names should follow standard
EViews rules for file names.
A program consists of a one or more lines of text. Since each line of a program corresponds
to a single EViews command, simply enter the text for each command and terminate the
line by pressing the ENTER key.
If a program line is longer than the current program window, EViews will autowrap the
text of the line. Autowrapping alters the appearance of the program line by displaying it on
multiple lines, but does not change the contents of the line. While resizing the window will
change the autowrap position, the text remains unchanged and is still contained in a single
line.
If you wish to have greater control over the appearance of your lines, you can manually
break long lines using the ENTER key, and then use the underscore continuation character
84Chapter 6. EViews Programming
_ as the last character on the line to join the multiple lines. For example, the three sepa-
rate lines
equation eq1.ls _
y x c _
ar(1) ar(2)
are equivalent to the single line
equation eq1.ls y x c ar(1) ar(2)
formed by joining the lines at the continuation character.
Saving a Program
After you have created and edited your program, you will probably want to save it. Press
the Save or SaveAs button on the program window toolbar. When saved, the program will
have the extension .PRG.
Opening a Program
To load a program previously saved on disk, click on File/Open/Program..., navigate to
the appropriate directory, and click on the desired name. Alternatively, from the command
line, you may type open followed by the full program name, including the file extension
.PRG. By default, EViews will look for the program in the default directory. If appropriate,
include the full path to the file. The entire name should be enclosed in quotations if neces-
sary. For example:
open mysp500.prg
open "c:\mywork is here\eviews\myhouse.prg"
opens MYSP500.PRG in the default directory, and MYHOUSE.PRG in the directory
C:\MYWORK IS HERE\EVIEWS.
Executing a Program
When you enter, line by line, a series of commands in the command window, we say that
you are working in interactive mode. Alternatively, you can type all of the commands in a
program and execute or run them collectively as a batch of commands. When you execute
or run the commands from a program, we say that you are in program (non-interactive)
mode.
Program Basics85
There are several ways to execute a program.
The easiest method is to execute your program
by pushing the Run button on a program win-
dow. The Run dialog opens, where you can
enter the program name and supply argu-
ments.
You may use the radio buttons to choose
between Verbose and Quiet modes. In ver-
bose mode, EViews sends messages to the sta-
tus line and continuously updates the workfile
window as objects are created and deleted.
Quiet mode suppresses these updates, reduc-
ing the time spent writing to the screen.
If the checkbox labeled Version 4 compatible variable substitution is selected, EViews
will use the variable substitution behavior found in EViews 4 and earlier. To support the
use of alpha series, EViews 5 has changed the way that % substitution variables are evalu-
ated in expressions. To return to EViews 4 compatible rules for substitution, you may
either use this checkbox or include a MODE VER4 statement in your program. See Ver-
sion 5 Compatibility Notes on page 93 and Program Modes on page 96 for additional
discussion.
By default, when EViews encounters an error, it will immediately terminate the program
and display a message. If you enter a number into the Maximum errors before halting
field, EViews will continue to execute the program until the maximum number of errors is
reached. If there is a serious error so that it is impractical for EViews to continue, the pro-
gram will halt even if the maximum number of errors is not reached. See Handling Execu-
tion Errors on page 106.
You may also execute a program by entering the run command, followed by the name of
the program file:
run mysp500
or
run c:\eviews\myprog
The use of the .PRG extension is not required since EViews will automatically append one.
The default run options described above are taken from the global settings, but may be
overridden using command options or program options.
For example, you may use the v or verboseoptions to run the program in verbose
mode, and the q or quiet options to run the program in quiet mode. If you include a
number as an option, EViews will use that number to indicate the maximum number of
errors encountered before execution is halted. Any arguments to the program may be listed
after the filename:
run(v, 500) mysp500
or
run(q) progarg arg1 arg2 arg3
Alternatively, you may modify your program to contain program options for quiet and ver-
bose mode, and for setting version compatibility.
You can also have EViews run a program automatically upon startup by choosing File/Run
from the menu bar of the Windows Program Manager or Start/Run in Windows and then
typing eviews, followed by the name of the program and the values of any arguments. If
the program has as its last line the command exit, EViews will close following the execu-
tion of the program.
See Multiple Program Files on page 107 for additional details on program execution.
Stopping a Program
Pressing the ESC or F1 keys halts execution of a program. It may take a few seconds for
EViews to respond to the halt command.
Programs will also stop when they encounter a stop command, when they read the maxi-
mum number of errors, or when they finish processing a file that has been executed via a
run statement.
If you include the exit keyword in your program, the EViews application will close.
Simple Programs
The simplest program is just a list of commands. Execution of the program is equivalent to
typing the commands one by one into the command window.
While you could execute the commands by typing them in the command window, you
could just as easily open a program window, type in the commands and click on the Run
button. Entering commands in this way has the advantage that you can save the set of
commands for later use, and execute the program repeatedly, making minor modifications
each time.
Let us look at a simple example (the data series are provided in the database PROGDEMO
in your EViews directory so that you can try out the program). Create a new program by
typing
program myprog
Simple Programs87
in the command window. In the program window that opens for MYPROG, we are going to
enter the commands to create a workfile, fetch a series from an EViews database named
PROGDEMO, run a regression, compute residuals and a forecast, make a plot of the fore-
cast, and save the results.
' housing analysis
workfile myhouse m 1968m3 1997m6
fetch progdemo::hsf
smpl 1968m5 1992m12
equation reg1.ls hsf c hsf(-1)
reg1.makeresid hsfres
smpl 1993m1 1997m6
reg1.forecast hsffit
freeze(hsfplot) hsffit.line
save
The first line of the program is a comment, as denoted by the apostrophe '. In executing
a program, EViews will ignore all text following the apostrophe until the end of the line.
HSF is total housing units started. We end up with a saved workfile named MYHOUSE con-
taining the HSF series, an equation object REG1, a residual and forecast series, HSFRES
and HSFFIT, and a graph HSFPLOT of the forecasts.
You can run this program by clicking on Run and filling in the dialog box.
Now, suppose you wish to perform the same analysis, but for the S&P 500 stock price
index (FSPCOM). Edit the program, changing MYHOUSE to MYSP500, and change all of
the references of HSF to FSPCOM:
' s&p analysis
workfile mysp500 m 1968m3 1997m6
fetch progdemo::fspcom
smpl 1968m5 1992m12
equation reg1.ls fspcom c fspcom(-1)
reg1.makeresid fspcomres
smpl 1993m1 1997m6
reg1.forecast fspcomfit
freeze(fscomplot) fspcomfit.line
save
Click on Run to execute the new analysis. Click on the Save button to save your program
file as MYPROG.PRG in the EViews directory.
Since most of these two programs are identical, it seems like a lot of typing to make two
separate programs. In Program Arguments on page 97 we show you a method for han-
dling these two forecasting problems with a single program. First however, we must define
the notion of variables that exist solely when running programs.
Program Variables
While you can use programs just to edit, run, and re-run collections of EViews commands,
the real power of the programming language comes from the use of program variables and
program control statements.
Control Variables
Control variables are variables that you can use in place of numerical values in your
EViews programs. Once a control variable is assigned a value, you can use it anywhere in a
program that you would normally use a number.
The name of a control variable starts with an ! mark. After the !, the name should be
a legal EViews name of 15 characters or fewer. Examples of control variable names are:
!x
!1
!counter
You need not declare control variables before your refer to them, though you must assign
them a value before use. Control variables are assigned in the usual way, with the control
variable name on the left of an = sign and a numerical value or expression on the right.
For example:
!x = 7
!12345 = 0
!counter = 12
!pi = 3.14159
Once assigned a value, a control variable may appear in an expression. For example:
!counter = !counter + 1
genr dnorm = 1/sqr(2*!pi)*exp(-1/2*epsilon^2)
scalar stdx = x/sqr(!varx)
smpl 1950q1+!i 1960q4+!i
Control variables do not exist outside of your program and are automatically erased after a
program finishes. As a result, control variables are not saved when you save the workfile.
You can save the values of control variables by creating new EViews objects which contain
the values of the control variable.
Program Variables89
For example, the following commands:
scalar stdx = sqr(!varx)
c(100) = !length
sample years 1960+!z 1990
use the numeric values assigned to the control variables !VARX, !LENGTH, and !Z.
String Variables
A string expression or string is text enclosed in double quotes:
"gross domestic product"
"3.14159"
"ar(1) ar(2) ma(1) ma(2)"
A string variable is a variable whose value is a string of text. String variables, which may
only exist during the time that your program is executing, have names that begin with a
% symbol. String variables are assigned by putting the string variable name on the left of
an = sign and a string expression on the right. For example, the following lines assign
values to string variables:
%value = "value in millions of u.s. dollars"
%armas = "ar(1) ar(2) ma(1) ma(2)"
%mysample = " 83m1 96m12"
%dep = " hs"
%pi = " 3.14159"
You may use strings variables to help you build up command text, variable names, or other
string values. EViews provides a number of operators and functions for manipulating
strings; a complete list is provided in Strings on page 117 of the Users Guide.
Once assigned a value, a string variable may appear in any expression in place of the
underlying string. When substituted for, the string variable will be replaced by the contents
of the string variable, enclosed in double quotes.
Here is a quick example where we use string operations to concatenate the contents of
three string variables.
!repeat = 500
%st1 = " draws from the normal"
%st2 = "Cauchy "
%st3 = @str(!repeat) + @left(%st1,16) + %st2 + "distribution"
In this example %ST3 is set to the value 500 draws from the Cauchy distribution. Note
the spaces before draws and after Cauchy in the string variable assignments. After
string variable substitution, the latter assignment is equivalent to entering
%st3 = "500" + " draws from the " + "Cauchy " + "distribution"
Similarly, the table assignment statement
table1(1,1) = %st3
is equivalent to entering the command
table(1,1) = "500 draws from the Cauchy distribution"
One important usage of string variables is in assigning string values to alpha series. For
example, we may have the assignment statement
%z = "Ralph"
alpha full_name = %z + last_name
which is equivalent to the expression
alpha full_name = "Ralph" + last_name
We again emphasize that string variable substitution involves replacing the string variable
by its string value contents enclosed in double quotes.
As with any string value, you may convert a string variable containing a number into a
number by using the @val function. For example,
%str = ".05"
!level = @val(%str)
creates a control variable !LEVEL=0.05. If the first character of the string is not a numeric
character (and is not a plus or a minus sign), @val returns the value NA. Any characters
to the right of the first non-digit character are ignored. For example,
%date = "04/23/97"
scalar day = @val(@right(%date,5))
scalar month = @val(%date)
creates scalar objects DAY=23 and MONTH=4.
Full details on working with strings are provided in Strings on page 117 in the Users
Guide.
Program Variables91
Replacement Variables
When working with EViews commands, you may wish to use a string variable, not simply
to refer to a string value, but as an indirect way of referring to something else, perhaps a
command, or a name, or portion of names for one or more underlying items.
Suppose, for example, that we assign the string variable %X the value GDP:
%x = "gdp"
We may be interested, not in the actual string value gdp, but rather in indirectly referring
to an underlying object named GDP. For example, the series declaration
series %x = 300.2
will generate an error since the substituted expression is
series "gdp" = 300.2
and the series declaration series expects the name of a series, not a string value. In this
circumstance, we would like to replace the string variable with the underlying name held
in the string.
If you enclose a string variable in curly braces ({ and }) EViews will replace the
expression with the name, names, or name fragment given by the string value. In this con-
text we refer to the expression {%X} as a replacement variable since the string variable
%X is replaced in the command line by the name or names of objects to which the string
refers. For example, the program line
equation eq1.ls {%x} c {%x}(-1)
would be interpreted by EViews as
equation eq1.ls gdp c gdp(-1)
Changing the contents of %X to M1 changes the interpretation of the original line to
equation eq1.ls m1 c m1(-1)
since the replacement variable uses the name obtained from the new %X.
Similarly, when trying to find the number of valid (non-missing) observations in a series
named INCOME, you may use the @obs function along with the name of the series:
@obs(income)
If you wish to use a string variable %VAR to refer to the INCOME series, you must use the
replacement variable in the @OBS function, as in
%var = "income"
@obs({%var})
since you wish to refer indirectly to the object named in %VAR. Note that the expression
@obs(%var)
will return an error since @OBS requires a series or matrix object name as an argument.
Any string variable may be used as the basis of a replacement variable. Simply form your
string using one or more string operations
%object = "group"
%space = " "
%reg1 = "gender"
%reg2 = "income"
%reg3 = "age"
%regs = %reg1 + %space + %reg2 + %space + %reg3
then enclose the string variable in braces. In the expression,
{%object} g1 {%regs}
EViews will substitute the names found in %OBJECT and %REGS so that the resulting
command is
group g1 gender income age
It is worth noting that replacement variables may be used as building blocks to form object
names. For example, the commands
%b = "2"
%c = "temp"
series z{%b}
matrix(2, 2) x{%b}
vector(3) x_{%c}_y
declare a series named Z2, a matrix named X2, and a vector named X_TEMP_Y.
Up until now we have focused on replacement variables formed from string variables. Note
however, that control variables may also be used as replacement variables. For example,
the commands
!i = 1
series y{!x} = nrnd
!j = 0
series y{!j}{!i} = nrnd
2 2
Program Variables93
are equivalent to
series y1 = nrnd
series y01 = nrnd
and will create two series Y1 and Y01 that contain a set of (pseudo-)random draws from a
standard normal distribution. Note that in cases where there is no possibility of ambiguity,
EViews will treat a control variable as a replacement variable, even if the braces are not
provided. For example:
!x = 3
series y!x = 3
will generate the series Y3 containing the value 3.
Replacement variables provide you with great flexibility in naming objects in your pro-
grams. We caution, however, that unless you take some care, they may cause considerable
confusion. We suggest, for example, that you avoid using the same base names to refer to
different objects. Consider the following program:
' possibly confusing commands (avoid)
!a = 1
series x{!a}
!a = 2
matrix x{!a}
In this small code snippet it is easy to see that X1 is the series and X2 is the matrix. But in
a more complicated program, where the control variable assignment !A=1 may be sepa-
rated from the declaration by many program lines, it may be difficult to tell at a glance
what kind of object X1 represents. A better approach might be to use different names for
different kinds of variables:
!a = 1
series ser{!a}
!a = 2
matrix mat{!a}
so that the replacement variable names are more apparent from casual examination of the
program.
Version 5 Compatibility Notes
While the underlying concepts behind string and replacement variables have not been
changed since the first version EViews, beginning in EViews 5 there are two important
changes in the implementation of these concepts.
String vs. Replacement Variables
First, the use of contextual information to distinguish between the use of string and
replacement variables has been eliminated.
Previously, the underlying notion that the expression %X refers exclusively to the string
variable %X while the expression {%X} refers to the corresponding replacement vari-
able was modified slightly to fit the context in which the expression was used. In earlier
versions of EViews, the string variable expression %X was treated as a string variable in
cases where a string was expected, but was treated as a replacement variable in other set-
tings.
For example, suppose that we have the string variables:
%y = "cons"
%x = "income"
When used in settings where a string is expected, all versions of EViews treat %X and %Y
as string variables. Thus, in table assignment, the command,
table1(2, 3) = %x + " " + %y
is equivalent to the expression,
table1(2, 3) = "cons" + " " + "income"
However, when string variables were used in other settings, earlier versions of EViews
used the context to determine that the string variable should be treated as a replacement
variable; for example, the three commands
equation eq1.ls %y c %x
equation eq1.ls {%y} c {%x}
equation eq1.ls cons c income
were all equivalent. Strictly speaking, the first command should have generated an error
since string variable substitution would replace %Y with the double-quote delimited string
cons and %X with the string income, as in
equation eq1.ls "cons" c "income"
Instead, earlier versions of EViews determined that the only valid interpretation of %Y and
%X in the first command was as replacement variables so EViews simply substitutes
names for %Y and %X.
Similarly, the commands
genr %y = %x
genr {%y} = {%x}
Program Variables95
genr cons = income
all yielded the same result, since %Y and %X were treated as replacement variables, not as
string variables.
This contextual interpretation of string variables was convenient since, as seen from the
examples above, it meant that users rarely needed to use braces around string variables.
The EViews 5 introduction of alphanumeric series meant, however, that the existing inter-
pretation of string variables was no longer valid. The following example clearly shows the
problem:
alpha parent = "mother"
%x = "parent"
alpha temp = %x
Note that in the final assignment statement, the command context alone is not sufficient to
determine whether %X should refer to the string variable value parent or to the replace-
ment variable (alpha series) PARENT containing the string mother.
In the EViews 5 interpretation of string and replacement variables, users must now always
use the expression {%X} to refer to the substitution variable corresponding to %X so
that the final line above resolves to the command
alpha temp = "parent"
To interpret the line as a replacement variable, you must enter
alpha temp = {%x}
which resolves to the command
alpha temp = parent
Under an EViews 4 and earlier interpretation of the final line, the braces would not be nec-
essary since %X would be treated as a replacement variable.
String Variables in String Expressions
The second major change in EViews 5 is that all text in a string expression is treated as a
literal string. The important implication of this rule is that string variable text is no longer
substituted for inside of a string expression.
Consider the assignment statements
%b = "mom!"
%a = "hi %b"
table(1, 2) = %a
In EViews 4 and earlier, the %B text in the string expression was treated as a string vari-
able, not as literal text. Accordingly, the string variable %A contains the text hi mom!.
One consequence of this approach was that there was no way to get the literal text of the
form %B into a string using a program.
Beginning in EViews 5, the %B in the second string variable assignment is treated as lit-
eral text. The string variable %A will contain the text hi %b. Obtaining a %A that con-
tains the EViews 4 result is straightforward. Simply move the first string variable %B
outside of the string expression, and use the string concatenation operator:
%a = "hi " + %b
assigns the text hi mom! to the string variable %A.
Version 4 Compatibility Mode
While the changes to the handling of string variables are important for extending the pro-
gramming language to handle the new features of the EViews 5, we recognize that users
may have a large library of existing programs which make use of the previous behavior.
Accordingly, EViews 5 provides a version 4 compatibility mode in which you may run
EViews programs using the previous context sensitive handling of string and substitution
variables, and the previous rules for resolving string variables in string expressions.
There are two ways to ensure that your program is run in version 4 compatibility mode.
First, you may specify version 4 compatibility mode at the time the program is run. Com-
patibility may be set interactively from the Run Program dialog (Executing a Program on
page 84) by selecting the Version 4 compatible variable substitution checkbox, or in a
program using the ver4 option (see run (p. 405)).
Alternatively, you may include MODE VER4 statement in your program. See Program
Modes on page 96 for details.
Program Modes
EViews provides you with the opportunity to set program execution modes at the time that
the program is first run. In addition, you may use the MODE statement to change the
execution mode of a program from within the program itself. One important benefit to
using MODE statements is that the program can begin executing in one mode, and
switch to a second mode as the program executes.
Mode options are available for turning on quiet or verbose mode, or for switching between
version 4 and version 5 compatibility.
To change the mode for quiet or verbose mode, simply add a line to your program reading
MODE followed by either the QUIET or the VERBOSE keyword, as in
Program Arguments97
mode quiet
For version 4 or 5 compatibility, you should use the keywords VER4 or VER5. To use
version 4 compatibility mode, you may specify
mode ver4
as a line in the body of the program.
Multiple settings may be set in a single MODE= line:
mode quiet ver4
and multiple mode statements may be specified in a program to change the mode as the
program runs:
mode quiet
[some program lines]
mode verbose
[additional program lines]
Note that setting the execution mode explicitly in a program overrides any settings speci-
fied at the time the program is executed.
Program Arguments
Program arguments are special string variables that are passed to your program when you
run the program. Arguments allow you to change the value of string variables every time
you run the program. You may use them in any context where a string variable is appropri-
ate. Any number of arguments may be included in a program; they will be named %0,
%1, %2, and so on.
When you run a program that takes arguments, you will also supply the values for the
arguments. If you use the Run button or File/Run, you will see a dialog box where you
can type in the values of the arguments. If you use the run command, you should list the
arguments consecutively after the name of the program.
For example, suppose we have a program named REGPROG:
equation eq1
smpl 1980q3 1994q1
eq1.ls {%0} c {%1} {%1}(-1) time
To run REGPROG from the command line with %0=lgdp and %1=m1, we enter
run regprog lgdp m1
This program performs a regression of the variable LGDP, on C, M1, M1(-1), and TIME, by
executing the command:
eq1.ls lgdp c m1 m1(-1) time
Alternatively, you can run this program by clicking on the Run button on the program win-
dow, or selecting File/Run.... In the Run Program dialog box that appears, type the name
of the program in the Program name or path field and enter the values of the arguments in
the Program arguments field. For this example, type regprog for the name of the pro-
gram, and lgdp and m1 for the arguments.
Any arguments in your program that are not initialized in the run command or Run Pro-
gram dialog are treated as blanks. For example, suppose you have a one-line program
named REGRESS:
equation eq1.ls y c time {%0} {%1} {%2} {%3} {%4} {%5} {%6}
{%7} {%8}
The command,
run regress x x(-1) x(-2)
executes
equation eq1.ls y c time x x(-1) x(-2)
while the command,
run regress
executes
ls y c time
In both cases, EViews ignores arguments that are not included in your run command.
As a last example, we repeat our simple forecasting program from above, but use argu-
ments to simplify our work. Suppose you have the program, MYPROG:
wfcreate {%0} m 1968m3 1997m6
fetch progdemo::{%1}
smpl 1968m5 1992m12
equation reg1.ls {%1} c {%1}(-1)
reg1.makeresid {%1}res
smpl 1993m1 1997m6
reg1.forecast {%1}fit
Control of Execution99
freeze({%1}plot) {%1}fit.line
save
The results of running the two example programs at the start of this chapter can be dupli-
cated by running MYPROG with arguments:
run myprog myhouse hsf
and
run myprog mysp500 fspcom
Control of Execution
EViews provides you with several ways to control the execution of commands in your pro-
grams. Controlling execution in your program means that you can execute commands
selectively or repeat commands under changing conditions. The methods for controlling
execution will be familiar from other computer languages.
IF Statements
There are many situations where you want to execute commands only if some condition is
satisfied. EViews uses IF and ENDIF, or IF, ELSE, and ENDIF statements to indicate the
condition to be met and the commands to be executed.
An IF statement starts with the if keyword, followed by an expression for the condition,
and then the word then. You may use AND/OR statements in the condition, using paren-
theses to group parts of the statement as necessary.
All comparisons follow the rules outlined in Numeric Relational Operators beginning on
page 124 and String Relational Operators beginning on page 119 of the Users Guide.
Note that beginning in EViews 5, all string comparisons in programs are case-sensitive.
This is a change from previous versions of EViews. You may perform caseless comparison
by using the @UPPER or @LOWER string functions.
If the expression is TRUE, all of the commands until the matching endif are executed. If
the expression is FALSE, all of these commands are skipped. The expression to be tested
may also take a numerical value. In this case, 0 and NA are equivalent to FALSE and any
other non-zero value is TRUE. For example:
if !stand=1 or (!rescale=1 and !redo=1) then
series gnpstd = gnp/sqr(gvar)
series constd = cons/sqr(cvar)
endif
if !a>5 and !a<10 then
smpl 1950q1 1970q1+!a
endif
if !scale then
series newage = age/!scale
endif
Note that in this example, all indentation is done for program clarity and has no effect on
the execution of the program lines.
An IF statement may have an ELSE clause containing commands to be executed if the con-
dition is FALSE. If the condition is true, all of the commands up to the keyword else will
be executed. If the condition is FALSE, all of the commands between else and endif will
be executed. For example:
if !scale>0 then
series newage = age/!scale
else
series newage = age
endif
IF statements may also be applied to string variables:
if %0="CA" or %0="IN" then
series stateid = 1
else
if %0="MA" then
series stateid=2
else
if %0="IN" then
series stateid=3
endif
endif
endif
Note that the nesting of our comparisons does not create any difficulties.
You should take care when using the IF statement with series or matrices to note that the
comparison is defined on the entire object and will evaluate to false unless every element
of the element-wise comparison is true. Thus, if X and Y are series, the IF statement
if x<>y then
[some program lines]
endif
evaluates to false if any element of X is not equal to the corresponding value of Y in the
default sample. If X and Y are identically sized vectors or matrices, the comparison is over
all of the elements X and Y. This behavior is described in greater detail in Relational Oper-
ators (=, >, >=, <, <=, <>) on page 36.
The FOR Loop
The FOR loop allows you to repeat a set of commands for different values of a control or
string variable. The FOR loop begins with a for statement and ends with a next state-
ment. Any number of commands may appear between these two statements.
The syntax of the FOR statement differs depending upon whether it uses control variables
or string variables.
FOR Loops with Control Variables or Scalars
To repeat statements for different values of a control variable, the FOR statement involves
setting a control variable equal to an initial value, followed by the word to, and then an
ending value. After the ending value you may include the word step followed by a num-
ber indicating by how much to change the control variable each time the loop is executed.
If you dont include step, the step is assumed to be 1. For example,
for !j=1 to 10
series decile{!j} = (income<level{!j})
next
In this example, STEP=1 and the variable J is twice used as a replacement variable, first
for the ten series declarations DECILE1 through DECILE10 and for the ten variables
LEVEL1 through LEVEL10.
for !j=10 to 1 step -1
series rescale{!j}=original/!j
next
In this example, the step is -1, and J is used as a replacement variable to name the ten con-
structed series RESCALE10 through RESCALE1 and as a scalar in dividing the series ORIG-
INAL.
The FOR loop is executed first for the initial value, unless that value is already beyond the
terminal value. After it is executed for the initial value, the control variable is incremented
by step and EViews compares the variable to the limit. If the limit is passed, execution
stops.
One important use of FOR loops with control variables is to change the sample. If you add
a control variable to a date in a smpl command, you will get a new date as many observa-
tions forward as the current value of the control variable. Here is a FOR loop that gradually
increases the size of the sample and estimates a rolling regression:
for !horizon=10 to 72
smpl 1970m1 1970m1+!horizon
equation eq{!horizon}.ls sales c orders
next
One other important case where you will use loops with control variables is in accessing
elements of a series or matrix objects. For example,
!rows = @rows(vec1)
vector cumsum1 = vec1
for !i=2 to !rows
cumsum1(!i) = cumsum1(!i-1) + vec1(!i)
next
computes the cumulative sum of the elements in the vector VEC1 and saves it in the vector
CUMSUM1.
To access an individual element of a series, you will need to use the @elem function and
@otod to get the desired element
for !i=2 to !rows
cumsum1(!i) = @elem(ser1, @otod(!i))
next
The @otod function returns the date associated with the observation index (counting from
the beginning of the workfile), and the @elem function extracts the series element associ-
ated with a given date.
You can nest FOR loops to contain loops within loops. The entire inner FOR loop is exe-
cuted for each successive value of the outer FOR loop. For example:
matrix(25,10) xx
for !i=1 to 25
for !j=1 to 10
xx(!i,!j)=(!i-1)*10+!j
next
next
You should avoid changing the control variable within a FOR loop. For example, consider
the commands:
' potentially confusing loop (avoid doing this)
for !i=1 to 25
vector a!i
!i=!i+10
next
Here, both the FOR assignment and the assignment statement within the loop change the
value of the control variable I. Loops of this type are difficult to follow and may produce
unintended results. If you find a need to change a control variable inside the loop, consider
using a WHILE loop as explained below.
You may execute FOR loops with scalars instead of control variables. However, you must
first declare the scalar, and you may not use the scalar as a replacement variable. For
example,
scalar i
scalar sum = 0
vector (10) x
for i=1 to 10
x(i) = i
sum = sum + i
next
In this example, the scalars I and SUM remain in the workfile after the program has fin-
ished running, unless they are explicitly deleted.
FOR Loops with String Variables
When you wish to repeat statements for different values of a string variable, you can use
the FOR loop to let a string variable range over a list of string values. Give the name of the
string variable followed by the list of values. For example,
for %y gdp gnp ndp nnp
equation {%y}trend.ls %y c {%y}(-1) time
next
executes the commands
equation gdptrend.ls gdp c gdp(-1) time
equation gnptrend.ls gnp c gnp(-1) time
equation ndptrend.ls ndp c ndp(-1) time
equation nnptrend.ls nnp c nnp(-1) time
You can put multiple string variables in the same FOR statementEViews will process the
strings in sets. For example:
for %1 %2 %3 1955q1 1960q4 early 1970q2 1980q3 mid 1975q4
1995q1 late
smpl %1 %2
equation {%3}eq.ls sales c orders
next
In this case, the elements of the list are taken in groups of three. The loop is executed three
times for the different sample pairs and equation names:
smpl 1955q1 1960q4
equation earlyeq.ls sales c orders
smpl 1970q2 1980q3
equation mideq.ls sales c orders
smpl 1975q4 1995q1
equation lateeq.ls sales c orders
Note the difference between this construction and nested FOR loops. Here, all string vari-
ables are advanced at the same time, whereas with nested loops, the inner variable is
advanced over all choices, while the outer variable is held constant. For example:
!eqno = 1
for %1 1955q1 1960q4
for %2 1970q2 1980q3 1975q4
smpl %1 %2
'form equation name as eq1 through eq6
equation eq{!eqno}.ls sales c orders
!eqno=!eqno+1
next
next
Here, the equations are estimated over the samples 1955Q11970Q2 for EQ1, 1955Q1
1980Q3 for EQ2, 1955Q11975Q4 for EQ3, 1960Q41970Q2 for EQ4, 1960Q41980Q3 for
EQ5, and 1960Q41975Q4 for EQ6.
The WHILE Loop
In some cases, we wish to repeat a series of commands several times, but only while one
or more conditions are satisfied. Like the FOR loop, the WHILE loop allows you to repeat
commands, but the WHILE loop provides greater flexibility in specifying the required con-
ditions.
The WHILE loop begins with a while statement and ends with a wend statement. Any
number of commands may appear between the two statements. WHILE loops can be
nested.
The WHILE statement consists of the while keyword followed by an expression involving
a control variable. The expression should have a logical (true/false) value or a numerical
value. In the latter case, zero is considered false and any non-zero value is considered true.
If the expression is true, the subsequent statements, up to the matching wend, will be exe-
cuted, and then the procedure is repeated. If the condition is false, EViews will skip the fol-
lowing commands and continue on with the rest of the program following the wend
statement. For example:
!val = 1
!a = 1
while !val<10000 and !a<10
smpl 1950q1 1970q1+!a
series inc{!val} = income/!val
!val = !val*10
!a = !a+1
wend
There are four parts to this WHILE loop. The first part is the initialization of the control
variables used in the test condition. The second part is the WHILE statement which
includes the test. The third part is the statements updating the control variables. Finally
the end of the loop is marked by the word wend.
Unlike a FOR statement, the WHILE statement does not update the control variable used in
the test condition. You need to explicitly include a statement inside the loop that changes
the control variable, or your loop will never terminate. Use the F1 key to break out of a
program which is in an infinite loop.
In the example above of a FOR loop that changed the control variable, a WHILE loop pro-
vides a much clearer program:
!i = 1
while !i<=25
vector a{!i}
!i = !i + 11
wend
Handling Execution Errors
By default, EViews will stop executing after encountering any errors, but you can instruct
the program to continue running even if errors are encountered (see Executing a Pro-
gram on page 84). In the latter case, you may wish to perform different tasks when errors
are encountered. For example, you may wish to skip a set of lines which accumulate esti-
mation results when the estimation procedure generated errors.
To test for and handle execution errors, you should use the @errorcount function to
return the number of errors encountered while executing your program:
!errs = @errorcount
The information about the number of errors may be used by standard program statements
to control the behavior of the program.
For example, to test whether the estimation of a equation generated an error, you should
compare the number of errors before and after the command:
!old_count = @errorcount
equation eq1.ls y x c
!new_count = @errorcount
if !new_count > !old_count then
[various commands]
endif
Here, we perform a set of commands only if the estimation of equation EQ1 incremented
the error count.
Other Tools
Occasionally, you will wish to stop a program or break out of a loop based on some condi-
tions. To stop a program executing in EViews, use the stop command. For example, sup-
pose you write a program that requires the series SER1 to have nonnegative values. The
following commands check whether the series is nonnegative and halt the program if SER1
contains any negative value:
series test = (ser1<0)
if @sum(test) <> 0 then
stop
endif
Note that if SER1 contains missing values, the corresponding value of TEST will also be
missing. Since the @sum function ignores missing values, the program does not halt for
SER1 that has missing values, as long as there is no negative value.
Multiple Program Files107
Sometimes, you do not wish to stop the entire program when a condition is satisfied; you
just wish to exit the current loop. The exitloop command will exit the current for or
while statement and continue running the program.
For example, suppose you computed a sequence of LR test statistics LR11, LR10, LR9, ...,
LR1, say to test the lag length of a VAR. The following program sequentially carries out the
LR test starting from LR11 and tells you the statistic that is first rejected at the 5% level:
!df = 9
for !lag = 11 to 1 step -1
!pval = 1 - @cchisq(lr{!lag},!df)
if !pval<=.05 then
exitloop
endif
next
scalar lag=!lag
Note that the scalar LAG has the value 0 if none of the test statistics are rejected.
Multiple Program Files
When working with long programs, you may wish to organize your code using multiple
files. For example, suppose you have a program file named POWERS.PRG which contains a
set of program lines that you wish to use.
While you may be tempted to string files together using the run command, we caution you
that EViews will stop after executing the commands in the referenced file. Thus, a program
containing the lines
run powers.prg
series x = nrnd
will only execute the commands in the file POWERS, and will stop before generating the
series X. This behavior is probably not what you intended.
You should instead use the include keyword to include the contents of a program file in
another program file. For example, you can place the line
include powers
at the top of any other program that needs to use the commands in POWERS. include
also accepts a full path to the program file, and you may have more than one include
statement in a program. For example, the lines,
include c:\programs\powers.prg
include durbin_h
[more lines]
will first execute all of the commands in C:\PROGRAMS\POWERS.PRG, then will execute
the commands in DURBIN_H.PRG, and then will execute the remaining lines in the pro-
gram file.
Subroutines provide a more general, alternative method of reusing commands and using
arguments.
Subroutines
A subroutine is a collection of commands that allows you to perform a given task repeat-
edly, with minor variations, without actually duplicating the commands. You can also use
subroutines from one program to perform the same task in other programs.
Defining Subroutines
A subroutine starts with the keyword subroutine followed by the name of the routine
and any arguments, and ends with the keyword endsub. Any number of commands can
appear in between. The simplest type of subroutine has the following form:
subroutine z_square
series x = z^2
endsub
where the keyword subroutine is followed only by the name of the routine. This subrou-
tine has no arguments so that it will behave identically every time it is used. It forms the
square of the existing series Z and stores it in the new series X.
You can use the return command to force EViews to exit from the subroutine at any time.
A common use of return is to exit from the subroutine if an unanticipated error is
detected. The following program exits the subroutine if Durbins statistic for testing
serial correlation with a lagged dependent variable cannot be computed (for details, see
Greene, 1997, p.596, or Davidson and MacKinnon, 1993, p. 360):
subroutine durbin_h
equation eqn.ls cs c cs(-1) inc
scalar test=1-eqn.@regobs*eqn.@cov(2,2)
' an error is indicated by test being nonpositive
' exit on error
if test<=0 then
return
endif
h
Subroutines109
' compute h statistic if test positive
scalar h=(1-eqn.@dw/2)*sqr(eqn.@regobs/test)
endsub
Subroutine with arguments
The subroutines so far have been written to work with a specific set of variables. More
generally, subroutines can take arguments. If you are familiar with another programming
language, you probably already know how arguments allow you to change the behavior of
the group of commands each time the subroutine is used. Even if you havent encountered
subroutines, you are probably familiar with similar concepts from mathematics. You can
define a function, say
(6.1)
where depends upon the argument . The argument is merely a place holderits
there to define the function and it does not really stand for anything. Then, if you want to
evaluate the function at a particular numerical value, say 0.7839, you can write
. If you want to evaluate the function at a different value, say 0.50123, you
merely write . By defining the function, you save yourself from writing out the
whole expression every time you wish to evaluate it for a different value.
To define a subroutine with arguments, you start with subroutine, followed by the sub-
routine name, a left parenthesis, the arguments separated by commas, and finally a right
parenthesis. Each argument is specified by listing a type of EViews object, followed by the
name of the argument. Control variables may be passed by the scalar type and string vari-
ables by the string type. For example:
subroutine power(series v, series y, scalar p)
v = y^p
endsub
This subroutine generalizes the example subroutine Z_SQUARE. Calling POWER will fill
the series given by the argument V with the power P of the series specified by the argu-
ment Y. So if you set V equal to X, Y equal to Z, and P equal to 2, you will get the equiva-
lent of the subroutine Z_SQUARE above. See the discussion below on how to call
subroutines.
Subroutine Placement
Your subroutine definitions should be placed, in any order, at the beginning of your pro-
gram. The subroutines will not be executed until they are executed by the program using a
call statement. For example:
f x ( ) x
2
=
f x x
f 0.7839 ( )
f 0.50123 ( )
subroutine z_square
series x=z^2
endsub
' start of program execution
load mywork
fetch z
call z_square
Execution of this program begins with the load statement; the subroutine definition is
skipped and is executed only at the last line when it is called.
The subroutine definitions must not overlapafter the subroutine keyword, there
should be an endsub before the next subroutine declaration. Subroutines may call each
other, or even call themselves.
Alternatively, you may wish to place frequently used subroutines in a separate program file
and use an include statement to insert them at the beginning of your program. If, for
example, you put the subroutine lines in the file POWERS.PRG, then you may put the line:
include powers
at the top of any other program that needs to call Z_SQUARE or POWER. You can use the
subroutines in these programs as though they were built-in parts of the EViews program-
ming language.
Calling Subroutines
Once a subroutine is defined, you may execute the commands in the subroutine by using
the call keyword. call should be followed by the name of the subroutine, and a list of
any argument values you wish to use, enclosed in parentheses and separated by commas.
If the subroutine takes arguments, they must all be provided in the same order as in the
declaration statement. Here is an example program file that calls subroutines:
include powers
load mywork
fetch z gdp
series x
series gdp2
series gdp3
call z_square
call power(gdp2,gdp,2)
call power(gdp3,gdp,3)
Subroutines111
The first call fills the series X with the value of Z squared. The second call creates the
series GDP2 which is GDP squared. The last call creates the series GDP3 as the cube of
GDP.
When the subroutine argument is a scalar, the subroutine may be called with a scalar
object, a control variable, a simple number (such as 10 or 15.3), a matrix element
(such as mat1(1,2)) or a scalar expression (such as !y+25). Subroutines that take
matrix and vector arguments can be called with a matrix name, and if not modified by the
subroutine, may also take a matrix expression. All other arguments must be passed to the
subroutine with a simple object (or string) name referring to a single object of the correct
type.
Global and Local Variables
Subroutines work with variables and objects that are either global or local.
Global variables refer either to objects which exist in the workfile when the subroutine is
called, or to the objects that are created in the workfile by a subroutine. Global variables
remain in the workfile when the subroutine finishes.
A local variable is one that has meaning only within the subroutine. Local variables are
deleted from the workfile once a subroutine finishes. The program that calls the subroutine
will not know anything about a local variable since the local variable will disappear once
the subroutine finishes and returns to the original program.
Global Subroutines
By default, subroutines in EViews are global. Any global subroutine may refer to any glo-
bal object that exists in the workfile at the time the subroutine is called. Thus, if Z is a
series in the workfile, the subroutine may refer to and, if desired, alter the series Z. Simi-
larly, if Y is a global matrix that has been created by another subroutine, the current sub-
routine may use the matrix Y.
The rules for variables in global subroutines are:
Newly created objects are global and will be included in the workfile when the sub-
routine finishes.
Global objects may be used and updated directly from within the subroutine. If,
however, a global object has the same name as an argument in a subroutine, the
variable name will refer to the argument and not to the global variable.
The global objects corresponding to arguments may be used and updated by refer-
ring to the arguments.
Here is a simple program that calls a global subroutine:
subroutine z_square
series x = z^2
endsub
load mywork
fetch z
call z_square
Z_SQUARE is a global subroutine which has access to the global series Z. The new global
series X contains the square of the series Z. Both X and Z remain in the workfile when
Z_SQUARE is finished.
If one of the arguments of the subroutine has the same name as a global variable, the argu-
ment name takes precedence. Any reference to the name in the subroutine will refer to the
argument, not to the global variable. For example:
subroutine sqseries(series z,string %name)
series {%name} = z^2
endsub
load mywork
fetch z
fetch y
call sqseries(y,"y2")
In this example, there is a series Z in the original workfile and Z is also an argument of the
subroutine. Calling SQSERIES with the argument set to Y tells EViews to use the argument
rather than the global Z. Upon completion of the routine, a new series Y2 will contain the
square of the series Y, not the square of the series Z.
Global subroutines may call global subroutines. You should make certain to pass along any
required arguments when you call a subroutine from within a subroutine. For example,
subroutine wgtols(series y, series wt)
equation eq1
call ols(eq1, y)
equation eq2
series temp = y/sqr(wt)
call ols(eq2,temp)
delete temp
endsub
subroutine ols(equation eq, series y)
eq.ls y c y(-1) y(-1)^2 y(-1)^3
Subroutines113
endsub
can be run by the program:
load mywork
fetch cpi
fetch cs
call wgtols(cs,cpi)
In this example, the subroutine WGTOLS explicitly passes along the arguments for EQ and
Y to the subroutine OLS; otherwise those arguments would not be recognized by OLS. If
EQ and Y were not passed, OLS would try to find a global series named Y and a global
equation named EQ, instead of using EQ1 and CS or EQ2 and TEMP.
You cannot use a subroutine to change the object type of a global variable. Suppose that
we wish to declare new matrices X and Y by using a subroutine NEWXY. In this example,
the declaration of the matrix Y works, but the declaration of matrix X generates an error
because a series named X already exists:
subroutine newxy
matrix(2,2) x = 0
matrix(2,2) y = 0
endsub
load mywork
series x
call newxy
EViews will return an error indicating that the global series X already exists and is of a dif-
ferent type than a matrix.
Local Subroutines
All objects created by a global subroutine will be global and will remain in the workfile
upon exit from the subroutine. If you include the word local in the definition of the sub-
routine, you create a local subroutine. All objects created by a local subroutine will be local
and will be removed from the workfile upon exit from the subroutine. Local subroutines
are most useful when you wish to write a subroutine which creates many temporary
objects that you do not want to keep.
The rules for variables in local subroutines are:
You may not use or update global objects directly from within the subroutine.
The global objects corresponding to arguments may be used and updated by refer-
ring to the arguments.
All other objects in the subroutine are local and will vanish when the subroutine fin-
ishes.
If you want to save results from a local subroutine, you have to explicitly include them in
the arguments. For example, consider the subroutine:
subroutine local ols(series y, series res, scalar ssr)
equation temp_eq.ls y c y(-1) y(-1)^2 y(-1)^3
temp_eq.makeresid res
ssr = temp_eq.@ssr
endsub
This local subroutine takes the series Y as input and returns the series RES and scalar SSR
as output. The equation object TEMP_EQ is local to the subroutine and will vanish when
the subroutine finishes.
Here is an example program that calls this local subroutine:
load mywork
fetch hsf
equation eq1.ls hsf c hsf(-1)
eq1.makeresid rres
scalar rssr = eq1.@ssr
series ures
scalar ussr
call ols(hsf, ures, ussr)
Note how we first declare the series URES and scalar USSR before calling the local subrou-
tine. These objects are global since they are declared outside the local subroutine. When
we call the local subroutine by passing these global objects as arguments, the subroutine
will update these global variables.
There is one exception to the general inaccessibility of global variables in local subrou-
tines. When a global group is passed as an argument to a local subroutine, any series in
the group is accessible to the local routine.
Local subroutines can call global subroutines and vice versa. The global subroutine will
only have access to the global variables, and the local subroutine will only have access to
the local variables, unless information is passed between the routines via arguments. For
example, the subroutine
subroutine newols(series y, series res)
include ols
equation eq1.ls y c y(-1)
Programming Summary115
eq1.makeresid res
scalar rssr=eq1.@ssr
series ures
scalar ussr
call ols(y, ures, ussr)
endsub
and the program
load mywork
fetch hsf
series rres
call newols(hsf, rres)
produce equivalent results. Note that the subroutine NEWOLS still does not have access to
any of the temporary variables in the local routine OLS, even though OLS is called from
within NEWOLS.
Programming Summary
Support Commands
open.....................opens a program file from disk (p. 356).
output ..................redirects print output to objects or files (p. 361).
poff ......................turns off automatic printing in programs (p. 608).
pon.......................turns on automatic printing in programs (p. 608).
program................declares a program.
run.......................runs a program (p. 405).
statusline ..............sends message to the status line (p. 609).
tic.........................reset the timer (p. 482).
toc........................display elapsed time (since timer reset) in seconds (p. 483).
Program Statements
call .......................calls a subroutine within a program (p. 603).
else.......................denotes start of alternative clause for IF (p. 604).
endif.....................marks end of conditional commands (p. 604).
endsub .................marks end of subroutine definition (p. 604).
exitloop ................exits from current loop (p. 605).
for ........................start of FOR execution loop (p. 606).
if ..........................conditional execution statement (p. 606).
include ................ include subroutine in programs (p. 607).
next ..................... end of FOR loop (p. 607).
return .................. exit subroutine (p. 609).
step ..................... (optional) step size of a FOR loop (p. 610).
stop ..................... halts execution of program (p. 611).
subroutine ........... declares subroutine (p. 611).
then..................... part of IF statement (p. 612).
to......................... upper limit of FOR loop (p. 613).
wend ................... end of WHILE loop (p. 614).
while ................... start of WHILE loop (p. 614).
Support Functions
@date.................. string containing the current date (p. 603).
@errorcount ........ number of errors encountered (p. 605).
@evpath .............. string containing the directory path for the EViews executable
(p. 605).
@isobject............. checks for existence of object (p. 607).
@temppath.......... string containing the directory path for EViews temporary files
(p. 611).
@time ................. string containing the current time (p. 612).
@toc.................... calculates elapsed time (since timer reset) in seconds (p. 613).
Chapter 7. Strings and Dates
Strings
An alphanumeric string is a set of characters containing alphabetic (alpha) and
numeric characters, and in some cases symbols, found on a standard keyboard.
Strings in EViews may include spaces and dashes, as well as single or double quote
characters. Note also that EViews does not support unicode characters.
When entering alphanumeric values into EViews, you generally should enclose your
characters in double quotes. The following are all examples of valid string input:
"John Q. Public"
"Ax$23!*jFg5"
"000-00-0000"
"(949)555-5555"
"11/27/2002"
"3.14159"
You should use the double quote character as an escape character for double quotes
in a string. Simply enter two double quote characters to include the single double
quote in the string:
"A double quote is given by entering two "" characters."
Bear in mind that strings are simply sequences of characters with no special interpre-
tation. The string values 3.14159 and 11/27/2002 might, for example, be used to
represent a number and a date, but as strings they have no such intrinsic interpreta-
tion. To provide such an interpretation, you must use the EViews tools for translating
string values into numeric or date values (see String Information Functions on
page 122 and Translating between Date Strings and Date Numbers on page 133
and).
Lastly, we note that the empty, or null, string () has multiple interpretations in
EViews. In settings where we employ strings as a building block for other strings, the
null string is interpreted as a blank string with no additional meaning. If, for exam-
ple, we concatenate two strings, one of which is empty, the resulting string will sim-
ply be the non-empty string.
In other settings, the null string is interpreted as a missing value. In settings where
we use string values as a category, for example when performing categorizations, the
null string is interpreted as both a blank string and a missing value. You may then
118Chapter 7. Strings and Dates
choose to exclude or not exclude the missing value as a category when computing a tabu-
lation using the string values. This designation of the null string as a missing value is rec-
ognized by a variety of views and procedures in EViews and may prove useful.
Likewise, when performing string comparisons using blank strings, EViews generally treats
the blank string as a missing value. As with numeric comparisons involving missing val-
ues, comparisons involving missing values will often generate a missing value. We discuss
this behavior in greater detail in our discussion of String Comparison (with empty
strings) on page 120.
String Operators
The following operators are supported for strings: (1) concatenationplus (+), and (2)
relationalequal to (=), not equal to (<>), greater than (>), greater than or
equal to (>=), less than (<), less than or equal to (<=).
String Concatenation Operator
Given two strings, concatenation creates a new string which contains the first string fol-
lowed immediately by the second string. You may concatenate strings in EViews using the
concatenation operator, +. For example,
"John " + "Q." + " Public"
"3.14" + "159"
returns the strings
"John Q. Public"
"3.14159"
Bear in mind that string concatenation is a simple operation that does not involve interpre-
tation of strings as numbers or dates. Note in particular that the latter entry yields the con-
catenated string, 3.14159, not the sum of the two numeric values, 162.14. To obtain
numeric results, you will first have to convert your strings into a number (see String Infor-
mation Functions on page 122).
Lastly, we note that when concatenating strings, the empty string is interpreted as a blank
string, not as a missing value. Thus, the expression
"Mary " + "" + "Smith"
yields
"Mary Smith"
since the middle string is interpreted as a blank.
Strings119
String Relational Operators
The relational operators return a 1 if the comparison is true, and 0 if the comparison is
false. In some cases, relational comparisons involving null strings will return a NA.
String Ordering
To determine the ordering of strings, EViews employs the region-specific collation order as
supplied by the Windows operating system using the users regional settings. Central to the
tasks of sorting or alphabetizing, the collation order is the culturally influenced order of
characters in a particular language.
While we cannot possibly describe all of the region-specific collation order rules, we note a
few basic concepts. First, all punctuation marks and other non alphanumeric characters,
except for the hyphen and the apostrophe precede the alphanumeric symbols. The apostro-
phe and hyphen characters are treated distinctly so that were and were remain close
in a sorted list. Second, the collation order is case specific, so that the character a pre-
cedes A. In addition, similar characters are kept close so that strings beginning with a
are followed by strings beginning with A, ahead of strings beginning with b and B.
Typically, we determine the order of two strings by evaluating strings character-by-charac-
ter, comparing pairs of corresponding characters in turn, until we find the first pair for
which the strings differ. If, using the collation order, we determine the first character is less
than the second character, we say that the first string is less than the second string and the
second string is greater than the first. Two strings are said to be equal if they have the same
number of identical characters.
If the two strings are identical in every character, but one of them is shorter than the other,
then a comparison will indicate that the longer string is greater. A corollary of this state-
ment is that the null string is less than or equal to all other strings.
The multi-character elements that arise in many languages are treated as single characters
for purposes of comparison, and ordered using region-specific rules. For example, the
CH and LL in Traditional Spanish are treated as unique characters that come between
C and L and M, respectively.
String Comparison (with non-empty strings)
Having defined the notion of string ordering, we may readily describe the behavior of the
relational operators for non-empty (non-missing) strings. The = (equal), >= (greater
than or equal), and <= (less than or equal), <> (not equal), > (greater than),
and < (less than) comparison operators return a 1 or a 0, depending on the result of the
string comparison. To illustrate, the following (non region-specific) comparisons return the
value 1,
"abc" = "abc"
"abc" <> "def"
"abc" <= "def"
"abc" < "abcdefg"
"ABc" > "ABC"
"abc def" > "abc 1ef"
while the following return a 0,
"AbC" = "abc"
"abc" <> "abc"
"aBc" >= "aB1"
"aBC" <= "a123"
"abc" >= "abcdefg"
To compare portions of strings, you may use the functions @LEFT, @RIGHT, and @MID to
extract the relevant part of the string (see String Manipulation Functions on page 123).
The relational comparisons,
@left("abcdef", 3) = "abc"
@right("abcdef", 3) = "def"
@mid("abcdef", 2, 2) = "bc"
all return 1.
To perform a caseless comparison, you should convert the expressions to all uppercase, or
all lowercase using the @UPPER, or @LOWER functions. The comparisons,
@upper("abc") = @upper("aBC")
@lower("ABC" = @lower("aBc")
both return 1.
To ignore leading and trailing spaces, you should use the @LTRIM, @RTRIM, and @TRIM
functions remove the spaces prior to using the operator. The relational comparisons,
@ltrim(" abc") = "abc"
@ltrim(" abc") = @rtrim("abc ")
@trim(" abc ") = "abc"
all return 1.
String Comparison (with empty strings)
Generally speaking, the relational operators treat the empty string as a missing value and
return the numeric missing value NA when applied to such a string. Suppose, for example
that an observation in the alpha series X contains the string Apple, and the correspond-
Strings121
ing observation in the alpha series Y contains a blank string. All comparisons (X=Y,
X>Y, X>=Y, X<Y, X<=Y, and X<>Y) will generate an NA for that obser-
vation since the Y value is treated as a missing value.
Note that this behavior differs from EViews 4.1 and earlier in which empty strings were
treated as ordinary blank strings and not as a missing value. In these versions of EViews,
the comparison operators always returned a 0 or a 1. The change in behavior, while regret-
table, is deemed necessary to support the use of string missing values.
It is still possible to perform comparisons using the previous methods. One approach is to
use the special functions @EQNA and @NEQNA for performing equality and strict ine-
quality comparisons without propagating NAs (see String Information Functions on
page 122). For example, you may use the expressions
@eqna(x, y)
@neqna(x, y)
so that blanks in either X or Y are treated as ordinary string values. Using these two func-
tions, the observation where X contains Apple and Y contains the will evaluate to 0
and 1, respectively instead of NA.
Alternatively, if you specify a relational expression involving a literal blank string, EViews
will perform the test treating empty strings as ordinary string values. If, for example, you
test
x = ""
or
x < ""
all of the string values in X will be tested against the string literal . You should contrast
this behavior with the behavior for the tests X=Y and X<Y where blank values of X
or Y result in an NA comparison.
Lastly, EViews provides a function for the strict purpose of testing whether or not a string
value is an empty string. The @ISEMPTY function tests whether each element of the alpha
series contains an empty string. The relational equality test against the blank string literal
is equivalent to this function.
String Functions
EViews provides a number of functions that may be used with strings or that return string
values.
String Information Functions
The following is a brief summary of the basic functions that take strings as an argument
and return a number.
@LENGTH(str): returns an integer value for the length of the string str.
@length("I did not do it")
returns the value 15.
A shortened form of this function, @LEN, is also supported.
@INSTR(str1, str2[, int]): finds the starting position of the target string str2 in the
base string str1. By default, the function returns the location of the first occurrence
of str2 in str1. You may provide an optional integer int to change the occurrence. If
the occurrence of the target string is not found, @INSTR will return a 0.
The returned integer is often used in conjunction with @MID to extract a portion of
the original string.
@instr("1.23415", "34")
returns the value 4, since the substring 34 appears beginning in the fourth charac-
ter of the base string.
@VAL(str[, fmt]): converts the string representation of a number, str, into a numeric
value. If the string has any non-digit characters, the returned value is an NA. You
may provide an optional numeric format string fmt.
@val("1.23415")
@ISEMPTY(str): tests for whether str is a blank string, returning a 1 if str is a null
string, and 0 otherwise.
@isempty("1.23415")
returns a 0, while
@isempty("")
@EQNA(str1, str2): tests for equality of str1 and str2, treating null strings as ordi-
nary blank strings, and not as missing values. Strings which test as equal return a 1,
and 0 otherwise. For example,
@eqna("abc", "abc")
returns a 1, while
@eqna("", "def")
returns a 0.
Strings123
@NEQNA(str1, str2): tests for inequality of str1 and str2, treating null strings as
ordinary blank strings, and not as missing values. Strings which test as not equal
return a 1, and 0 otherwise.
@neqna("abc", "abc")
returns a 0,
@neqna("", "def")
returns a 1.
@DATEVAL(str[, fmt]): converts the string representation of a date, str, into a date
number using the optional format string fmt.
@dateval("12/1/1999", "mm/dd/yyyy")
will return the date number for December 1, 1999 (730088) while
@dateval("12/1/1999", "dd/mm/yyyy")
will return the date number for January 12, 1999 (729765). See Dates beginning
on page 127 for discussion of date numbers and format strings.
@DTOO(str): (Date TO Obs) converts the string representation of a date, str, into an
observation value. Returns the scalar offset from the beginning of the workfile asso-
ciated with the observation given by the date string. The string must be a valid
EViews date.
create d 2/1/90 12/31/95
%date = "1/1/93"
!t = @dtoo(%date)
returns the value !T=762.
Note that @DTOO will generate an error if used in a panel structured workfile.
String Manipulation Functions
The following is a brief summary of the basic functions that take strings as an argument
and return a string.
@LEFT(str, int): returns a string containing the int characters at the left end of the
string str. If there are fewer than int characters, @LEFT will return the entire string.
@left("I did not do it", 5)
returns the string I did.
@RIGHT(str, int): returns a string containing the int characters at the right end of a
string. If there are fewer than int characters, @RIGHT will return the entire string.
@right("I doubt that I did it", 8)
returns the string I did it.
@MID(str1, int1[, int2]): returns the string consisting of the characters starting from
position int1 in the string. By default, @MID returns the remainder of the string, but
you may specify the optional integer int2, indicating the number of characters to be
returned.
@mid("I doubt that I did it", 9, 10)
returns that I did.
@mid("I doubt that I did it", 9)
returns the string that I did it.
@INSERT(str1, str2, int): inserts the string str2 into the base string str1 at the posi-
tion given by the integer int.
@insert("I believe it can be done", "not ", 16)
returns I believe it cannot be done.
@REPLACE(str1, str2, str3[, int]): returns the base string str1, with the replacement
str3 substituted for the target string str2. By default, all occurrences of str2 will be
replaced, but you may provide an optional integer int to specify the number of
occurrences to be replaced.
@replace("Do you think that you can do it?", "you", "I")
returns the string Do I think that I can do it?, while
@replace("Do you think that you can do it?", "you", "I", 1)
returns Do I think that you can do it?.
@LTRIM(str): returns the string str with spaces trimmed from the left.
@ltrim(" I doubt that I did it. ")
returns I doubt that I did it. . Note that the spaces on the right remain.
@RTRIM(str): returns the string str with spaces trimmed from the right.
@rtrim(" I doubt that I did it. ")
returns the string I doubt that I did it.. Note that the spaces on the left remain.
@TRIM(str): returns the string str with spaces trimmed from the both the left and
the right.
@trim(" I doubt that I did it. ")
returns the string I doubt that I did it..
Strings125
@UPPER(str): returns the upper case representation of the string str.
returns the string I DID NOT DO IT.
@LOWER(str): returns the lower case representation of the string str.
@lower("I did not do it")
returns the string i did not do it.
String Conversion Functions
The following functions convert numbers and date numbers into string values:
@STR(num[, fmt]): returns a string representation of the number num. You may
provide an optional numeric format string fmt.
@str(153.4)
returns the string 153.4.
To create a string containing 4 significant digits and leading $ character, use
@str(-15.4435,"g$.4")
The resulting string is -$15.44.
The expression
@str(-15.4435,"f7..2")
converts the numerical value, -15.4435, into a fixed 7 character wide decimal string
with 2 digits after the decimal and comma as decimal point. The resulting string is
-15,44. Note that there is a leading space in front of the - character making the
string 7 characters long.
The expression
@str(-15.4435,"e(..2)")
converts the numerical value, -15.4435, into a string written in scientific notation
with two digits to the right of the decimal point. The decimal point in the value will
be represented using a comma and negative numbers will be enclosed in parenthe-
sis. The resulting string is (1,54e+01). A positive value will not have the parenthe-
sis.
@str(15.4435,"p+.1")
converts the numeric value, 15.4435, into a percentage where the value is multiplied
by 100. Only 1 digit will be included after the decimal and an explicit + will
always be included for positive numbers. The resulting value after rounding is
+1544.4.
@DATESTR(date1[, fmt]): converts the date number date1 to a string representation
using the optional date format string, fmt.
@datestr(730088,"mm/dd/yy")
will return 12/1/99,
@datestr(730088,"DD/mm/yyyy")
will return 01/12/1999, and
@datestr(730088,"Month dd, yyyy")
will return December 1, 1999, and
@datestr(730088,"w")
will produce the string 3, representing the weekday number for December 1, 1999.
See Dates on page 127 for additional details on date numbers and date format strings.
Special Functions that return Strings
EViews provides a special, workfile-based function that uses the structure of the active
workfile page and returns a set of string values representing the date identifiers associated
with the observations.
@STRDATE(fmt): returns the set of workfile row dates as strings, using the date for-
mat string fmt. See Special Date Functions on page 145 for details.
In addition, EViews provides two special functions that return a string representations of
the date associated with a specific observation in the workfile, or with the current time.
@OTOD(int): (Obs TO Date): returns a string representation of the date associated
with a single observation (counting from the start of the workfile). Suppose, for
example, that we have a quarterly workfile ranging from 1950Q1 to 1990Q4. Then
@otod(16)
returns the date associated with the 16th observation in the workfile in string form,
1953Q4.
@STRNOW(fmt): returns a string representation of the current date number (at the
moment the function is evaluated) using the date format string, fmt.
@strnow("DD/mm/yyyy")
returns the date associated with the current time in string form with 2-digit days,
months, and 4-digit years separated by a slash, 24/12/2003.
Dates127
String Function Summary
String Functions
@datestr...............converts a date number into a string (p. 567).
@dateval ..............converts a string into a date number (p. 568).
@dtoo ..................returns observation number corresponding to the date specified by
a string (p. 569).
@eqna..................tests for equality of string values treating empty strings as ordinary
blank values (p. 569).
@insert ................inserts string into another string (p. 570).
@instr ..................finds the starting position of the target string in a string (p. 570).
@isempty .............tests string against empty string (p. 571).
@left ....................returns the leftmost characters string (p. 571).
@len, @length .....finds the length of a string (p. 572).
@lower ................returns the lowercase representation of a string (p. 572).
@ltrim..................returns the string with spaces trimmed from the left end (p. 572).
@mid ...................returns a substring from a string (p. 573).
@neqna................tests for inequality of string values treating empty strings as ordi-
nary blank values (p. 574).
@otod ..................returns a string associated with a the date or observation value
(p. 575).
@replace ..............replaces substring in a string (p. 575).
@right..................returns the rightmost characters of a string (p. 576).
@rtrim.................returns the string with spaces trimmed from the right end (p. 576).
@str .....................returns a string representing the given number (p. 576).
@strdate...............returns string corresponding to each element in workfile (p. 577).
@strlen ................finds the length of a string (p. 577).
@strnow...............returns a string representation of the current date (p. 577).
@trim...................returns the string with spaces trimmed from the both ends
(p. 578).
@upper ................returns the uppercase representation of a string (p. 578).
@val ....................returns the number that a string represents (p. 578).
Dates
There are a variety of places in EViews where you may work with calendar dates. For most
purposes, users need not concern themselves with the intricacies of working with dates.
Simply enter your dates in familiar text notation and EViews will automatically interpret
the string for you.
Those of you who wish to perform more sophisticated operations with dates will, however,
need to understand some basic concepts.
In most settings, you may simply use text representations of dates, or date strings. For
example, an EViews sample can be set to include only observations falling between two
dates specified using date strings such as May 11, 1997, 1/10/1990 or 2001q1. In
these settings, EViews understands that you are describing a date and will interpret the
string accordingly.
Date information may also be provided in the form of a date number. A date number is a
numeric value with special interpretation in EViews as a calendar date. EViews allows you
to convert date strings into date numbers which may be manipulated using a variety of
tools. These tools allow you to perform standard calendar operations such as finding the
number of days or weeks between two dates, the day of the week associated with a given
day, or the day and time 36 hours from now.
The remainder of this section summarizes the use of dates in EViews. There are several
tasks that are central to working with dates:
Translating between date strings and date numbers.
Translating ordinary numbers into date numbers.
Manipulating date numbers using operators and functions.
Extracting information from date numbers.
Before turning to these tasks, we must first provide a bit of background on the characteris-
tics of date strings, date numbers, and a special class of strings called date formats, which
are sometimes employed when translating between the former.
Date Strings
Date strings are simply text representations of dates and/or times. Most of the conven-
tional ways of representing days, weeks, months, years, hours, minutes, etc., as text are
valid date strings.
To be a bit more concrete, the following are valid date strings in EViews:
"December 1, 2001"
"12/1/2001"
"Dec/01/01 12am"
"2001-12-01 00:00"
"2001qIV
Dates129
As you can see, EViews is able to handle a wide variety of representations of your dates
and times. You may use everything from years represented in 1, 2, and 4-digit Arabic form
(1, 01, 99, 1999), to month names and abbreviations (January, jan, Jan), to
quarter designations in Roman numerals (I to IV), to weekday names and abbrevia-
tions (Monday, Mon), to 12 or 24-hour representations of time (11:12 pm, 23:12).
A full list of the recognized date string components is provided in Date Formats on
page 130.
It is worth noting that date string representations may be divided up into those that are
unambiguous and those that are ambiguous. Unambiguous date strings have but a single
interpretation as a date, while ambiguous date strings may be interpreted in multiple ways.
For example, the following dates may reasonably be deemed unambiguous:
"March 3rd, 1950"
"1980Q3"
"9:52PM"
while the following dates are clearly ambiguous:
"2/3/4"
"1980:2"
"02:04"
The first date string is ambiguous because we cannot tell which of the three fields is the
year, which is the month, and which is the day, since different countries of the world
employ different orderings. The second string is ambiguous since we cannot determine the
period frequency within the year. The 2 in the string could, for example, refer to the sec-
ond quarter, month, or even semi-annual in the year. The final string is ambiguous since it
could be an example of a time of day in hour:minute format (2:04 am), or a date in
year:period notation (i.e., the fourth month of the year 2002) or period:year notation
(i.e., the second month of 2004).
In settings where date input is required, EViews will generally accept date string values
without requiring you to provide formatting information. It is here that the importance of
the distinction between ambiguous and unambiguous date strings is seen. If the date string
is unambiguous, the free-format interpretation of the string as a date will produce identical
results in all settings. On the other hand, if the date string is ambiguous, EViews will use
the context in which the date is being used to determine the most likely interpretation of
the string. You may find that ambiguous date strings are neither interpreted consistently,
nor as desired.
These issues, and methods of getting around the problem of ambiguity, are explored in
greater detail in Translating between Date Strings and Date Numbers on page 133.
Date Numbers
Date information is often held in EViews in the form of a date number. A date number is a
double precision number corresponding to an instance in time, with the integer portion
representing a specific day, and the decimal fraction representing time during the day.
The integer portion of a date number represents the number of days in the Gregorian pro-
leptic calendar since Monday, January 1, A.D. 0001 (a proleptic calendar is a calendar
that is applied to dates both before and after the calendar was historically adopted). The
first representable day, January 1, A.D. 1 has an integer value of 0, while the last represent-
able day, December 31, A.D. 9999, has an integer value of 3652058.
The fractional portion of the date number represents a fraction of the day, with resolution
to the millisecond. The fractional values range from 0 (12 midnight) up to (but not includ-
ing) 1 (12 midnight). A value of 0.25, for example, corresponds to one-quarter of the day,
or 6:00 a.m.
It is worth noting that the time of day in an EViews date number is accurate up to a partic-
ular millisecond within the day, although it can always be displayed at a lower precision
(larger unit of time). When date numbers are formatted to lower precisions, they are
always rounded down to the requested precision and never rounded up. Thus, when dis-
playing the week or month associated with a date number, EViews always rounds down to
the beginning of the week or month.
Date Formats
A date format (or date format, for short) is a string made up of text expressions that
describe how components of a date and time may be encoded in a date string. Date for-
mats are used to provide an explicit description of a date string representation, and may be
employed when converting between strings or numbers and date numbers.
Before describing date formats in some detail, we consider a simple example. Suppose that
we wish to use the date string 5/11/1997 to represent the date May 11, 1997. The date
format corresponding to this text representation is
"mm/dd/yyyy"
which indicates that we have, in order, the following components: a one or two-digit
month identifier, a / separator, a one or two-digit day identifier, a / separator, and a 4-
digit year identifier.
Alternatively, we might wish to use the string 1997-May-11 to represent the same date.
The date format for this string is
Dates131
"yyyy-Month-dd"
since we have a four-digit year, followed by the full name of the month (with first letter
capitalized), and the one or two-digit day identifier, all separated by dashes.
Similarly, the ISO 8601 representation for 10 seconds past 1:57 p.m. on this date is 1997-
05-11 13:57:10. The corresponding format is
"yyyy-MM-DD HH:mi:ss"
Here, we have used the capitalized forms of MM, DD, and HH to ensure that we
have the required leading zeros.
Date Format Components
A date format may contain one or more of the following string fragments corresponding to
various date components. In most cases, there are various upper and lowercase forms of
the format component, corresponding either to the presence or absence of leading zeros, or
to the case of the string identifiers.
The following format strings are the basic components of a date format:
Years
Year formats use either two or four digit years, with or without leading zeros. The corre-
sponding date format strings are:
yyyy or YYYY: four digit year without/with leading zeros.
yy or YY: two digit year without/with leading zeros.
year or YEAR: synonym for yyyy and YYYY, respectively.
Semi-Annual
The semi-annual format corresponds to a single digit representing the period in the year:
s or S: one digit half-year (1 or 2).
Quarters
Quarter formats allow for values entered in either standard (Arabic) or Roman numbers:
q or Q: quarter number, always without leading zeros (1 to 4).
qr or QR: quarter in Roman numerals (I to IV).
Months
Month formats may represent two-digit month values with or without leading zeros, three-
letter abbreviations for the month, or the full month name. The text identifiers may be all
lowercase, all uppercase or namecase in which we capitalize the first letter of the month
identifier. The corresponding format strings are given by:
mm or MM: two-digit month without/with leading zeros.
mon, Mon, or MON: three-letter form of month, following the case of the for-
mat string(jan, Feb, MAR).
month, Month, or MONTH: full month name, following the case of the format
string (january, February, MARCH).
Weeks
Week of the year formats may be specified with or without leading zeros:
ww or WW: week of year (with first week starting from Jan 1st) without/with
leading zeros.
Days
Day formats correspond to day of the year, business day of the year, day of the month, or
day of the week, in various numeric and text representations.
ddd or DDD: day of year without/with leading zeros.
bbb or BBB: business day of year without/with leading zeros (only counting
Monday-Friday).
dd or DD: day of month without/with leading zeros.
day or DAY: day of month with suffix, following the case of the format string
(1st, 2nd, 3RD).
w or W: weekday number (1-7) where 1 is Monday.
wdy, Wdy, or WDY: three-letter weekday abbreviation, following the case of
the format string (Mon, Tue, WED).
weekday, Weekday, or WEEKDAY: full weekday name, following the case of
the format string (monday, Tuesday, WEDNESDAY).
Time (Hours/Minutes/Seconds)
The time formats correspond to hours (in 12 or 24 hour format), minutes, seconds, and
fractional sections, with or without leading zeros and with or without the AM/PM indica-
tor where appropriate.
hh or HH: hour in 24-hour format without/with leading zeros.
hm or HM: hour in 12-hour format without/with leading zeros.
Dates133
am or AM: two letter AM/PM indicator for 12-hour format, following the case of
the format string.
a or A: single letter AM/PM indicator for 12-hour format, following the case of
the format string.
mi or MI: minute, always with leading zeros.
ss.s, ss.s, ss.ss, or ss.sss: seconds and tenths, hundreths, and thousandths-
of-a-second, with leading zeros. The capitalized forms of these formats (SS,
SS.S, ...) yield identical results.
Delimiters
You may use text to delimit the date format components:
f or F: use frequency delimiter taken from the active, regular frequency workfile
page. The delimiter corresponds to the letter associated with the current workfile fre-
quency (a, m, q, ..., A, M, Q, ...), following the case of the format
string, or the colon (:), as determined by the Global Options setting (Options/
Dates & Frequency Conversion.../Quarterly/Monthly display).
? : used as wildcard single character for skipping a character formats used on
date number input. Passed through to the output string.
Other alphabetical characters are errors unless they are enclosed in square brackets
e.g. [Q], in which case they are passed through to the output (for example, the
standard-EViews quarterly format is YYYY[Q]Q, where we use a four digit year
identifier, followed by a Q delimiter/identifier, followed by a single digit for the
quarter 1990Q2).
All other characters (e.g., punctuation) are passed through to the input or output
without special interpretation.
Translating between Date Strings and Date Numbers
There are times when it is convenient to work with date strings, and times when it is easier
to work with date numbers.
For example, when we are describing or viewing a specific date, it is easier to use a
human readable date string such as 2002-Mar-20, 3/20/2002, or March 20, 2002
12:23 pm than the date number 730928.515972.
Alternatively, since date strings are merely text representations of dates, working with date
numbers is essential when manipulating calendar dates to find elapsed days, months or
years, or to find a specific date and time 31 days and 36 hours from now.
Accordingly, translating between string representations of dates and date numbers is one
of the more important tasks when working with dates in EViews. These translations occur
in many places in EViews, ranging from the interpretation of date strings in sample pro-
cessing, to the spreadsheet display of series containing date numbers, to the import and
export of data from foreign sources.
In most settings, the translations take place automatically, without user involvement. For
example, when you enter a sample command of the form
smpl 1990q1 2000q4
EViews automatically converts the date strings into a range of date numbers. Similarly,
when you edit a series that contains date numbers, you typically will enter your data in the
form of a date string such as
"2002-Mar-20"
which EViews will automatically translate into a date number.
In other cases, you will specifically request a translation by using the built-in EViews func-
tions @DATESTR (to convert a date number to a string) and @DATEVAL (to convert a date
string to a date number).
For example, the easiest way to identify the date 1,000 days after May 1, 2000 is first to
convert the string value May 1, 2000 into a date number using @DATEVAL, to manipu-
late the date number to find the value 1000 days after the original date, and finally to con-
vert the resulting date number back into a string using @DATESTR. See Formatted
Conversion on page 138 and Manipulating Date Numbers on page 142 for additional
details.
All translations between dates strings and date numbers involve one of two methods:
First, EViews may perform a free-format conversion in which the date format is auto-
matically inferred from the string values, in some cases other contextual informa-
tion.
Second, EViews may perform a formatted conversion in which the string representa-
tion of the dates is provided explicitly via a date format.
For the most part, you should find that free-format conversion is sufficient for most needs.
Nevertheless, you may find that in some cases the automatic handling of dates by EViews
does not produce the desired results. If this occurs, you should either modify any ambigu-
ous date formats, or specify an explicit formatted conversion to generate date numbers as
necessary.
Dates135
Free-format Conversion
EViews will perform free-format conversions between date strings and numbers whenever:
(1) there is an automatic translation between strings and numbers, or (2) when you use
one of the translation functions without an explicit date format.
When converting from strings to numbers, EViews will produce a date number using the
most likely interpretation of the date string. For the most part, you need not concern
yourself with the details of the conversion, but if you require additional detail on specific
topics (e.g., handling of date intervals, the implicit century cutoff for 2-digit years) see
Free-format Conversion Details on page 147.
When converting from date numbers to strings, EViews will use the global default settings
to determine the default date format, and will display all significant information in the date
number.
Converting Unambiguous Date Strings to Numbers
The free-format conversion of unambiguous date strings (see Date Strings on page 128),
to numbers will produce identical results in all settings. The date string:
"March 3rd, 1950"
will be interpreted as the third day of the third month of the year A.D. 1950, and will yield
the date value 711918.0. Note that the date value is the smallest associated with the given
date, corresponding to 12 midnight.
Similarly, the date string:
"1980Q3"
is interpreted as the first instance in the third quarter of 1980. EViews will convert this
string into the date number representing the smallest date value in that quarter, 722996.0
(12 midnight on July 1, 1980).
If we specify a time string without a corresponding day,
"9:52PM"
the day portion of the date is set to 0 (effectively, January 1, A.D. 1), yielding a value of
0.91111111 (see Incomplete Date Numbers on page 148) for details.
Consider also the following unambiguous date string:
"1 May 03"
While this entry may appear to be ambiguous since the 03 may reasonably refer to either
1903 or 2003, EViews resolves the ambiguity by assuming that if the two-digit year is
greater than or equal to 30, the year is assumed to be from the twentieth century, other-
wise the year is assumed to be from the twenty first century (see Two-digit Years on
page 148 for discussion). Consequently free-format conversion of two-digit years will pro-
duce consistent results in all settings.
Converting Ambiguous Date Strings to Numbers
Converting from ambiguous date strings will yield context sensitive results. In cases
involving ambiguity, EViews will determine the most likely translation format by examin-
ing surrounding data or applicable settings for clues as to how the date strings should be
interpreted.
The following contextual information is used in interpreting ambiguous free-form dates:
For implicit period notation (e.g., 1990:3) the current workfile frequency is used to
determine the period.
Choosing between ambiguous mm/dd or dd/mm formats is determined by
examining the values of related date strings (i.e., those in the same series), user-
specified date/time display formats for a series or column of a spreadsheet, or by
examining the EViews global setting for date display, (Options/Dates & Frequency
Conversion.../Month/Day order in dates).
To fix ideas, we consider a few simple examples of the use of contextual information.
If you specify an ambiguous sample string, EViews will use the context in which the sam-
ple is used, the frequency of the workfile, to determine the relevant period. For example,
given the sample statement
smpl 90:1 03:3
and a quarterly workfile, the sample will be set from 1990q1 to 2003q3. If the workfile is
monthly, the sample will be set from January 1990 to March 2003.
Suppose instead that you are editing a series spreadsheet where your date numbers are dis-
played as dates strings using a specified format. In this setting, EViews allows you to enter
your values as date strings, instead of having to enter the underlying date numbers. In this
context, it is natural for EViews to use the current display format as a hint in interpreting
ambiguous data. For example, if the current display format is set to Month dd, YYYY
then an input of 2/3/4 or @DATEVAL("2/3/4") will be interpreted as February the
3rd, 2004. On the other hand, if the current display format is set to YYYY-MM-DD then
the same input will be interpreted as the March the 4th, 2002.
In settings where an entire series is provided to an EViews procedure, EViews is able to use
all of the values in the series to aid in determining the underlying data format. For exam-
ple, when an alpha series is provided as a date identifier for restructuring a workfile,
EViews will first scan all the values of the series in order to decide on the most likely for-
mat of all of the data before converting the string in each element into a date number. If
the first observation of the series is an ambiguous 2/3/4 but a later observation is 3/20/
Dates137
95 then the 2/3/4 will be interpreted as the 3rd of February 2004 since that is the only
order of year, month and day that is consistent with the 3/20/95 observation.
Conversely, when generating new series
values with a GENR or series assignment
statement, EViews processes observation
individually and is therefore unable to
obtain contextual information to aid in
interpreting ambiguous date strings. In
this case, EViews will use the global work-
file setting for the Month/Day order in
dates to determine the ordering of the
days and months in the string.
For example, when the expression
series dnums = @dateval("2/3/4")
is used to generate a series containing date values, EViews will interpret the value as Feb-
ruary 3, 2004, if the global setting is Month/Day/Year, and March 2, 2004, if the global set-
ting is Day/Month/Year.
Converting Date Numbers to Strings
EViews provides the @DATESTR function to translate a date number to a date string. We
describe the function in detail in Formatted Conversion on page 138, but for now, simply
note that @DATESTR takes an optional argument describing the date format to be used
when exporting the string. If the optional argument is not provided, EViews will perform a
free-format conversion.
In performing the free-format conversion, EViews examines two pieces of information.
First, the global default settings for the Month/Day order in dates will be used to deter-
mine the ordering of days and months in the string. Next, EViews examines the date values
to be translated and looks for relevant time-of-day information.
If there is no relevant time-of-day information in the date numbers (e.g., the non-integer
portions are all zero), EViews writes the string corresponding to the date using either the
date format
"dd/mm/yyyy"
or
"mm/dd/yyyy
with preference given to the order favored in the global settings.
If there is relevant time-of-day information, EViews will extend the date format accord-
ingly. Thus, if days are favored in the ordering, and relevant hours (but not minutes and
seconds) information is present, EViews will use
"dd/mm/yyyy hh"
while if hours-minutes are present, the format will be
"dd/mm/yyyy hh:mi"
and so forth.
Formatted Conversion
While the free-format conversions will generally produce the desired results, there may be
times when you wish to gain control over the conversion. EViews will perform a formatted
conversion between date strings and date numbers whenever you use the @DATEVAL or
@DATESTR functions with the optional second argument specifying an explicit date for-
mat.
To convert a date string into a date number using a date format, you should use the
@DATEVAL function with two arguments. The first argument must be a valid date
string, and the second must be the corresponding date format string. If you omit the
optional second argument, EViews will perform a free-format conversion.
@DATEVAL(str[, fmt]): takes the string str and evaluates it to a date number using
the optional date format string, fmt.
A few simple examples will illustrate the wide range of string to date number conversions
that are possible using @DATEVAL and a date format. The simplest format strings involve
the standard month/day/year date descriptions:
will return the date number for December 1, 1999 (730088),
returns the date number for January 12, 1999 (729765). Here we have changed the inter-
pretation of the date string from American to European by reversing the order of the
parts of the format string.
Likewise, we may find the first date value associated with a given period
@dateval("1999", "yyyy")
returns the value 729754.0 corresponding to 12 midnight on January 1, 1999, the first date
value for the year 1999.
Dates139
Conversion of an broad range of date strings is possible by putting together various date
format string components. For example,
@dateval("January 12, 1999", "Month dd, yyyy")
returns the date number for 12 midnight on January 12, 1999 (729765), while
@dateval("99 January 12, 9:37 pm", "yy Month dd, hm:mi am")
yields the value 729765.900694 corresponding to the same date, but at 9:37 in the evening.
In this example, the hm:mi corresponds to hours (in a 12 hour format, with no leading
0s) and minutes, and the am indicates that there is an indicator for am and pm. See
Date Strings on page 128 and Date Formats on page 130 for additional details.
To translate a date number to a date string using a date format, you should use the @DAT-
ESTR function with two arguments. The first argument must be a valid date number, and
the second must be a date format string describing a string representation of the date.
@DATESTR(date_val[, fmt]): converts the date number into a string, using the
optional date format fmt. If a format is not provided, EViews will use a default
method (see Converting Date Numbers to Strings on page 137).
For example,
will produce the string 3, representing the weekday number for December 1, 1999. See
Date Numbers on page 130 and Date Formats on page 130 for additional details.
Translating Ordinary Numbers into Date Numbers
While date information is most commonly held in the form of date strings or date num-
bers, one will occasionally encounter data in which a date is encoded as a (non-EViews
format) numeric value or values. For example, the first quarter of 1991 may be given the
numeric representation of 1991.1, or the date August 15, 2001 may be held in the single
number 8152001, or in three numeric values 8, 15, and 2001.
The @MAKEDATE function is used to translate ordinary numbers into date numbers. It is
similar to @DATEVAL but is designed for cases in which your dates are encoded in one or
more numeric values instead of date strings:
@MAKEDATE(arg1[, arg2[,arg3]], fmt): takes the numeric values given by the argu-
ments arg1, and optionally, arg2, etc. and returns a date number using the required
format string, fmt. Only a subset of all date formats are supported by @MAKEDATE.
If more than one argument is provided, the arguments must be listed from the lowest
frequency to the highest, with the first field representing either the year or the hour.
The simplest form of @MAKEDATE involves converting a single number into a date or a
time. The following are the supported formats for converting a single number into a date
value:
yy or yyyy: two or four-digit years.
yys or yyyys: year*10 + half-year.
yy.s or yyyy.s: year + half-year/10.
yyq or yyyyq: year*10 + quarter.
yy.q or yyyy.q: year + quarter/10.
yymm or yyyymm: year*10 + month.
yy.mm or yyyy.mm: year + month/10.
yyddd or yyyyddd: year*1000 + day in year.
yy.ddd or yyyy.ddd: year + day in year/1000.
yymmdd or yyyymmdd: year*10000 + month*100 + day in month.
mmddyy: month*10000 + day in month*100 + two-digit year.
mmddyyyy: month*100000 + day in month*10000 + four-digit year.
ddmmyy: day in month*10000 + month*100 + two-digit year.
ddmmyyyy: day in month*1000000 + month*10000 + four-digit year.
The following formats are supported when converting a single number into time:
hh: hour in day (in 24 hour units)
hhmi: hour*100 + minute.
hhmiss: hour*10000 + minute*100 + seconds.
Note that the @MAKEDATE format strings are not case sensitive, since the function
requires that all non-leading fields must have leading zeros where appropriate. For exam-
Dates141
ple, when using the format YYYYMMDD, the date March 1, 1992 must be encoded as
19920301, and not 199231, 1992031, or 1992301.
Let us consider some specific examples of @MAKEDATE conversion of a single number.
You may convert a numeric value for the year into a date number using a format string to
describe the year. The expressions:
@makedate(1999, "yyyy")
@makedate(99, "yy")
both return the date number 729754.0 corresponding to 12 midnight on January 1, 1999.
Similarly, you may convert a numeric value into the number of hours in a day using
expressions of the form,
@makedate(12, "hh")
Here, EViews will return the date value 0.5 corresponding to 12 noon on January 1, A.D. 1.
While this particular date value is not intrinsically of interest, it may be combined with
other date values to obtain the value for a specific hour in a particular day. For example
using date arithmetic, we may add the 0.5 to the 729754.0 value (12 midnight, January 1,
1999) obtained above, yielding the date value for 12 noon on January 1, 1999. We consider
these sorts of operations in greater detail in Manipulating Date Numbers on page 142.
If your number contains packed date information, you may interpret the various compo-
nents using @MAKEDATE with an appropriate format string. For example,
@makedate(199003, "yyyymm")
@makedate(1990.3, "yyyy.mm")
@makedate(1031990, "ddmmyyyy")
@makedate(30190, "mmddyy")
all return the value 726526.0, representing March 1, 1990.
Cases where @MAKEDATE is used to convert more than one argument into a date or time
are more limited and slightly more complex. The arguments must be listed from the lowest
frequency to the highest, with the first field representing either the year or the hour, and
the remaining fields representing sub-periods. The valid date format strings for the multi-
ple argument @MAKEDATE are a subset of the date format strings, with components
applied sequentially to the numeric arguments:
yy s or yyyy s: two or four-digit year and half-year.
yy q or yyyy q: year and quarter.
yy mm or yyyy mm: year and month.
yy ddd or yyyy ddd: year and day in year.
yy mm dd or yyyy mm dd: year, month, and day in month.
Similarly, the valid formats for converting multiple numeric values into a time are:
hh mi: hour*100 + minute.
hh mi ss: hour*10000 + minutes*100 + seconds.
For convenience, the non-space-delimited forms of these format strings are also supported
(e.g., yymm, and hhmi).
For example, the expressions,
@makedate(97, 12, 3, "yy mm dd")
@makedate(1997, 12, 3, "yyyymmdd")
will return the value 729360.0 corresponding to midnight on December 3, 1997. You may
provide a subset of this information so that
@makedate(97, 12, "yymm")
returns the value 729358.0 representing the earliest date and time in December of 1997 (12
midnight, December 1, 1997). Likewise,
@makedate(1997, 37, "yyyy ddd")
yields the value 729060.0 (February 6, 1997, the 37th day of the year) and
@makedate(14, 25, 10, "hh mi ss")
returns the value 0.600810185 corresponding to 2:25:10 pm on January 1, A.D. 1.
It is worth pointing out that in the examples above, the numeric arguments are entered
from lowest frequency to high, as required. The following example, in which days appear
before months and years, is not a legal specification
@makedate(7, 10, 98, "dd mm yy")
and will generate an error reporting a Bad date format.
Lastly, we note that limitations on the date formats supported by @MAKEDATE imply that
in some cases, you are better off working with strings and the @DATEVAL function. In
cases, where @MAKEDATE does not support a desired conversion, you should consider
converting your numbers into strings, performing string concatenation, and then using the
richer set of @DATEVAL conversions to obtain the desired date values.
Manipulating Date Numbers
One of the most important reasons for holding your date information in the form of date
numbers is so that you may perform sophisticated calendar operations.
Dates143
Date Operators
Since date values are simply double precision numbers, you may perform standard mathe-
matical operations using these values. While many operations such as division and multi-
plication do not preserve the notion of a date number, you may find addition and
subtraction and relational comparison of date values to be useful tools.
If, for example, you add 7 to a valid date number, you get a value corresponding to the
same time exactly seven days later. Adding 0.25 adds one-quarter of a day (6 hours) to the
current time. Likewise, subtracting 1 gives the previous day, while subtracting 0.5 gives the
date value 12 hours earlier. Taking the difference between two date values yields the num-
ber of days between the two values.
While using the addition and subtraction operators is valid, we strongly encourage you to
use the EViews specialized date functions since they allow you to perform arithmetic at
various frequencies (other than days), while taking account of irregularities in the calendar
(see Functions for Manipulating Dates on page 143).
Similarly, while you may round a date number down to the nearest integer to obtain the
first instance in the day, or you may round down to a given precision to find the first
instance in a month, quarter or year, the built-in functions provide a set of simple, yet
powerful tools for working with dates.
Note further that all of the relational operators are valid for comparing date numbers.
Thus, if two date numbers are equal, the =, >=, and <= relational operators all
return a 1, while the <>, >, and < comparison operators return a 0. If two date
numbers are not equal, <> returns a 1 and = returns a 0. If the first date number is
less than a second date number, the corresponding first date precedes the second in calen-
dar time.
Functions for Manipulating Dates
EViews provides several functions for manipulating dates that take date numbers as input
and return numeric values that are also date numbers. These functions may be used when
you wish to find a new date value associated with a given date number, for example, a
date number 3 months before or 37 weeks after a given date and time.
The functions described below all take a time unit string as an argument. As the name sug-
gests, a time unit string is a character representation for a unit of time, such as a month or
a year. The valid time unit string values are: A or Y (annual), S (semi-annual), Q
(quarters), MM (months), WW (weeks), DD (days), B (business days), HH
(hours), MI (minutes), SS (seconds).
There are three primary functions for manipulating a date number:
@DATEADD(date1, offset[, u]): returns the date number given by date1 offset by off-
set time units as specified by the time unit string u. If no time unit is specified,
EViews will use the workfile regular frequency, if available.
Suppose that the value of date1 is 730088.0 (midnight, December 1, 1999). Then we
can add and subtract 10 days from the date by using the functions
@dateadd(730088.0, 10, "dd")
@dateadd(730088.0, -10, "dd")
which return 730098.0 (December 11, 1999) and (730078.0) (November 21, 1999).
Note that these results could have been obtained by taking the original numeric
value plus or minus 10.
The @DATEADD function allows for date offsets specified in various units of time.
For example, to add 5 weeks to the existing date, simply specify W or WW as
the time unit string, as in
@dateadd(730088.0, 5, "ww")
which returns 730123.0 (January 5, 2000).
@DATEDIFF(date1, date2[, u]): returns the number of time units between date1 and
date2, as specified by the time unit string u. If no time unit is specified, EViews will
use the workfile regular frequency, if available.
Suppose that date1 is 730088.0 (December 1, 1999) and date2 is 729754.0 (January
1, 1999), then,
@datediff(730088.0, 729754.0, "dd")
returns 334 for the number of days between the two dates. Note that this is result is
simply the difference between the two numbers.
The @DATEDIFF function is more powerful in that it allows us to calculate differ-
ences in various units of time. For example, the expressions
@datediff(730088.0, 729754.0, "mm")
@datediff(730088.0, 729754.0, "ww")
return 11 and 47 for the number of months and weeks between the dates.
@DATEFLOOR(date1, u[, step]): finds the first possible date number in the given
time unit, as in the first possible date value in the current quarter, with an optional
step offset.
Suppose that date1 is 730110.5 (12 noon, December 23, 1999). Then the @DATE-
FLOOR values
@datefloor(730110.5, "dd")
@datefloor(730110.5, "mm")
Dates145
yield 730110.0 (midnight, December 23, 1999) and 730088.0 (midnight, December 1,
1999), since those are the first possible date values in the current day and month.
Note that the first value is simply the integer portion of the original date number, but
that the latter required more complex analysis of the calendar.
Likewise, we can find the start of any corresponding period by using different time
units:
@datefloor(730098.5, "q")
@datefloor(730110.5, "y", 1)
returns 730027.0 (midnight, October 1, 1999), and 729754.0 (midnight, January 1,
2000. Notice that since the latter example used an offset value of 1, the result corre-
sponds to the first date value for the year 2000, which is the start of the following
year.
Extracting Information from Date Numbers
Given a date number you may wish to extract numeric values associated with a portion of
the value. For example, you might wish to know the value of the month, the year, or the
day in the year associated with a given date value. EViews provides the @DATEPART func-
tion to allow you to extract the desired information.
@DATEPART(date1, u): returns a numeric part of a date value given by u, where u is
a time unit string.
Consider the date1 date value 730110.5 (noon, December 23, 1999). The @DATEPART val-
ues for
@datepart(730110.5, "dd")
@datepart(730110.5, "w")
@datepart(730110.5, "ww")
@datepart(730110.5, "mm")
@datepart(730110.5, "yy")
are 23 (day of the month), 4 (week in the month), 52 (week in the year), 12 (month in the
year), and 1999 (year), respectively.
Note that the numeric values returned from @DATEPART are not themselves date values,
but may be used with @MAKEDATE to create date values.
Special Date Functions
In addition to the functions that convert strings or numbers into date values, EViews pro-
vides the following special ways to obtain one or more date values of interest.
@NOW: returns the date number associated with the current time.
@DATE: returns the date number corresponding to every observation in the current
workfile.
@YEAR: returns the four digit year in which the current observation begins. It is
equivalent to @DATEPART(@DATE, "YYYY").
@QUARTER: returns the quarter of the year in which the current observartion
begins. It is equivalent to @DATEPART(@DATE, "Q").
@MONTH: returns the month of the year in which the current observation begins. It
is equivalent to @DATEPART(@DATE, "MM").
@DAY: returns the day of the month in which the current observation begins. It is
equivalent to @DATEPART(@DATE, "DD").
@WEEKDAY: returns the day of the week in which the current observation begins,
where Monday is given the number 1 and Sunday is given the number 7. It is equiv-
alent to @DATEPART(@DATE, "W").
mat string fmt. See Date Formats on page 130 for a discussion of date format
strings.
The @DATE function will generally be used to create a series containing the date value
associated with every observation, or as part of a series expression involving date manipu-
lation. For example:
series y = @date
series x = @dateadd(@date, 12, "ww")
which generates a series containing the date values for every observation, and the date val-
ues for every observation 12 weeks from the current values.
@STRDATE should be used when you wish to obtain the date string associated with every
observation in the workfilefor example, to be used as input to an alpha series. It is
equivalent to using the @DATESTR function on the date number associated with every
observation in the workfile.
Free-format Conversion Formats
EViews supports the free-format conversion of a wide variety of date strings in which the
string is analyzed for the most likely corresponding date.
Any of the following date string types are allowed:
Day, month, year
"YYYY-MM-DD" (IEEE, with the date enclosed in double quotes)
Dates147
dd/mm/yy (if American, mm/dd/yy instead)
dd/mm/yyyy (if American, mm/dd/yyyy instead)
yyyy/mm/dd
dd/mon/yy
dd/mon/yyyy
yyyy/mon/dd
ddmmyy (if American, mmddyy)
ddmmyyyy (if American, mmddyyyy)
The resulting date values correspond to the first instance in the day (12 midnight).
Month in year
mon/yy
mon/yyyy
yy/mon
yyyy/mon
The results are rounded to the first instance in the month (12 midnight of the first day of
the month).
Period in year
yyyy[S|Q|M|W|B|D|T|F|:]period
yy[S|Q|M|W|B|D|T|F|:]period
The date value is rounded to the first instance in the period in the year
Whole year
yyyy[A]. The A is generally optional, but required if current WF is undated.
yy[A]. The A is generally optional, but required if current WF is undated.
The date value is rounded to the first instance in the year (12 midnight on January 1).
Free-format Conversion Details
Note that the following conventions may be used in interpreting ambiguous free-form
dates:
Dates and Date Intervals
A date in EViews is generally taken to represent a single point in calendar time. In some
contexts, however, a date specification is used to refer to a range of values contained in a
time, which can be referred to as an interval.
When a date specification is treated as an interval, the precision with which the date is
specified is used to determine the duration of the interval. For example, if a full day speci-
fication is provided, such as Oct 11 1980, then the interval is taken to run from midnight
at the beginning of the day to just before midnight at the end of the day. If only a year is
specified, such as 1963, then the interval is taken to run from midnight on the 1st of Jan-
uary of the year to just before midnight on the 31st of December at the end of the year.
An example where this is used is in setting the sample for a workfile. In this context, pairs
of dates are provided to specify which observations in the workfile should be included in
the sample. The pairs of dates are provided are processed as intervals, and the sample is
defined to run from the start of the first interval to the end of the second interval. As an
example, if the sample 1980q2 1980q2 is specified for a daily file, the sample will include
all observations from April 1st 1980 to June 30th 1980 inclusive.
Incomplete Date Numbers
An EViews date number can be used to represent both a particular calendar day, and a par-
ticular time of day within that day. If no time of day is specified, the time of day is set to
midnight at the beginning of the day.
When no date is specified, the day portion of a date is effectively set to 1st Jan A.D. 1. For
example, the date string 12 p.m. will be translated to the date value 0.5 representing 12
noon on January 1, A.D. 1. While this particular date value is probably not of intrinsic
interest, it may be combined with other information to obtain meaningful values. See
Manipulating Date Numbers on page 142
Two-digit Years
In general, EViews interprets years containing only two digits as belonging to either the
twentieth or twenty-first centuries, depending on the value of the year. If the two digit year
is greater than or equal to 30, the year is assumed to be from the twentieth century and a
century prefix of 19 is added to form a four digit year. If the number is less than 30, the
year is assumed to be from the twenty first century and a century prefix of 20 is added to
form a four digit year.
Note that if you wish to refer to a year after 2029 or a year before 1930, you must use the
full four-digit year identifier.
Because this conversion to four digit years is generally performed automatically, it is not
possible to specify years less than A.D. 100 using two digit notation. Should the need ever
Dates149
arise to represent these dates, such two digit years can be input directly by specifying the
year as a four digit year with leading zeros. For example, the 3rd of April in the year A.D.
23 can be input as April 3rd 0023.
Implicit Period Notation
In implicit period notation (e.g., 1990:3), the current workfile frequency is used to deter-
mine the period.
American vs. European dates
When performing a free-format conversion in the absence of contextual information suffi-
cient to identify whether data are provided in mm/dd or dd/mm format, the global
workfile setting for the Options/Dates & Frequency Conversion.../Month/Day order in
dates (Dates & Frequency Conversion on page 915) will be used to determine the order-
ing of the days and months in the string.
For example, the order of the months and years is ambiguous in the date pair:
1/3/91 7/5/95
so EViews will use the default date settings to determine the desired ordering. We caution
you, however, that using default settings to define the interpretation of date strings is not a
good idea since a given date string may be interpreted in different ways at different times if
your settings change. You may instead use the IEEE standard format, YYYY-MM-DD to
ensure consistent interpretation of your daily date strings. The presence of a dash in the
format means that you must enclose the date in quotes for EViews to accept this format.
For example:
smpl "1991-01-03" "1995-07-05"
will always set the sample to run from January 3, 1991 and July 5, 1995.
Time of Day
Free-format dates can also contain optional trailing time of day information which must
follow the pattern:
hh[[[[[:mi:]ss].s]s]s][am|AM|pm|PM]
where [] encloses optional portions or the format and | indicates one of a number of
possibilities. In addition, either the am or pm field or an explicit minute field must be
provided for the input to be recognized as a time. An hour by itself is generally not suffi-
cient.
The time of day in an EViews date is accurate up to a particular millisecond within the day,
although any date can always be displayed at a lower precision. When displaying times at
a lower precision, the displayed times are always rounded down to the requested precision,
and never rounded up.
When both a day and a time of day are specified as part of a date, the two can generally be
provided one after the other with the two fields separated by one or more spaces. If, how-
ever, the date is being used in a context where EViews does not permit spaces between
input fields, a single letter t can also be used to separate the day and time so that the
entire date can be contained in a single word, e.g. 1990-Jan-03T09:53.
Date Function Summary
Date Functions
@dateadd ............ add to a date (p. 565).
@datediff ............. computes difference between dates (p. 566).
@datefloor........... rounds date down to start of period(p. 566).
@datepart ............ extracts part of date (p. 567).
@datestr .............. converts a date number into a string (p. 567).
@dateval ............. converts a string into a date number (p. 568).
@dtoo.................. returns observation number corresponding to the date specified by
a string (p. 569).
@makedate.......... converts numeric values into a date number (p. 573).
@now.................. returns the date number associated with the current time (p. 574).
@otod.................. returns a string associated with a the date or observation value
(p. 575).
@strdate .............. returns string corresponding to each element in workfile (p. 577).
@strnow.............. returns a string representation of the current date (p. 577).
Appendix A. Object, View and Procedure Reference
The following is a reference guide to the views, procedures, and data members for
each of the objects found in EViews:
To use these views, procedures, and data members, you should list the name of the
object followed by a period, and then enter the name of the view, procedure, or data
member, along with any options or arguments:
object_name.view_name(options) arguments
object_name.proc_name(options) arguments
object_name.data_member
For example, to display the line graph view of the series object CONS, you can enter
the command:
cons.line
To perform a dynamic forecast using the estimates in the equation object EQ1, you
may enter:
eq1.forecast y_f
To save the coefficient covariance matrix from EQ1, you can enter:
sym cov1=eq1.@coefcov
Each of the views and procedures is documented more fully in the alphabetical listing
found in Appendix B, Command Reference, on page 193.
Alpha (p. 153) Model (p. 168) Sym (p. 180)
Coef (p. 153) Pool (p. 169) System (p. 182)
Equation (p. 155) Rowvector (p. 172) Table (p. 185)
Graph (p. 159) Sample (p. 173) Text (p. 186)
Group (p. 161) Scalar (p. 174) Valmap (p. 187)
Logl (p. 164) Series (p. 175) Var (p. 187)
Matrix (p. 166) Sspace (p. 177) Vector (p. 190)
152Appendix A. Object, View and Procedure Reference
Alpha
Alpha (alphanumeric) series. An EViews alpha series contains a set of observations on a
variable containing string values.
Alpha Declaration
alpha ................... declare alpha series (p. 201).
frml ..................... create alpha series object with a formula for auto-updating
(p. 293).
genr..................... create alpha or numeric series object (p. 295).
To declare an alpha series, use the keyword alpha, followed by a name, and optionally, by
an = sign and a valid series expression:
alpha y
alpha x = "initial strings"
If there is no assignment, the series will be initialized to contain blank values, .
Alpha Views
freq...................... one-way tabulation (p. 291).
label .................... label information for the alpha (p. 317).
sheet.................... spreadsheet view of the alpha (p. 444).
Alpha Procs
displayname......... set display name (p. 266).
map..................... assign or remove value map setting (p. 349).
setformat ............. set the display format for the alpha series spreadsheet (p. 432).
setindent.............. set the indentation for the alpha series spreadsheet (p. 437).
setjust .................. set the justification for the alpha series spreadsheet (p. 438).
setwidth............... set the column width for alpha series spreadsheet (p. 444).
Alpha Data Members
(i)........................ i-th element of the alpha series from the beginning of the workfile
(when used on the left-hand side of an assignment, or when the
element appears in a table or string variable assignment).
Alpha Element Functions
@elem(ser, j) ....... function to access the j-th observation of the alpha series, where j
identifies the date or observation.
Alpha Examples
alpha val = "initial string"
Coef153
initializes an alpha series VAL using a string literal.
If FIRST is an alpha series containing first names, and LAST is an alpha containing last
names, then:
alpha name = first + " " + last
creates an alpha series containing the full names.
Coef
Coefficient vector. Coefficients are used to represent the parameters of equations and sys-
tems.
Coef Declaration
coef ......................declare coefficient vector (p. 238).
There are two ways to create a coef. First, enter the coef keyword, followed by a name to
be given to the coefficient vector. The dimension of the coef may be provided in parenthe-
ses after the keyword:
coef alpha
coef(10) beta
If no dimension is provided, the resulting coef will contain a single element.
You may also combine a declaration with an assignment statement. If you do not provide
an explicit assignment statement, new coefs are initialized to zero.
See also param (p. 383) for information on initializing coefficients, and the entries for
each of the estimation objects (equation, pool, sspace, system, and var) for additional
methods of accessing coefficients.
Coef Views
area ......................area graph of the coefficient vector (p. 207).
bar .......................bar graph of coefficient vector plotted against the coefficient index
(p. 215).
label .....................label view (p. 317).
line.......................line graph of coefficient vector plotted against the coefficient index
(p. 320).
sheet ....................spreadsheet view of the coefficient (p. 444).
spike ....................spike graph (p. 455).
Coef Procs
fill ....................... fill the elements of the coefficient vector (p. 282).
read ..................... import data into coefficient vector (p. 391).
setformat ............. set the display format for the coefficient vector spreadsheet
(p. 432).
setindent.............. set the indentation for the coefficient spreadsheet (p. 437).
setjust .................. set the justification for the coefficient spreadsheet (p. 438).
setwidth............... set the column width for the coefficient spreadsheet (p. 444).
write.................... export data from coefficient vector (p. 517).
Coef Data Members
(i)........................ i-th element of the coefficient vector. Simply append (i) to the
matrix name (without a .).
Coef Examples
The coefficient vector declaration:
coef(10) coef1=3
creates a 10 element coefficient vector COEF1, and initializes all values to 3.
Suppose MAT1 is a matrix, and VEC1 is a 20 element vector. Then:
coef mycoef1=coef1
coef mycoef2=mat1
coef mycoef3=vec1
create, size, and initialize the coefficient vectors MYCOEF1, MYCOEF2 and MYCOEF3.
Coefficient elements may be referred to by an explicit index. For example:
vector(10) mm=beta(10)
scalar shape=beta(7)
fills the vector MM with the value of the tenth element of BETA, and assigns the seventh
value of BETA to the scalar SHAPE.
10 1
Equation155
Equation
Equation object. Equations are used for single equation estimation, testing, and forecast-
ing.
Equation Declaration
equation ...............declare equation object (p. 275).
To declare an equation object, enter the keyword equation, followed by a name:
equation eq01
and an optional specification:
equation r4cst.ls r c r(-1) div
equation wcd.ls q=c(1)*n^c(2)*k^c(3)
Equation Methods
arch......................autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (ARCH and GARCH)
(p. 203).
binary...................binary dependent variable models (includes probit, logit, gompit)
models (p. 217).
censored...............censored and truncated regression (includes tobit) models
(p. 233).
count ....................count data modeling (includes poisson, negative binomial and
quasi-maximum likelihood count models) (p. 248).
gmm.....................generalized method of moments (p. 297).
logit......................logit (binary) estimation (p. 328).
ls..........................linear and nonlinear least squares regression (includes weighted
least squares and ARMAX) models (p. 329).
ordered.................ordinal dependent variable models (includes ordered probit,
ordered logit, and ordered extreme value models) (p. 360).
probit ...................probit (binary) estimation (p. 388).
tsls .......................linear and nonlinear two-stage least squares (TSLS) regression
models (includes weighted TSLS, and TSLS with ARMA errors)
(p. 487).
Equation Views
archtest.................LM test for the presence of ARCH in the residuals (p. 206).
arma.....................Examine ARMA structure of estimated equation (p. 210).
auto......................Breusch-Godfrey serial correlation Lagrange Multiplier (LM) test
(p. 212).
cellipse ................ Confidence ellipses for coefficient restrictions (p. 231).
chow ................... Chow breakpoint and forecast tests for structural change (p. 236).
coefcov ................ coefficient covariance matrix (p. 239).
correl ................... correlogram of the residuals (p. 246).
correlsq................ correlogram of the squared residuals (p. 247).
derivs .................. derivatives of the equation specification (p. 264).
garch ................... conditional standard deviation graph (only for equations estimated
using ARCH) (p. 295).
grads ................... examine the gradients of the objective function (p. 302).
hist ...................... histogram and descriptive statistics of the residuals (p. 308).
label .................... label information for the equation (p. 317).
means.................. descriptive statistics by category of the dependent variable (only
for binary, ordered, censored and count equations) (p. 350).
output.................. table of estimation results (p. 361).
predict ................. prediction (fit) evaluation table (only for binary and ordered equa-
tions) (p. 387).
representations..... text showing specification of the equation (p. 395).
reset .................... Ramseys RESET test for functional form (p. 397).
resids................... display, in tabular form, the actual and fitted values for the depen-
dent variable, along with the residuals (p. 399).
results.................. table of estimation results (p. 400).
rls........................ recursive residuals least squares (only for non-panel equations
estimated by ordinary least squares, without ARMA terms)
(p. 400).
testadd................. likelihood ratio test for adding variables to equation (p. 474).
testdrop ............... likelihood ratio test for dropping variables from equation (p. 477).
testfit ................... performs Hosmer and Lemeshow and Andrews goodness-of-fit
tests (only for equations estimated using binary) (p. 479).
wald .................... Wald test for coefficient restrictions (p. 502).
white ................... White test for heteroskedasticity (p. 514).
Equation Procs
fit ........................ static forecast (p. 285).
forecast ................ dynamic forecast (p. 287).
makederivs .......... make group containing derivatives of the equation specification
(p. 335).
Equation157
makegarch............create conditional variance series (only for ARCH equations)
(p. 336).
makegrads ............make group containing gradients of the objective function
(p. 337).
makelimits............create vector of estimated limit points (only for ordered models)
(p. 341).
makemodel ...........create model from estimated equation (p. 341).
makeregs ..............make group containing the regressors (p. 342).
makeresids ...........make series containing residuals from equation (p. 342).
updatecoefs...........update coefficient vector(s) from equation (p. 493).
Equation Data Members
Scalar Values
@aic.....................Akaike information criterion.
@coefcov(i,j) .......covariance of coefficient estimates i and j.
@coefs(i)..............i-th coefficient value.
@dw....................Durbin-Watson statistic.
@f ........................F-statistic.
@hq .....................Hannan-Quinn information criterion.
@jstat...................J-statistic value of the GMM objective function (for GMM).
@logl ...................value of the log likelihood function.
@meandep ...........mean of the dependent variable.
@ncoef.................number of estimated coefficients.
@r2......................R-squared statistic.
@rbar2.................adjusted R-squared statistic.
@regobs ...............number of observations in regression.
@schwarz ...........Schwarz information criterion.
@sddep ................standard deviation of the dependent variable.
@se......................standard error of the regression.
@ssr.....................sum of squared residuals.
@stderrs(i) ...........standard error for coefficient i.
@tstats(i) .............t-statistic value for coefficient i.
c(i) .......................i-th element of default coefficient vector for equation (if applica-
ble).
Vectors and Matrices
@coefcov..............covariance matrix for coefficient estimates.
@coefs................. coefficient vector.
@stderrs .............. vector of standard errors for coefficients.
@tstats ................ vector of t-statistic values for coefficients.
Equation Examples
To apply an estimation method (proc) to an existing equation object:
equation ifunc
ifunc.ls r c r(-1) div
To declare and estimate an equation in one step, combine the two commands:
equation value.tsls log(p) c d(x) @ x(-1) x(-2)
equation drive.logit ifdr c owncar dist income
equation countmod.count patents c rdd
To estimate equations by list, using ordinary and two-stage least squares:
equation ordinary.ls log(p) c d(x)
equation twostage.tsls log(p) c d(x) @ x(-1) x(-2)
You can create and use other coefficient vectors:
coef(10) a
coef(10) b
equation eq01.ls y=c(10)+b(5)*y(-1)+a(7)*inc
The fitted values from EQ01 may be saved using,
series fit = eq01.@coefs(1) + eq01.@coefs(2)*y(-1) +
eq01.@coefs(3)*inc
or by issuing the command:
eq01.fit fitted_vals
To perform a Wald test:
eq01.wald a(7)=exp(b(5))
You can save the t-statistics and covariance matrix for your parameter estimates:
vector eqstats=eq01.@tstats
matrix eqcov=eq01.@coefcov
Graph159
Graph
Graph object. Specialized object used to hold graphical output.
Graph Declaration
freeze ...................freeze graphical view of object (p. 290).
graph....................create graph object using graph command or by merging existing
graphs (p. 303).
Graphs may be created by declaring a graph using one of the graph commands described
below, or by freezing the graphical view of an object. For example:
graph myline.line ser1
graph myscat.scat ser1 ser2
graph myxy.xyline grp1
declare and create the graph objects MYLINE, MYSCAT and MYXY. Alternatively, you can
use the freeze command to create graph objects:
freeze(myline) ser1.line
group grp2 ser1 ser2
freeze(myscat) grp2.scat
freeze(myxy) grp1.xyline
which are equivalent to the declarations above.
Graph Type Commands
area ......................area graph (p. 207).
bar .......................bar graph (p. 215).
errbar ...................error bar graph (p. 276).
hilo ......................high-low(-open-close) graph (p. 307).
line.......................line-symbol graph (p. 320).
pie........................pie chart (p. 384).
scat ......................scatterplot (p. 412).
xy.........................XY graph with one or more X plotted against one or more Y
(p. 528).
xyline ...................XY line graph (p. 530).
xypair...................XY pairs graph (p. 528).
Graph View
label .....................label information for the graph (p. 317).
Graph Procs
addtext................. place arbitrary text on the graph (p. 199).
align.................... align the placement of multiple graphs (p. 200).
axis...................... sets axis display characteristics for the graph (p. 213).
bplabel................. specify labeling of bottom-axis in boxplots (p. 226).
datelabel .............. controls labeling of the bottom date/time axis in time plots
(p. 252).
dates.................... controls labeling of the bottom date/time axis in time plots
(p. 254).
draw.................... draw lines and shaded areas on the graph (p. 267).
legend.................. control the appearance and placement of legends (p. 319).
merge .................. merge graph objects (p. 351).
metafile ............... save graph to a Windows metafile (p. 352).
name ................... change the series name for legends or axis labels (p. 354).
options ................ change the option settings of the graph (p. 358).
save ..................... save graph to a Windows metafile or PostScript file (p. 407).
scale .................... set the axis scaling for the graph (p. 410).
setbpelem ............ set options for element of a boxplot graph (p. 421).
setelem................ set individual line, bar and legend options for each series in the
graph (p. 426).
template............... use template graph (p. 473).
Graph Examples
You can declare your graph:
graph abc.xyline(m) unemp gnp inf
graph bargraph.bar(d,l)unemp gnp
Alternately, you may freeze any graphical view:
freeze(mykernel) ser1.kdensity
You can change the graph type,
graph mygraph.line ser1
mygraph.hist
or combine multiple graphs:
Group161
graph xyz.merge graph1 graph2
Group
Group of series. Groups are used for working with collections of series objects (series,
alphas, links).
Group Declaration
group....................create a group object (p. 304).
To declare a group, enter the keyword group, followed by a name, and optionally, a list of
series or expressions:
group salesvrs
group nipa cons(-1) log(inv) g x
Additionally, a number of object procedures will automatically create a group.
Group Views
area ......................area graph of the series in the group (p. 207).
bar .......................single or multiple bar graph view of all series (p. 215).
boxplot .................boxplot of each series in the group (p. 219).
cause ....................pairwise Granger causality tests (p. 228).
cdfplot ..................distribution (cumulative, survivor, quantile) graphs (p. 230).
coint .....................Johansen cointegration test (p. 240).
cor........................correlation matrix between series (p. 246).
correl....................correlogram of the first series in the group (p. 246).
cov .......................covariance matrix between series (p. 250).
cross.....................cross correlogram of the first two series (p. 251).
dtable ...................dated data table (p. 270).
errbar ...................error bar graph view (p. 276).
freq ......................frequency table -way contingency table (p. 291).
hilo ......................high-low(-open-close) chart (p. 307).
kerfit ....................scatter of the first series against the second series with kernel fit
(p. 316).
label .....................label information for the group (p. 317).
line.......................single or multiple line graph view of all series (p. 320).
linefit ...................scatter of the first series against the second series with regression
line (p. 322).
nnfit .....................scatter of the first series against the second series with nearest
neighbor fit (p. 355).
n
pie ....................... pie chart view (p. 384).
pcomp ................. principal components analysis (p. 383).
qqplot .................. quantile-quantile plots (p. 389).
scat...................... single scatter diagram of the series in the group (p. 412).
scatmat ................ matrix of all pairwise scatter plots (p. 414).
sheet.................... spreadsheet view of the series in the group (p. 444).
spike.................... spike graph (p. 455).
stats..................... descriptive statistics (p. 462).
testbtw................. tests of equality for mean, median, or variance, between series in
group (p. 475).
uroot.................... unit root test on the series in the group (p. 494).
xy........................ XY graph with one or more X series plotted against one or more Y
(p. 528).
xyline .................. XY line graph (p. 530).
xypair .................. XY pairs graph (p. 528).
Group Procs
add...................... add one or more series to the group (p. 196).
drop..................... drop one or more series from the group (p. 270).
resample .............. resample from rows of group (p. 395).
setformat ............. set the display format in the group spreadsheet for the specified
series (p. 432).
setindent.............. set the indentation in the group spreadsheet for the specified series
(p. 437).
setjust .................. set the justification in the group spreadsheet for the specified
series (p. 438).
setwidth............... set the column width in the group spreadsheet for the specified
series (p. 444).
Group Data Members
(i)........................ i-th series in the group. Simply append (i) to the group name
(without a .).
@comobs............. number of observations in the current sample for which each
series in the group has a non-missing value (observations in the
common sample).
@count................ number of series in the group.
Link163
@minobs..............number of non-missing observations in the current sample for the
shortest series in the group.
@maxobs .............number of non-missing observations in the current sample for the
the longest series in the group.
@seriesname(i) ....string containing the name of the i-th series in the group.
Group Examples
To create a group G1, you may enter:
group g1 gdp income
To change the contents of an existing group, you can repeat the declaration, or use the add
and drop commands:
group g1 x y
g1.add w z
g1.drop y
The following commands produce a cross-tabulation of the series in the group, display the
covariance matrix, and test for equality of variance:
g1.freq
g1.cov
g1.testbtw(var,c)
You can index selected series in the group:
show g1(2).line
series sum=g1(1)+g1(2)
To create a scalar containing the number of series in the group, use the command:
scalar nsers=g1.@count
Link
Link object. Series or alpha link used to frequency converted or match merge data from
another workfile page.
Once created, links may be used just like Series (p. 175) or Alpha (p. 152) objects.
Link Declaration
link ......................link object declaration (p. 323).
To declare a link object, enter the keyword link, followed by a name:
link newser
and an optional link specification:
link altser.linkto(c=obs,nacat) indiv::x @src ind1 ind2 @dest
ind1 ind2
Link Procs
linkto................... specify link object definition (p. 324).
Logl
Likelihood object. Used for performing maximum likelihood estimation of user-specified
likelihood functions.
Logl Declaration
logl ...................... likelihood object declaration (p. 328).
To declare a logl object, use the logl keyword, followed by a name to be given to the
object.
Logl Method
ml........................ maximum likelihood estimation (p. 352).
Logl Views
append................. add line to the specification (p. 202).
checkderivs.......... compare user supplied and numeric derivatives (p. 235).
grads ................... examine the gradients of the log likelihood (p. 302).
label .................... label view of likelihood object (p. 317).
results.................. estimation results (p. 400).
spec ..................... likelihood specification (p. 454).
wald .................... Wald coefficient restriction test (p. 502).
Logl Procs
makegrads ........... make group containing gradients of the log likelihood (p. 337).
makemodel .......... make model (p. 341).
updatecoefs.......... update coefficient vector(s) from likelihood (p. 493).
Logl165
Logl Statements
The following statements can be included in the specification of the likelihood object.
These statements are optional, except for @logl which is required. See Chapter 22, The
Log Likelihood (LogL) Object, on page 655 of the Users Guide for further discussion.
@byeqn................evaluate specification by equation.
@byobs ................evaluate specification by observation (default).
@deriv .................specify an analytic derivative series.
@derivstep ...........set parameters to control step size.
@logl ...................specify the likelihood contribution series.
@param ...............set starting values.
@temp .................remove temporary working series.
Logl Data Members
Scalar Values (system data)
@coefcov(i,j) ........covariance of coefficients i and j.
@coefs(i)..............coefficient i.
@hq ....................Hannan-Quinn information criterion.
@logl ..................value of the log likelihood function.
@ncoefs ...............number of estimated coefficients.
@regobs ...............number of observations used in estimation.
@sc .....................Schwarz information criterion.
@tstats(i) ............t-statistic value for coefficient i.
coef_name(i) ........i-th element of default coefficient vector for likelihood.
@coefcov..............covariance matrix of estimated parameters.
@coefs .................coefficient vector.
@stderrs...............vector of standard errors for coefficients.
@tstats .................vector of t-statistic values for coefficients.
Logl Examples
To declare a likelihood named LL1:
logl ll1
To define a likelihood function for OLS (not a recommended way to do OLS!):
ll1.append @logl logl1
ll1.append res1 = y-c(1)-c(2)*x
ll1.append logl1 = log(@dnorm(res1/@sqrt(c(3))))-log(c(3))/2
To estimate LL1 by maximum likelihood (the showstart option displays the starting val-
ues):
ll1.ml(showstart)
To save the estimated covariance matrix of the parameters from LL1 as a named matrix
COV1:
matrix cov1=ll1.@coefcov
Matrix
Matrix (two-dimensional array).
Matrix Declaration
matrix.................. declare matrix object (p. 350).
There are several ways to create a matrix object. You can enter the matrix keyword (with
an optional row and column dimension) followed by a name:
matrix scalarmat
matrix(10,3) results
Alternatively, you can combine a declaration with an assignment statement, in which case
the new matrix will be sized accordingly.
Lastly, a number of object procedures create matrices.
Matrix Views
area ..................... area graph of the columns in the matrix (p. 207).
bar....................... single or multiple bar graph of each column against the row index
(p. 215).
cor....................... correlation matrix by columns (p. 246).
cov ...................... covariance matrix by columns (p. 250).
errbar .................. error bar graph view (p. 276).
hilo...................... high-low(-open-close) chart (p. 307).
label .................... label information for the matrix (p. 317).
line...................... single or multiple line graph of each column by the row index
(p. 320).
pie ....................... pie chart view (p. 384).
scat...................... scatter diagrams of the columns of the matrix (p. 412).
Matrix167
sheet ....................spreadsheet view of the matrix (p. 444).
stats......................descriptive statistics by column (p. 462).
xy.........................XY graph with one or more X columns plotted against one or more
Y (p. 528).
Matrix Procs
displayname .........set display name (p. 266).
fill ........................fill the elements of the matrix (p. 282).
read......................import data from disk (p. 391).
setformat ..............set the display format for the matrix spreadsheet (p. 432).
setindent...............set the indentation for the matrix spreadsheet (p. 437).
setjust...................set the justification for the matrix spreadsheet (p. 438).
setwidth ...............set the column width in the matrix spreadsheet(p. 444).
write ....................export data to disk (p. 517).
Matrix Data Members
(i,j) ......................(i,j)-th element of the matrix. Simply append (i, j) to the matrix
name (without a .).
Matrix Examples
The following assignment statements create and initialize matrix objects,
matrix copymat=results
matrix covmat1=eq1.@coefcov
matrix(5,2) count
count.fill 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10
as does the equation procedure:
eq1.makecoefcov covmat2
You can declare and initialize a matrix in one command:
matrix(10,30) results=3
matrix(5,5) other=results1
Graphs and covariances may be generated for the columns of the matrix,
copymat.line
copymat.cov
and statistics computed for the rows of a matrix:
matrix rowmat=@transpose(copymat)
rowmat.stats
You can use explicit indices to refer to matrix elements:
scalar diagsum=cov1(1,1)+cov1(2,2)+cov(3,3)
Model
Set of simultaneous equations used for forecasting and simulation.
Model Declaration
model .................. declare model object (p. 353).
Declare an object by entering the keyword model, followed by a name:
model mymod
declares an empty model named MYMOD. To fill MYMOD, open the model and edit the
specification view, or use the append view. Note that models are not used for estimation
of unknown parameters.
See also the section on model keywords in Text View on page 783 of the Users Guide.
Model Views
block ................... display model block structure (p. 219).
eqs....................... view of model organized by equation (p. 275).
label .................... view or set label information for the model (p. 317).
msg ..................... display model solution messages (p. 354).
text ...................... show text showing equations in the model (p. 482).
trace .................... view of trace output from model solution (p. 484).
vars ..................... view of model organized by variable (p. 501).
Model Procs
addassign............. assign add factors to equations (p. 196).
addinit ................. initialize add factors (p. 197).
append................. append a line of text to a model (p. 202).
control ................. solve for values of control variable so that target matches trajec-
tory (p. 243).
exclude ................ specifies (or merges) excluded series to the active scenario
(p. 278).
Pool169
makegraph............make graph object showing model series (p. 338).
makegroup ...........make group out of model series and display dated data table
(p. 339).
merge ...................merge objects into the model (p. 351).
override ................specifies (or merges) override series to the active scenario
(p. 363).
scenario................set the active, alternate, or comparison scenario (p. 415).
solve.....................solve the model (p. 451).
solveopt ................set solve options for model (p. 452).
spec......................display the text specification view (p. 454).
unlink ..................break links in specification (p. 491).
update ..................update model specification (p. 492).
Model Examples
The commands:
model mod1
mod1.append y=324.35+x
mod1.append x=-234+7.3*z
mod1.solve(m=100,c=.008)
create, specify, and solve the model MOD1.
The command:
mod1(g).makegraph gr1 x y z
plots the endogenous series X, Y, and Z, in the active scenario for model MOD1.
Pool
Pooled time series, cross-section object. Used when working with data with both time
series and cross-section structure.
Pool Declaration
pool......................declare pool object (p. 386).
To declare a pool object, use the pool keyword, followed by a pool name, and optionally,
a list of pool members. Pool members are short text identifiers for the cross section units:
pool mypool
pool g7 _can _fr _ger _ita _jpn _us _uk
Pool Methods
ls ......................... estimate linear regression models including cross-section weighted
least squares, and fixed and random effects models (p. 329).
tsls....................... linear two-stage least squares (TSLS) regression models (p. 487).
Pool Views
describe ............... calculate pool descriptive statistics (p. 265).
label .................... label information for the pool object (p. 317).
representations..... text showing equations in the model (p. 395).
residcor................ residual correlation matrix (p. 398).
residcov ............... residual covariance matrix (p. 398).
resids................... table or graph of residuals for each pool member (p. 399).
sheet.................... spreadsheet view of series in pool (p. 444).
uroot.................... unit root test on a pool series (p. 494).
Pool Procs
add...................... add cross section members to pool (p. 196).
define .................. define cross section identifiers (p. 262).
delete................... delete pool series (p. 263).
drop..................... drop cross section members from pool (p. 270).
fetch .................... fetch series into workfile using a pool (p. 279).
genr..................... generate pool series using the ? (p. 295).
makegroup........... create a group of series from a pool (p. 339).
makemodel .......... creates a model object from the estimated pool (p. 341).
makeresids........... make series containing residuals from pool (p. 342).
makestats............. make descriptive statistic series (p. 347).
makesystem......... creates a system object from the pool for other estimation methods
(p. 348).
read ..................... import pool data from disk (p. 391).
store .................... store pool series in database/bank files (p. 465).
updatecoefs.......... update coefficient vector from pool (p. 493).
Pool171
write ....................export pool data to disk (p. 517).
Pool Data Members
String Values
@idname(i) ..........i-th cross-section identifier.
Scalar Values
@coefcov(i,j) .......covariance of coefficients i and j.
@dw....................Durbin-Watson statistic.
@effects(i)............estimated fixed or random effect for the i-th cross-section member
(only for fixed or random effects).
@f ........................F-statistic.
@logl ...................log likelihood.
@meandep ...........mean of the dependent variable.
@ncoef.................total number of estimated coefficients.
@ncross ...............total number of cross sectional units.
@ncrossest ...........number of cross sectional units in last estimated pool equation.
@r2......................R-squared statistic.
@rbar2.................adjusted R-squared statistic.
@regobs ...............total number of observations in regression.
@schwarz ............Schwarz information criterion.
@sddep ................standard deviation of the dependent variable.
@se......................standard error of the regression.
@ssr.....................sum of squared residuals.
@totalobs ............. total number of observations in the pool. For a balanced sample
this is @regobs*@ncrossest.
@tstats(i) .............t-statistic value for coefficient i.
c(i) .......................i-th element of default coefficient vector for the pool.
@coefcov..............covariance matrix for coefficients of equation.
@effects ...............vector of estimated fixed or random effects (only for fixed or ran-
dom effects estimation).
Pool Examples
To read data using the pool object:
mypool1.read(b2) data.xls x? y? z?
To delete and store pool series you may enter:
mypool1.delete x? y?
mypool1.store z?
Descriptive statistics may be computed using the command:
mypool1.describe(m) z?
To estimate a pool equation using least squares and to access the t-statistics, enter:
mypool1.ls y? c z? @ w?
vector tstat1 = mypool1.@tstats
Rowvector
Row vector. (One dimensional array of numbers).
Rowvector Declaration
rowvector............. declare rowvector object (p. 404).
There are several ways to create a rowvector object. First, you can enter the rowvector
keyword (with an optional dimension) followed by a name:
rowvector scalarmat
rowvector(10) results
The resulting rowvector will be initialized with zeros.
Alternatively, you may combine a declaration with an assignment statement. The new vec-
tor will be sized and initialized accordingly:
rowvector(10) y=3
rowvector z=results
Rowvector Views
area ..................... area graph of the vector (p. 207).
bar....................... bar graph of each column (element) of the data against the row
index (p. 215).
errbar .................. error bar graph view (p. 276).
Sample173
label .....................label information for the rowvector (p. 317).
line.......................line graph of each column (element) of the data against the row
index (p. 320).
scat ......................scatter diagrams of the columns of the rowvector (p. 412).
sheet ....................spreadsheet view of the vector (p. 444).
stats......................(trivial) descriptive statistics (p. 462).
Rowvector Procs
fill ........................fill elements of the vector (p. 282).
setformat ..............set the display format for the vector spreadsheet (p. 432).
setindent...............set the indentation for the vector spreadsheet (p. 437).
setjust...................set the justification for the vector spreadsheet (p. 438).
setwidth ...............set the column width in the vector spreadsheet (p. 444).
Rowvector Data Members
(i) ........................i-th element of the vector. Simply append (i) to the matrix name
(without a .).
Rowvector Examples
To declare a rowvector and to fill it with data read from an Excel file:
rowvector(10) mydata
mydata.read(b2) thedata.xls
To access a single element of the vector using direct indexing:
scalar result1=mydata(2)
The rowvector may be used in standard matrix expressions:
vector transdata=@transpose(mydata)
Sample
Sample of observations. Description of a set of observations to be used in operations.
Sample Declaration
sample..................declare sample object (p. 406).
To declare a sample object, use the keyword sample, followed by a name and a sample
string:
sample mysample 1960:1 1990:4
sample altsample 120 170 300 1000 if x>0
Sample Procs
set ....................... reset the sample range (p. 420).
Sample Example
To change the observations in a sample object, you can use the set proc:
mysample.set 1960:1 1980:4 if y>0
sample thesamp 1 10 20 30 40 60 if x>0
thesamp.set @all
To set the current sample to use a sample, enter a smpl statement, followed by the name
of the sample object:
smpl mysample
equation eq1.ls y x c
Scalar
Scalar (single number). A scalar holds a single numeric value. Scalar values may be used
in standard EViews expressions in place of numeric values.
Scalar Declaration
scalar................... declare scalar object (p. 410).
To declare a scalar object, use the keyword scalar, followed by a name, an = sign and
a scalar expression or value.
Scalar objects have no views or procedures, and do not open windows. The value of the
scalar may be displayed in the status line at the bottom of the EViews window.
Scalar Examples
You can declare a scalar and examine its contents in the status line:
scalar pi=3.14159
scalar shape=beta(7)
show shape
or you can declare a scalar and use it in an expression:
scalar inner=@transpose(mydata)*mydata
Series175
series x=1/@sqrt(inner)*y
Series
Series of numeric observations. An EViews series contains a set of observations on a
numeric variable.
Series Declaration
frml ......................create numeric series object with a formula for auto-updating
(p. 293).
genr......................create numeric series object (p. 295).
series....................declare numeric series object (p. 418).
To declare a series, use the keyword series or alpha followed by a name, and optionally,
by an = sign and a valid numeric series expression:
series y
genr x=3*z
If there is no assignment, the series will be initialized to contain NAs.
Series Views
area ......................area graph of the series (p. 207).
bar .......................bar graph of the series (p. 215).
bdstest ..................BDS independence test (p. 217).
boxplotby .............boxplot by classification (p. 221).
cdfplot ..................distribution (cumulative, survivor, quantile) functions (p. 230).
correl....................correlogram, autocorrelation and partial autocorrelation functions
(p. 246).
edftest ..................empirical distribution function tests (p. 272).
freq ......................one-way tabulation (p. 291).
hist.......................descriptive statistics and histogram (p. 308).
kdensity................kernel density estimate (p. 315).
label .....................label information for the series (p. 317).
line.......................line graph of the series (p. 320).
qqplot ...................quantile-quantile plot (p. 389).
seasplot ................seasonal line graph (p. 418).
sheet ....................spreadsheet view of the series (p. 444).
statby ...................statistics by classification (p. 457).
stats......................descriptive statistics table (p. 308).
testby................... equality test by classification (p. 476).
teststat ................. simple hypothesis tests (p. 481).
uroot.................... unit root test on an ordinary or panel series (p. 494).
Series Procs
fill ....................... fill the elements of the series (p. 282).
hpf....................... Hodrick-Prescott filter (p. 310).
map..................... assign or remove value map setting (p. 349).
resample .............. resample from the observations in the series (p. 395).
seas ..................... seasonal adjustment for quarterly and monthly time series
(p. 417).
setconvert ............ set default frequency conversion method (p. 424).
setformat ............. set the display format for the series spreadsheet (p. 432).
setindent.............. set the indentation for the series spreadsheet (p. 437).
setjust .................. set the justification for the series spreadsheet (p. 438).
setwidth............... set the column width in the series spreadsheet (p. 444).
smooth ................ exponential smoothing (p. 447).
tramoseats ........... seasonal adjustment using Tramo/Seats (p. 484).
x11 ...................... seasonal adjustment by Census X11 method for quarterly and
monthly time series (p. 520).
x12 ...................... seasonal adjustment by Census X12 method for quarterly and
monthly time series (p. 522).
Series Data Members
(i)........................ i-th element of the series from the beginning of the workfile (when
used on the left-hand side of an assignment, or when the element
appears in a matrix, vector, or scalar assignment).
Series Element Functions
@elem(ser, j) ....... function to access the j-th observation of the series SER, where j
identifies the date or observation.
Series Examples
You can declare a series in the usual fashion:
series b=income*@mean(z)
series blag=b(1)
Sspace177
Note that the last example above involves a series expression so that B(1) is treated as a
one-period lead of the entire series, not as an element operator. In contrast:
scalar blag1=b(1)
evaluates the first observation on B in the workfile.
Once a series is declared, views and procs are available:
a.qqplot
a.statby(mean, var, std) b
To access individual values:
scalar quarterlyval = @elem(y, "1980:3")
scalar undatedval = @elem(x, 323)
Sspace
State space object. Estimation and evaluation of state space models using the Kalman fil-
ter.
Sspace Declaration
sspace...................create sspace object (p. 457).
To declare a sspace object, use the sspace keyword, followed by a valid name.
Sspace Method
ml ........................maximum likelihood estimation or filter initialization (p. 352).
Sspace Views
cellipse .................Confidence ellipses for coefficient restrictions (p. 231).
coefcov .................coefficient covariance matrix (p. 239).
endog ...................table or graph of actual signal variables (p. 274).
grads ....................examine the gradients of the log likelihood (p. 302).
label .....................label information for the state space object (p. 317).
output ..................table of estimation results (p. 361).
residcor ................standardized one-step ahead residual correlation matrix (p. 398).
residcov................standardized one-step ahead residual covariance matrix (p. 398).
resids....................one-step ahead actual, fitted, residual graph (p. 399).
results ..................table of estimation and filter results (p. 400).
signalgraphs .........display graphs of signal variables (p. 446).
spec......................text representation of state space specification (p. 454).
statefinal...............display the final values of the states or state covariance (p. 460).
stategraphs........... display graphs of state variables (p. 459).
stateinit................ display the initial values of the states or state covariance (p. 461).
structure .............. examine coefficient or variance structure of the specification
(p. 467).
Sspace Procs
append................. add line to the specification (p. 202).
forecast ................ perform state and signal forecasting (p. 287).
makeendog .......... make group containing actual values for signal variables (p. 335).
makefilter ............ make new Kalman Filter(p. 336).
makegrads ........... make group containing the gradients of the log likelihood (p. 337).
makemodel .......... make a model object containing equations in sspace (p. 341).
makesignals ......... make group containing signal and residual series (p. 344).
makestates ........... make group containing state series (p. 345).
sspace.................. declare sspace object (p. 457).
updatecoefs.......... update coefficient vector(s) from sspace (p. 493).
Sspace Data Members
Scalar Values
@coefcov(i,j) ....... covariance of coefficients i and j.
@coefs(i)............. coefficient i.
@eqregobs(k) ...... number of observations in signal equation k.
@sddep(k)........... standard deviation of the signal variable in equation k.
@ssr(k) ............... sum-of-squared standardized one-step ahead residuals for equa-
tion k.
@stderrs(i) .......... standard error for coefficient i.
@tstats(t)............. t-statistic value for coefficient i.
Scalar Values (system level data)
@aic.................... Akaike information criterion for the system.
@hq .................... Hannan-Quinn information criterion for the system.
@logl................... value of the log likelihood function.
@ncoefs............... total number of estimated coefficients in the system.
@neqns ............... number of equations for observable variables.
@regobs .............. number of observations in the system.
@sc ..................... Schwarz information criterion for the system.
Sspace179
@totalobs .............sum of @eqregobs from each equation.
@coefcov..............covariance matrix for coefficients of equation.
@tstats .................vector of t-statistic values for coefficients.
State and Signal Results
The following functions allow you to extract the filter and smoother results for the estima-
tion sample and place them in matrix objects. In some cases, the results overlap those
available thorough the sspace procs, while in other cases, the matrix results are the only
way to obtain the results.
Note also that since the computations are only for the estimation sample, the one-step-
ahead predicted state and state standard error values will not match the final values dis-
played in the estimation output. The latter are the predicted values for the first out-of-esti-
mation sample period.
@pred_signal........matrix or vector of one-step ahead predicted signals.
@pred_signalcov...matrix where every row is the @vech of the one-step ahead pre-
dicted signal covariance.
@pred_signalse.....matrix or vector of the standard errors of the one-step ahead pre-
dicted signals.
@pred_err ............matrix or vector of one-step ahead prediction errors.
@pred_errcov .......matrix where every row is the @vech of the one-step ahead pre-
diction error covariance.
@pred_errcovinv ..matrix where every row is the @vech of the inverse of the one-
step ahead prediction error covariance.
@pred_errse .........matrix or vector of the standard errors of the one-step ahead pre-
diction errors.
@pred_errstd........matrix or vector of standardized one-step ahead prediction errors.
@pred_state..........matrix or vector of one-step ahead predicted states.
@pred_statecov.....matrix where each row is the @vech of the one-step ahead predi-
cated state covariance.
@pred_statese.......matrix or vector of the standard errors of the one-step ahead pre-
dicted states.
@pred_stateerr .....matrix or vector of one-step ahead predicted state errors.
@curr_err.............matrix or vector of filtered error estimates.
@curr_gain...........matrix or vector where each row is the @vec of the Kalman gain.
@curr_state ......... matrix or vector of filtered states.
@curr_statecov .... matrix where every row is the @vech of the filtered state covari-
ance.
@curr_statese ...... matrix or vector of the standard errors of the filtered state est-
mates.
@sm_signal ......... matrix or vector of smoothed signal estimates.
@sm_signalcov .... matrix where every row is the @vech of the smoothed signal cova-
riance.
@sm_signalse ...... matrix or vector of the standard errors of the smoothed signals.
@sm_signalerr ..... matrix or vector of smoothed signal error estimates.
@sm_signalerrcov matrix where every row is the @vech of the smoothed signal error
covariance.
@sm_signalerrse .. matrix or vector of the standard errors of the smoothed signal
error.
@sm_signalerrstd. matrix or vector of the standardized smoothed signal errors.
@sm_state ........... matrix or vector of smoothed states.
@sm_statecov ...... matrix where each row is the @vech of the smoothed state covari-
ances.
@sm_statese ........ matrix or vector of the standard errors of the smoothed state.
@sm_stateerr....... matrix or vector of the smoothed state errors.
@sm_stateerrcov.. matrix where each row is the @vech of the smoothed state error
covariance.
@sm_stateerrse .... matrix or vector of the standard errors of the smoothed state
errors.
@sm_stateerrstd... matrix or vector of the standardized smoothed state errors .
@sm_crosserrcov . matrix where each row is the @vec of the smoothed error cross-
covariance.
Sspace Examples
The one-step-ahead state values and variances from SS01 may be saved using:
vector ss_state=ss01.@pred_state
matrix ss_statecov=ss01.@pred_statecov
Sym
Symmetric matrix (symmetric two-dimensional array).
Sym Declaration
sym ..................... declare sym object (p. 471).
Sym181
Declare by providing a name after the sym keyword, with the optionally specified dimen-
sion in parentheses:
sym(10) symmatrix
You may optionally assign a scalar, a square matrix or another sym in the declaration. If
the square matrix is not symmetric, the sym will contain the lower triangle. The sym will
be sized and initialized accordingly.
Sym Views
area ......................area graph of the columns of the matrix (p. 207).
bar .......................single or multiple bar graph of each column against the row index
(p. 215).
cor........................correlation matrix by columns (p. 246).
cov .......................covariance matrix by columns (p. 250).
errbar ...................error bar graph view (p. 276).
hilo ......................high-low(-open-close) chart (p. 307).
label .....................label information for the symmetric matrix (p. 317).
line.......................single or multiple line graph of each column against the row index
(p. 320).
pie........................pie chart view (p. 384).
scat ......................scatter diagrams of the columns of the sym (p. 412).
sheet ....................spreadsheet view of the symmetric matrix (p. 444).
stats......................descriptive statistics by column (p. 462).
xy.........................XY graph with one or more X columns plotted against one or more
Y (p. 528).
Sym Procs
fill ........................fill the elements of the matrix (p. 282).
setformat ..............set the display format for the sym spreadsheet (p. 432).
setindent...............set the indentation for the sym spreadsheet (p. 437).
setjust...................set the justification for the sym spreadsheet (p. 438).
setwidth ...............set the column width in the sym spreadsheet (p. 444).
Sym Data Members
(i,j)...................... (i,j)-th element of the matrix. Simply append (i,j) to the matrix
name (without a .).
Sym Examples
The declaration:
sym results(10)
results=3
creates the 10 10 matrix RESULTS and initializes each value to be 3. The following
assignment statements also create and initialize sym objects:
sym copymat=results
sym covmat1=eq1.@coefcov
sym(3,3) count
count.fill 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10
Graphs, covariances, and statistics may be generated for the columns of the matrix:
copymat.line
copymat.cov
copymat.stats
You can use explicit indices to refer to matrix elements:
scalar diagsum=cov1(1,1)+cov1(2,2)+cov(3,3)
System
System of equations for estimation.
System Declaration
system ................. declare system object (p. 472).
Declare a system object by entering the keyword system, followed by a name:
system mysys
To fill a system, open the system and edit the specification view, or use append. Note that
systems are not used for simulation. See Model (p. 168).
System Methods
3sls...................... three-stage least squares (p. 194).
fiml ..................... full information maximum likelihood (p. 284).
gmm.................... generalized method of moments (p. 297).
System183
ls..........................ordinary least squares (p. 329).
sur .......................seemingly unrelated regression (p. 468).
tsls .......................two-stage least squares (p. 487).
wls .......................weighted least squares (p. 515).
wtsls.....................weighted two-stage least squares (p. 519).
System Views
cellipse .................Confidence ellipses for coefficient restrictions (p. 231).
coefcov .................coefficient covariance matrix (p. 239).
derivs ...................derivatives of the system equations (p. 264).
endog ...................table or graph of endogenous variables (p. 274).
grads ....................examine the gradients of the objective function (p. 302).
label .....................label information for the system object (p. 317).
output ..................table of estimation results (p. 361).
residcor ................residual correlation matrix (p. 398).
residcov................residual covariance matrix (p. 398).
resids....................residual graphs (p. 399).
results ..................table of estimation results (p. 400).
spec......................text representation of system specification (p. 454).
wald .....................Wald coefficient restriction test (p. 502).
System Procs
append .................add a line of text to the system specification (p. 202).
makeendog ...........make group of endogenous series (p. 335).
makemodel ...........create a model from the estimated system (p. 341).
makeresids ...........make series containing residuals from system (p. 342).
updatecoefs...........update coefficient vector(s) from system (p. 493).
System Data Members
Scalar Values (individual equation data)
@coefcov(i, j) ......covariance of coefficients i and j.
@dw(k)................Durbin-Watson statistic for equation k.
@eqncoef(k).........number of estimated coefficients in equation k.
@eqregobs(k) .......number of observations in equation k.
@meandep(k).......mean of the dependent variable in equation k.
@ncoef(k) ........... total number of estimated coefficients in equation k.
@r2(k) ................ R-squared statistic for equation k.
@rbar2(k) ........... adjusted R-squared statistic for equation k.
@sddep(k)........... standard deviation of dependent variable in equation k.
@se(k) ................ standard error of the regression in equation k.
@ssr(k) ............... sum of squared residuals in equation k.
@stderrs(i) .......... standard error for coefficient i.
@tstats(i)............. t-statistic for coefficient i.
c(i) ...................... i-th element of default coefficient vector for system (if applicable).
@aic.................... Akaike information criterion for the system (if applicable).
@detresid ............ determinant of the residual covariance matrix.
@hq .................... Hannan-Quinn information criterion for the system (if applicable).
@jstat .................. J-statistic value of the GMM objective function (for GMM esti-
mation).
@logl .................. value of the log likelihood function for the system (if applicable).
@ncoefs............... total number of estimated coefficients in system.
@neqn................. number of equations.
@regobs .............. number of observations in the sample range used for estimation
(@regobs will differ from @eqregobs if the unbalanced sam-
ple is non-overlapping).
@schwarz............ Schwarz information criterion for the system (if applicable).
@totalobs ............ sum of @eqregobs from each equation.
@coefcov............. covariance matrix for coefficients of equation.
@coefs................. coefficient vector.
@stderrs .............. vector of standard errors for coefficients.
System Examples
To estimate a system using GMM and to create residual series for the estimated system:
sys1.gmm(i,m=7,c=.01,b=v)
sys1.makeresids consres incres saveres
To test coefficients using a Wald test:
Table185
sys1.wald c(1)=c(4)
To save the coefficient covariance matrix:
sym covs=sys1.@coefcov
Table
Table object. Formatted two-dimensional table for output display.
Table Declaration
freeze ...................freeze tabular view of object (p. 290).
table .....................create table object (p. 457).
To declare a table object, use the keyword table, followed by an optional row and column
dimension, and then the object name:
table onelement
table(10,5) outtable
If no dimension is provided, the table will contain a single element.
Alternatively, you may declare a table using an assignment statement. The new table will
be sized and initialized, accordingly:
table newtable=outtable
Lastly, you may use the freeze command to create tables from tabular views of other
objects:
freeze(newtab) ser1.freq
Table Views
label .....................label information for the table object (p. 317).
sheet ....................view the table (p. 444).
Table Procs
comment ..............adds or removes a comment in a table cell (p. 242).
save......................save table as CSV, tab-delimited ASCII text, RTF, or HTML file on
disk (p. 407).
setfillcolor.............set the fill (background) color of a set of table cells (p. 429).
setfont ..................set the font for the text in a set of table cells (p. 431).
setformat ..............set the display format of a set of table cells (p. 432).
setheight...............set the row height in a set of table cells (p. 436).
setindent.............. set the indentation for a set of table cells (p. 437).
setjust .................. set the justification for a set of table cells (p. 438).
setlines ................ set the line characteristics and borders for a set of table cells
(p. 440).
setmerge .............. merge or unmerge a set of table cells (p. 441).
settextcolor .......... set the text color in a set of table cells (p. 443).
setwidth............... set the column width for a set of table cells (p. 444).
Table Data Members
(i,j)...................... the (i,j)-th element of the table, formatted as a string.
Table Commands
setcell .................. format and fill in a table cell (p. 422).
setcolwidth .......... set width of a table column (p. 423).
setline.................. place a horizontal line in table (p. 439).
Table Examples
table(5,5) mytable
%strval = mytable(2,3)
mytable(4,4) = "R2"
mytable(4,5) = @str(eq1.@r2)
Text
Text object.
Object for holding arbitrary text information.
Text Declaration
text ...................... declare text object (p. 482).
To declare a text object, use the keyword text, followed by the object name:
text mytext
Text Views
label .................... label information for the valmap object (p. 317).
text ...................... view contents of text object (p. 482).
Text Examples
text mytext
[add text to the object]
Valmap187
mytext.text
Valmap
Valmap (value map).
Valmap Declaration
valmap .................declare valmap object (p. 499).
To declare a valmap use the keyword valmap, followed by a name
valmap mymap
Valmap Views
label .....................label information for the valmap object (p. 317).
sheet ....................view table of map definitions (p. 444).
stats......................summary of map definitions (p. 462).
usage....................list of series and alphas which use the map (p. 499).
Valmap Procs
append .................append a definition to a valmap (p. 202).
Valmap Examples
valmap b
b.append 0 no
b.append 1 yes
declares a valmap B, and adds two map definitions, mapping 0 to no and 1 to yes.
valmap txtmap
txtmap append "NM" "New Mexico"
txtmap append CA California
txtmap append "RI" "Rhode Island"
declares the valmap TXTMAP and adds three definitions.
Var
Vector autoregression and error correction object.
Var Declaration
var .......................declare var estimation object (p. 500).
To declare a var use the keyword var, followed by a name and, optionally, by an estima-
tion specification:
var finvar
var empvar.ls 1 4 payroll hhold gdp
var finec.ec(e,2) 1 6 cp div r
Var Methods
ec ........................ estimate a vector error correction model (p. 271).
ls ......................... estimate an unrestricted VAR (p. 329).
Var Views
arlm..................... serial correlation LM test (p. 209).
arroots ................. inverse roots of the AR polynomial (p. 212).
coint .................... Johansen cointegration test (p. 240).
correl ................... residual autocorrelations (p. 246).
decomp................ variance decomposition (p. 260).
endog .................. table or graph of endogenous variables (p. 274).
impulse................ impulse response functions (p. 311).
jbera .................... residual normality test (p. 313).
label .................... label information for the var object (p. 317).
laglen .................. lag order selection criteria (p. 318).
qstats ................... residual portmanteau tests (p. 390).
representations..... text describing var specification (p. 395).
residcor................ residual correlation matrix (p. 398).
residcov ............... residual covariance matrix (p. 398).
resids................... residual graphs (p. 399).
testexog ............... exogeneity (Granger causality) tests (p. 478).
testlags ................ lag exclusion tests (p. 480).
white ................... White heteroskedasticity test (p. 514).
Var Procs
append................. append restriction text (p. 202).
cleartext ............... clear restriction text (p. 237).
makecoint ............ make group of cointegrating relations (p. 334).
makeendog .......... make group of endogenous series (p. 335).
Var189
makemodel ...........make model from the estimated var (p. 341).
makeresids ...........make residual series (p. 342).
makesystem..........make system from var (p. 348).
svar ......................estimate structural factorization (p. 469).
Var Data Members
Scalar Values (individual level data)
@eqlogl(k) ...........log likelihood for equation k.
@eqncoef(k).........number of estimated coefficients in equation k.
@eqregobs(k) .......number of observations in equation k.
@meandep(k).......mean of the dependent variable in equation k.
@r2(k) .................R-squared statistic for equation k.
@rbar2(k) ............adjusted R-squared statistic for equation k.
@sddep(k) ...........std. dev. of dependent variable in equation k.
@se(k) .................standard error of the regression in equation k.
@ssr(k) ................sum of squared residuals in equation k.
a(i,j).....................adjustment coefficient for the j-th cointegrating equation in the i-
th equation of the VEC (where applicable).
b(i,j).....................coefficient of the j-th variable in the i-th cointegrating equation
(where applicable).
c(i,j) .....................coefficient of the j-th regressor in the i-th equation of the var, or
the coefficient of the j-th first-difference regressor in the i-th equa-
tion of the VEC.
@aic.....................Akaike information criterion for the system.
@detresid .............determinant of the residual covariance matrix.
@hq .....................Hannan-Quinn information criterion for the system.
@logl ...................log likelihood for system.
@ncoefs ...............total number of estimated coefficients in the var.
@neqn .................number of equations.
@regobs ...............number of observations in the var.
@sc......................Schwarz information criterion for the system.
@svarcvgtype .......Returns an integer indicating the convergence type of the struc-
tural decomposition estimation: 0 (convergence achieved), 2 (fail-
ure to improve), 3 (maximum iterations reached), 4 (no
convergencestructural decomposition not estimated).
@svaroverid .........over-identification LR statistic from structural factorization.
@totalobs ............ sum of @eqregobs from each equation (@regobs*@neqn).
@coefmat ............ coefficient matrix (as displayed in output table).
@coefse ............... matrix of coefficient standard errors (corresponding to the output
table).
@cointse.............. standard errors of cointegrating vectors.
@cointvec............ cointegrating vectors.
@impfact ............. factorization matrix used in last impulse response view.
@lrrsp ................. accumulated long-run responses from last impulse response view.
@lrrspse .............. standard errors of accumulated long-run responses.
@residcov............ (sym) covariance matrix of the residuals.
@svaramat........... estimated A matrix for structural factorization.
@svarbmat .......... estimated B matrix for structural factorization.
@svarcovab ......... covariance matrix of stacked A and B matrix for structural factor-
ization.
@svarrcov............ restricted residual covariance matrix from structural factorization.
Var Examples
To declare a var estimate a VEC specification and make a residual series:
var finec.ec(e,2) 1 6 cp div r
finec.makeresids
To estimate an ordinary var, to create series containing residuals, and to form a model
based upon the estimated var:
var empvar.ls 1 4 payroll hhold gdp
empvar.makeresids payres hholdres gdpres
empvar.makemodel(inmdl) cp fcp div fdiv r fr
To save coefficients in a scalar:
scalar coef1=empvar.b(1,2)
Vector
Vector. (One dimensional array of numbers).
Vector Declaration
vector .................. declare vector object (p. 499).
Vector191
There are several ways to create a vector object. Enter the vector keyword (with an
optional dimension) followed by a name:
vector scalarmat
vector(10) results
Alternatively, you may declare a vector using an assignment statement. The vector will be
sized and initialized, accordingly:
vector(10) myvec=3.14159
vector results=vec1
Vector Views
area ......................area graph of the vector (p. 207).
bar .......................bar graph of data against the row index (p. 215).
label .....................label information for the vector object (p. 317).
line.......................line graph of the data against the row index (p. 320).
sheet ....................spreadsheet view of the vector (p. 444).
Vector Procs
fill ........................fill elements of the vector (p. 282).
setformat ..............set the display format for the vector spreadsheet (p. 432).
setindent...............set the indentation for the vector spreadsheet (p. 437).
setjust...................set the justification for the vector spreadsheet (p. 438).
setwidth ...............set the column width for the vector spreadsheet (p. 444).
Vector Data Members
(i) ........................i-th element of the vector. Simply append (i) to the matrix name
(without a .).
Vector Examples
To declare a vector and to fill it with data read in from an Excel file:
vector(10) mydata
mydata.read(b2) thedata.xls
To access a single element of the vector using direct indexing:
scalar result1=mydata(2)
The vector may be used in standard matrix expressions:
rowvector transdata=@transpose(mydata)
scalar inner=@transpose(mydata)*mydata
Appendix B. Command Reference
This chapter provides a complete alphabetical listing of the commands, views, and procedures
in EViews.
Each entry is comprised of a keyword, followed by a listing of the ways in which the keyword
may be used. The entry also provides a summary of behavior, as well as a description of the
syntax. If appropriate, we also provide a listing of additional arguments, short examples, and
cross-references.
For example, the listing for correl is given by:
Note that the keyword correl may be used in three distinct ways: as a command to compute
the correlogram of a specified series, as a series view to display the correlogram for a series
object, and as an equation view to display the correlogram of the residuals from the estimated
equation. The syntax for each of these uses is documented separately.
In addition to the dictionary-style alphabetical listing provided here, there are several other
places in the Command and Programming Reference that contain reference material:
Basic Command Summary beginning on page 16, provides a listing of commands com-
monly used when managing objects in workfiles and databases.
194Appendix B. Command Reference
In Matrix Function and Command Summary on page 44, we list the basic func-
tions and commands used when working with matrix objects.
In Programming Summary on page 115, we list the commands, functions and key-
words used in EViews programming and string processing.
Appendix A, Object, View and Procedure Reference, beginning on page 151, lists
all of the views and procedures classified by object, making it easy to see which
views and procedures are available for a given object.
Appendix C, Special Expression Reference, beginning on page 535 lists special
expressions that may be used in series assignment and generation, or as terms in
estimation specifications.
Appendix D, Operator and Function Reference, on page 543 contains a complete
listing of the functions and mathematical operators used in forming series expres-
sions, and in performing matrix element operations.
Appendix E, Workfile Functions, on page 559 documents special functions that
return information about the workfile and the observation identifiers.
Appendix F, String and Date Function Reference, on page 565 lists functions for
working with strings and date numbers.
Appendix G, Matrix Reference, beginning on page 581 documents the matrix, vec-
tor, scalar, and string functions and commands.
Appendix H, Programming Language Reference, on page 603 lists the commands
and keywords used in the programming language. These entries may only used in
batch programs.
Estimate a system of equations by three-stage least squares.
Syntax
System Method: system_name.3sls(options)
Options
3sls System Method
i Iterate simultaneously over the weighting matrix and
coefficient vector.
s Iterate sequentially over the weighting matrix and coef-
ficient vector.
3sls195
Examples
sys1.3sls(i)
Estimates SYS1 by the 3SLS method, iterating simultaneously on the weighting matrix and
the coefficient vector.
nlsys.3sls(showopts,m=500)
Estimates NLSYS by 3SLS with up to 500 iterations. The showopts option displays the
starting values and other estimation options.
Cross-references
See Chapter 23, System Estimation, on page 679 of the Users Guide for discussion of
system estimation.
o (default) Iterate the coefficient vector to convergence following
one-iteration of the weighting matrix.
c One step (iteration) of the coefficient vector following
m=integer Maximum number of iterations.
c=number Set convergence criterion. The criterion is based upon
the maximum of the percentage changes in the scaled
coefficients.
l=number Set maximum number of iterations on the first-stage
coefficient estimation to get the one-step weighting
matrix.
showopts /
-showopts
[Do / do not] display the starting coefficient values and
estimation options in the estimation output.
deriv=keyword Set derivative methods. The argument keyword should
be a one- or two-letter string. The first letter should
either be f or a corresponding to fast or accurate
numeric derivatives (if used). The second letter should
be either n (always use numeric) or a (use analytic
if possible). If omitted, EViews will use the global
defaults.
p Print estimation results.
Add series to a group or add cross section members to a pool.
Syntax
Group Proc: group_name.add arg1 [arg2 arg3 ...]
Pool Proc: pool_name.add id1 [id2 id3 ...]
List the names of series or group of series to add to the group, or list the cross-section iden-
tifiers to add to the pool.
Examples
dummy.add d11 d12
Adds the two series D11 and D12 to the group DUMMY.
countries.add us gr
Adds US and GR as cross-section members of the pool object COUNTRIES.
Cross-references
See Groups on page 85 of the Users Guide for additional discussion of groups. Cross-
section Identifiers on page 811 of the Users Guide discusses pool identifiers.
See also drop (p. 270).
Assign add factors to equations.
Syntax
Model Proc: model_name.addassign(options) equation_spec
where equation_spec identifies the equations for which you wish to assign add factors. You
may either provide a list of endogenous variables, or you can use one of the following
shorthand keywords:
add Group Proc | Pool Proc
addassign Model Proc
@all All equations.
@stochastic All stochastic equations (no identities).
@identity All identities.
addinit197
The options identify the type of add factor to be used, and control the assignment behavior
for equations where you have previously assigned add factors. addassign may be called
multiple times to add different types of add factors to different equations. addassign may
also be called to remove existing add factors.
Options
Examples
m1.addassign(v) @all
assigns a variable shift to all equations in the model.
m1.addassign(c, i) @stochastic
changes the stochastic equation add factors to intercept shifts.
m1.addassign(v) @stochastic
m1.addassign(v) y1 y2 y2
m1.addassign(i) @identity
assigns variable shifts to the stochastic equations and the equations for Y1, Y2, and Y3,
and assigns intercept shifts to the identities.
Cross-references
See Using Add Factors on page 786 of the Users Guide. See also Chapter 26, Models,
beginning on page 761 of the Users Guide for a general discussion of models.
See addinit (p. 197).
Initialize add factors.
Syntax
Model Proc: model_name.addinit(options) equation_spec
i Intercept shifts (default).
v Variable shift.
n Noneremove add factors.
c Change existing add factors to the specified typeif the
c option is not used, only newly assigned add factors
will be given the specified type.
addinit Model Proc
where equation_spec identifies the equations for which you wish to initialize the add fac-
tors. You may either provide a list of endogenous variables, or you may use one of the fol-
lowing shorthand keywords:
The options control the type of initialization and the scenario for which you want to per-
form the initialization. addinit may be called multiple times to initialize various types of
add factors in the different scenarios.
Options
Examples
m1.addinit(v=b) @all
sets all of the add factors in the active scenario to the values of the baseline.
m1.addinit(v=z) @stochastic
m1.addinit(v=n) y1 y1 y2
first sets the active scenario stochastic equation add factors to zero, and then sets the Y1,
Y2, and Y3 equation residuals to zero (evaluated at actuals).
m1.addinit(s=b, v=z) @stochastic
sets the baseline scenario add factors to zero.
Cross-references
See Using Add Factors on page 786 of the Users Guide. See also Chapter 26, Models,
on page 761 of the Users Guide for a general discussion of models.
See also addassign (p. 196).
@all All equations
@stochastic All stochastic equations (no identities)
@identity All identities
v=arg
(default=z)
Initialize add factors: z (set add factor values to
zero), n (set add factor values so that the equation
has no residual when evaluated at actuals), b (set
add factors to the values of the baseline; over-
ride=actual).
s=arg
(default=a)
Scenario selection: a (set active scenario add factors),
b (set baseline scenario/actuals add factors), o (set
active scenario override add factors).
addtext199
Place text in graphs.
Syntax
Graph Proc: graph_name.addtext(options) text
Follow the addtext keyword with the text to be placed in the graph.
Options
The following options control the position of the text:
To place text within a graph, you can use explicit coordinates to specify the position of the
upper left corner of the text.
Coordinates are set by a pair
of numbers h, v in virtual
inches. Individual graphs are
always virtual inches
(scatter diagrams are
virtual inches) or a user-speci-
fied size, regardless of their
current display size.
The origin of the coordinate is
the upper left hand corner of
the graph. The first number h
specifies how many virtual
inches to offset to the right
from the origin. The second
number v specifies how many
addtext Graph Proc
font=n Set the size of the font.
t Top (above the graph and centered).
l Left rotated.
r Right rotated.
b Below and centered.
x Enclose text in box.
4 3
3 3
virtual inches to offset below the origin. The upper left hand corner of the text will be
placed at the specified coordinate.
Coordinates may be used with other options, but they must be in the first two positions of
the options list. Coordinates are overridden by other options that specify location.
When addtext is used with a multiple graph, the text is applied to the whole graph, not
to each individual graph.
Examples
freeze(g1) gdp.line
g1.addtext(t) Fig 1: Monthly GDP (78.1-95.12)
places the text Fig1: Monthly GDP (78.1-95.12) centered above the graph G1.
g1.addtext(.2,.2,X) Seasonally Adjusted
places the text Seasonally Adjusted in a box within the graph, slightly indented from the
upper left corner.
Cross-references
See also legend (p. 319).
Align placement of multiple graphs.
Syntax
Graph Proc: graph_name.align(n,h,v)
Options
You must specify three numbers (each separated by a comma) in parentheses in the fol-
lowing order: the first number n is the number of columns in which to place the graphs,
the second number h is the horizontal space between graphs, and the third number v is the
vertical space between graphs. Spacing is specified in virtual inches.
Examples
mygraph.align(3,1.5,1)
aligns MYGRAPH with graphs placed in three columns, horizontal spacing of 1.5 virtual
inches, and vertical spacing of 1 virtual inch.
var var1.ls 1 4 m1 gdp
align Graph Proc
alpha201
freeze(impgra) var1.impulse(m,24) gdp @ gdp m1
impgra.align(2,1,1)
estimates a VAR, freezes the impulse response functions as multiple graphs, and realigns
the graphs. By default, the graphs are stacked in one column, and the realignment places
the graphs in two columns.
Cross-references
For a detailed discussion of customizing graphs, see Chapter 14, Graphs, Tables, and Text
Objects, on page 403 of the Users Guide.
See also graph (p. 303).
Declare an alpha series object.
The alpha command creates and optionally initializes an alpha series or modifies an
existing series.
Syntax
Command: alpha ser_name
Command: alpha ser_name=formula
The alpha command should be followed by either the name of a new series, or an explicit
or implicit expression for generating a series. If you create a series and do not initialize it,
the series will be filled with the blank string .
Examples
alpha x = "initial value"
creates a series named X filled with NAs.
Once an alpha is declared, you need not include the alpha keyword prior to entering the
formula (alternatively, you may use genr (p. 295)). The following example generates an
alpha series named VAL that takes value Low if either INC is less than or equal to 5000
or EDU is less than 13, and High otherwise:
alpha val
val = @recode(inc<=5000 or edu<13, "High", "Low")
If FIRST and LAST are alpha series containing first and last names, respectively, the com-
mands:
alpha Object Declaration
alpha name = first + " " + last
genr name = name + " " + last
create an alpha series containing the full names.
Cross-references
See Alpha Series on page 145 of the Users Guide for additional discussion. Alpha
(p. 152) provides details on the alpha object.
See also genr (p. 295).
Append a specification line to a logl, model, sspace, system, valmap, or var.
Syntax
Object Proc: object_name.append text
Var Proc: var_name.append(options) text
Type the text to be added after the append keyword. For vars, you must specify the restric-
tions type option.
Options for Vars
One of the following options is required when using append as a var proc:
Examples
model macro2
macro2.merge eq_m1
macro2.merge eq_gdp
macro2.append assign @all f
macro1.append @trace gdp
macro2.solve
The first line declares a model object. The second and third lines merge existing equations
into the model. The fourth and fifth line appends an assign statement and a trace of GDP
to the model. The last line solves the model.
append
Logl Proc | Model Proc | Sspace Proc | System Proc | Valmap Proc |
Var Proc
svar Text for identifying restrictions for structural VAR.
coint Text for restrictions on the cointegration relations and/
or adjustment coefficients.
arch203
system macro1
macro1.append cons=c(1)+c(2)*gdp+c(3)*cons(-1)
macro1.append inv=c(4)+c(5)*tb3+c(6)*d(gdp)
macro1.append gdp=cons+inv+gov
macro1.append inst tb3 gov cons(-1) gdp(-1)
macro1.gmm
show macro1.results
The first line declares a system. The next three lines append the specification of each
endogenous variable in the system. The fifth line appends the list of instruments to be
used in estimation. The last two lines estimate the model by GMM and display the estima-
tion results.
vector(2) svec0=0
sspace1.append @mprior svec0
appends a line in the state space object SSPACE1 instructing EViews to use the zero vector
SVEC0 as initial values for the state vector.
Cross-references
See System Estimation Methods on page 680, and Models on page 761, and Value
Maps on page 155 of the Users Guide for details. See also cleartext (p. 237).
Estimate generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) models.
Syntax
Command: arch(p,q,options) y [x1 x2 x3] [@ p1 p2 [@ t1 t2]]
Command: arch(p,q,options) y=expression [@ p1 p2 [@ t1 t2]]
Equation Method: eq_name.arch(p,q,options) y [x1 x2 x3] [@ p1 p2 [@ t1 t2]]
Equation Method: eq_name.arch(p,q,options) y=expression [@ p1 p2 [@ t1 t2]]
The ARCH command or method estimates a model with p ARCH terms and q GARCH
terms. Note the order of the arguments in which the ARCH and GARCH terms are entered,
which gives precedence to the ARCH term.
The maximum value for or is 9; values above will be set to 9. The minimum value for
is 1. The minimum value for is 0. If either or is not specified, EViews will
assume a corresponding order of 1. Thus, a GARCH(1, 1) is assumed by default.
arch Command || Equation Method
p q
p q p q
After the ARCH keyword, specify the dependent variable followed by a list of regressors
in the mean equation.
By default, no exogenous variables (except for the intercept) are included in the condi-
tional variance equation. If you wish to include variance regressors, list them after the
mean equation using an @-sign to separate the mean from the variance equation.
When estimating component ARCH models, you may specify exogenous variance regres-
sors for the permanent and transitory components. After the mean equation regressors,
first list the regressors for the permanent component, followed by an @-sign, then the
regressors for the transitory component. A constant term is always included as a perma-
nent component regressor.
Options
egarch Exponential GARCH.
parch[=arg] Power ARCH. If the optional arg is provided, the power
parameter will be set to that value, otherwise the power
parameter will be estimated.
cgarch Component (permanent and transitory) ARCH.
asy=integer
(default=1)
Number of asymmetric terms in the Power ARCH or
EGARCH model. The maximum number of terms
allowed is 9.
thrsh=integer
(default=0)
Number of threshold terms for GARCH and Component
models. The maximum number of terms allowed is 9.
For Component models, thrsh must take a value of 0
or 1.
archm=arg ARCH-M (ARCH in mean) specification with the condi-
tional standard deviation (archm=sd), the condi-
tional variance (archm=var), or the log of the
conditional variance (archm= log) entered as a
regressor in the mean equation.
tdist [=number] Estimate the model assuming that the residuals follow a
conditional Students t-distribution (the default is the
conditional normal distribution). Providing the optional
number greater than two will fix the degrees of freedom
to that value. If the argument is not provided, the
degrees of freedom will be estimated.
arch205
Saved results
Most of the results saved for the ls command are also available after ARCH estimation;
see ls (p. 329) for details.
ged [=number] Estimate the model assuming that the residuals follow a
conditional GED (the default is the conditional normal
distribution). Providing a positive value for the optional
argument will fix the GED parameter. If the argument is
not provided, the parameter will be estimated.
h Bollerslev-Wooldridge robust quasi-maximum likeli-
hood (QML) covariance/standard errors. Not available
when using the tdist or ged options.
z Turn of backcasting for both initial MA innovations and
initial variances.
b Use Berndt-Hall-Hall-Hausman (BHHH) as maximiza-
tion algorithm. The default is Marquardt.
m=integer Set maximum number of iterations.
c=scalar Set convergence criterion. The criterion is based upon
coefficients.
s Use the current coefficient values in C as starting val-
ues (see also param (p. 383)).
s=number Specify a number between zero and one to determine
starting values as a fraction of preliminary LS estimates
(out of range values are set to s=1).
showopts /
-showopts
deriv=keyword Set derivative method. The argument keyword should
be a one-letter string (f or a corresponding to fast or
accurate numeric derivatives, respectively).
Examples
arch(4, 0, m=1000, h) sp500 c
estimates an ARCH(4) model with a mean equation consisting of the series SP500
regressed on a constant. The procedure will perform up to 1000 iterations, and will report
Bollerslev-Wooldridge robust QML standard errors upon completion.
The commands:
c = 0.1
equation arc1.arch(thrsh=1, s, mean=var) @pch(nys) c ar(1)
estimate a TARCH(1, 1)-in-mean specification with the mean equation relating the percent
change of NYS to a constant, an AR term of order 1, and a conditional variance (GARCH)
term. The first line sets the default coefficient vector to 0.1, and the s option uses these
values as coefficient starting values.
The command:
arch(1, 2, asy=0, parch=1.5, ged=1.2) dlog(ibm)=c(1)+c(2)*
dlog(sp500) @ r
estimates a symmetric Power ARCH(2, 1) (autoregressive GARCH of order 2, and moving
average ARCH of order 1) model with GED errors. The power of model is fixed at 1.5 and
the GED parameter is fixed at 1.2. The mean equation consists of the first log difference of
IBM regressed on a constant and the first log difference of SP500. The conditional variance
equation includes an exogenous regressor R.
Following estimation, we may save the estimated conditional variance as a series named
GARCH1.
arc1.makegarch garch1
Cross-references
See Chapter 20, ARCH and GARCH Estimation, on page 585 of the Users Guide for a dis-
cussion of ARCH models. See also garch (p. 295) and makegarch (p. 336).
Test for autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (ARCH).
Carries out Lagrange Multiplier (LM) tests for ARCH in the residuals.
archtest Command || Equation View
area207
Syntax
Command: archtest(options)
Equation View: eq_name.archtest(options)
Options
You must specify the order of ARCH for which you wish to test. The number of lags to be
included in the test equation should be provided in parentheses after the arch keyword.
Other Options:
Examples
ls output c labor capital
archtest(4)
Regresses OUTPUT on a constant, LABOR, and CAPITAL, and tests for ARCH up to order 4.
equation eq1.arch sp500 c
eq1.archtest(4)
Estimates a GARCH(1,1) model with mean equation of SP500 on a constant and tests for
additional ARCH up to order 4. Note that when performing an archtest after an arch
estimation, EViews uses the standardized residuals (the residual of the mean equation
divided by the estimated conditional standard deviation) to form the test.
Cross-references
See ARCH LM Test on page 566 of the Users Guide for further discussion of testing ARCH
and Chapter 20, ARCH and GARCH Estimation, on page 585 of the Users Guide for a
general discussion of working with ARCH models in EViews.
Display area graph view of the object or change existing graph object type to area graph.
Create area or filled line graph from one or more series, or from each column of a matrix
object.
p Print output from the test.
area
Command || Coef View | Graph Command | Group View | Matrix View |
Rowvector View | Series View | Sym View | Vector View
Syntax
Command: area(options) arg1 [arg2 arg3 ...]
Object View: object_name.area(options)
Graph Proc: graph_name.area(options)
Options
Template and printing options
Scale options
Panel options
The following options apply when graphing panel structured data.
o=graph_name Use appearance options from the specified graph.
t=graph_name Use appearance options and copy text and shading from
the specified graph.
p Print the area graph.
a (default) Automatic single scale.
d Dual scaling with no crossing. The first series is scaled
on the left and all other series are scaled on the right.
x Dual scaling with possible crossing. See the d option.
n Normalized scale (zero mean and unit standard devia-
tion). May not be used with the s option.
s Stacked area graph. Each area represents the cumula-
tive total of the series listed. The difference between
areas corresponds to the value of a series. May not be
used with the l option.
l Area graph for the first series listed and a line graph for
all subsequent series. May not be used with the s
option.
m Plot areas in multiple graphs (will override the s or
l options). Not for use with an existing graph object.
arlm209
Examples
group g1 ser1 ser2 ser3
g1.area(s)
defines a group G1 containing the three series SER1, SER2 and SER3, then plots a stacked
area graph of the series in the group.
area(l, o=gra1) s1 gdp cons
creates an area graph of series S1, together with line graphs of GDP and CONS. The graph
uses options from graph GRA1 as a template.
Cross-references
The graph object is described in greater detail in Graph (p. 159). See Chapter 14,
Graphs, Tables, and Text Objects, on page 403 of the Users Guide for a detailed discus-
sion of graphs in EViews, and Graph Templates on page 410 of the Users Guide for a dis-
cussion of graph templates. See graph (p. 303) for graph declaration and other graph
types.
Perform multivariate residual serial correlation LM test using an estimated Var.
Syntax
Var View: var_name.arlm(h, options)
panel=arg
(default taken
from global set-
tings)
Panel data display: stack (stack the cross-sections),
individual or 1 (separate graph for each cross-sec-
tion), combine or c (combine each cross-section in
single graph; one time axis), mean (plot means
across cross-sections), mean1se (plot mean and +/-
1 standard deviation summaries), mean2sd (plot
mean and +/- 2 s.d. summaries), mean3sd (plot
mean and +/- 3 s.d. summaries), median (plot
median across cross-sections), med25 (plot median
and +/- .25 quantiles), med10 (plot median and +/-
.10 quantiles), med05 (plot median +/- .05 quan-
tiles), med025 (plot median +/- .025 quantiles),
med005 (plot median +/- .005 quantiles), med-
mxmn (plot median, max and min).
arlm Var View
You must specify the highest order of lag, h, for which to test.
Options
Examples
var var1.ls 1 6 lgdp lm1 lcpi
show var1.arlm(12,name=lmout)
The first line declares and estimates a VAR with 6 lags. The second line displays the serial
correlation LM tests for lags up to 12 and stores the statistics in a matrix named LMOUT.
Cross-references
See Diagnostic Views on page 708 of the Users Guide for other VAR diagnostics. See also
qstats (p. 390) for related multivariate residual autocorrelation Portmanteau tests.
Examine ARMA structure of estimated equation.
Provides diagnostic graphical and tabular views that aid you in assessing the structure of
the ARMA component of an estimated equation. The view is currently available only for
equations specified by list and estimated by least squares that include at least one AR or
MA term. There are three views types available: roots, correlogram, and impulse response.
Syntax
Object View: eq_name.arma(type=arg [,options])
where eq_name is the name of an equation object specified by list, estimated by least
squares, and contains at least one ARMA term.
Options
name=arg Save LM statistics in named matrix object. The matrix
has h rows and one column.
p Print test output.
arma Equation View
type=arg Required type= option selects the type of ARMA
structure output: root displays the inverse roots of the
AR/MA characteristic polynomials, acf displays the
second moments (autocorrelation and partial autocorre-
lation) for the data in the estimation sample and for the
estimated model, imp displays the impulse responses.
arma211
Examples
eq1.arma(type=root, save=root)
displays and saves the ARMA roots from the estimated equation EQ1. The roots will be
placed in the matrix object ROOT.
eq1.arma(type=acf, hrz=25, save=acf)
computes the second moments (autocorrelation and partical autocorrelations) for the
observations in the sample and the estimated model. The results are computed for a 25
period horizon. We save the results in the matrix object ACF.
eq1.arma(type=imp, hrz=25, save=imp)
computes the 25 period impulse-response function implied by the estimated ARMA coeffi-
cients. EViews will use the default 1 standard error of the estimated equation as the shock,
and will save the results in the matrix object IMP.
Cross-references
See ARMA Structure on page 496 of the Users Guide for details.
t Displays the table view of the results for the view speci-
fied by the type= option. By default, EViews will dis-
play a graphical view of the ARMA results.
hrz=arg Specifies the maximum lag length for type=acf, and
the maximum horizon (periods) for type=imp.
imp=arg Specifies the size of the impulse for the impulse
response (type=imp) view. By default, EViews will
use the regression estimated standard error.
save=arg Stores the results as a matrix object with the specified
name. The matrix holds the results roughly as displayed
in the table view of the corresponding type. For
type=root, roots for the AR and MA polynomials will
be stored in separate matrices as NAME_AR and
NAME_MA, where NAME is the name given by the
save= option.
p Print the table or graph output.
Inverse roots of the characteristic AR polynomial.
Syntax
Var View: var_name.arroots(options)
Options
Examples
var1.arroots(graph)
The first line declares and estimates a VAR with 6 lags. The second line plots the AR roots
of the estimated VAR.
store roots
freeze(tab1) var1.arroots(name=roots)
The first line declares and estimates a VAR with 6 lags. The second line stores the roots in
a matrix named ROOTS, and the table view as a table named TAB1.
Cross-references
See Diagnostic Views on page 708 of the Users Guide for other VAR diagnostics.
Compute serial correlation LM (Lagrange multiplier) test.
Carries out Breusch-Godfrey Lagrange Multiplier (LM) tests for serial correlation in the
estimation residuals.
arroots Var View
name=arg Save roots in named matrix object. Each root is saved in
a row of the matrix, with the first column containing
the real, and the second column containing the imagi-
nary part of the root.
graph Plots the roots together with a unit circle. The VAR is
stable if all of the roots are inside the unit circle.
p Print table of AR roots.
auto Command || Equation View
axis213
Syntax
Command: auto(order, options)
Equation View: eq_name.auto(order, options)
You must specify the order of serial correlation for which you wish to test. You should
specify the number of lags in parentheses after the auto keyword, followed by any addi-
tional options.
In command form, auto tests the residuals from the default equation.
Options
Examples
To regress OUTPUT on a constant, LABOR, and CAPITAL, and test for serial correlation of
up to order four you may use the commands:
ls output c labor capital
auto(4)
The commands:
output(t) c:\result\artest.txt
equation eq1.ls cons c y y(-1)
eq1.auto(12, p)
perform a regression of CONS on a constant, Y and lagged Y, and test for serial correlation
of up to order twelve. The first line redirects printed tables/text to the ARTEST.TXT file.
Cross-references
See Serial Correlation LM Test on page 479 of the Users Guide for further discussion of
the Breusch-Godfrey test.
Sets axis display characteristics for the graph.
Syntax
Graph Proc: graph_name.axis(axis_id) options_list
The axis_id parameter identifies which of the axes the proc modifies. If no option is speci-
fied, the proc will modify all of the axes. axis_id may take on one of the following values:
axis Graph Proc
Options
The options list may include any of the following options:
Note that the default settings are taken from the Global Defaults.
Examples
graph1.axis(r) zeroline -minor font(12)
draws a horizontal line through the graph at zero on the right axis, removes minor ticks,
and changes the font size of the right axis labels to 12 point.
graph2.axis -mirror
turns of mirroring of axes in single scale graphs.
left / l Left vertical axis.
right / r Right vertical axis.
bottom / b Bottom axis.
top / t Top axis.
all / a All axes.
grid / -grid [Draw / Do not draw] grid lines.
zeroline /
-zeroline
[Draw / Do not draw] a line at zero on the data scale.
ticksout Draw tickmarks outside the graph axes.
ticksin Draw tickmarks inside the graph axes.
ticksboth Draw tickmarks both outside and inside the graph axes.
ticksnone Do not draw tickmarks.
minor /
-minor
[Allow / Do not allow] minor tick marks.
label /
-label
[Place / Do not place] labels on the axes.
font(arg) Set font size of labels, where arg is a numeric font size.
mirror /
-mirror
[Label / Do not label] both left and right axes with
duplicate axes (single scale graphs only).
bar215
Cross-references
See Chapter 14, Graphs, Tables, and Text Objects, on page 403 of the Users Guide for a
discussion of graph options.
See also scale (p. 410), datelabel (p. 252), options (p. 358) and setelem (p. 426).
Display bar graph of object, or change existing graph object type to bar graph.
Create bar graph from one or more series or from each column of a matrix object.
Note: when the individual bars in a bar graph become too thin to be distinguished, the
graph will automatically be converted into an area graph (see area (p. 207)).
Syntax
Command: bar(options) arg1 [arg2 arg3 ...]
Object View: object_name.bar(options)
Graph Proc: graph_name.bar(options)
When used as a graph proc, bar changes the graph type to a bar graph.
Options
Scale options
bar
p Print the bar graph.
on the left, and all other series are scaled on the right.
Panel options
The following options apply when graphing panel structured data:
Examples
Plot a bar graph of POP together with line graphs of GDP and CONS:
bar(l, x, o=mybar1) pop gdp cons
The bar graph is scaled on the left, while the line graphs are scaled on the right. The graph
uses options from graph MYBAR1 as a template.
group mygrp oldsales newsales
mygrp.bar(s)
The first line defines a group of series and the second line displays a stacked bar graph
view of the series in the group.
s Stacked bar graph. Each bar represents the cumulative
total of the series listed. The difference between bars
corresponds to the value of the corresponding stacked
series. May not be used with the l option.
l Bar graph for the first series and a line graph for all sub-
sequent series. May not be used with the s option.
m Plot bars in multiple graphs. Will override the s and
the l options. Not for use with an existing graph
object.
panel=arg
(default taken
from global set-
tings)
binary217
Cross-references
See Graph Templates on page 410 of the Users Guide for a discussion of graph templates.
See graph (p. 303) for graph declaration and additional graph types.
Perform BDS test for independence.
The BDS test is a Portmanteau test for time-based dependence in a series. The test may be
used for testing against a variety of possible deviations from independence, including lin-
ear dependence, non-linear dependence, or chaos.
Syntax
Series View: series_name.bds(options)
Options
Cross-references
See BDS Test on page 317 of the Users Guide for additional discussion.
Estimate binary dependent variable models.
Estimates models where the binary dependent variable Y is either zero or one (probit,
logit, gompit).
bdstest Series View
m=arg
(default=p)
Method for calculating : p (fraction of pairs), v
(fixed value), s (standard deviations), r (fraction of
range).
e=number Value for calculating .
d=integer Maximum dimension.
b=integer Number of repetitions for bootstrap p-values. If option
is omitted, no bootstraping is performed.
o=arg Name of output vector for final BDS z-statistics.
p Print output.
binary Command || Equation Method

Syntax
Command: binary(options) y x1 [x2 x3 ...]
Equation Method: eq_name.binary(options) y x1 [x2 x3 ...]
Options
Examples
To estimate a logit model of Y using a constant, WAGE, EDU, and KIDS, and computing
QML standard errors, you may use the command:
binary(d=l,h) y c wage edu kids
Note that this estimation uses the default global optimization options. The commands:
param c(1) .1 c(2) .1 c(3) .1
d=arg
(default=n)
Specify likelihood: normal likelihood function, probit
(n ), logistic likelihood function, logit (l), Type I
extreme value likelihood function, Gompit (x).
q (default) Use quadratic hill climbing as the maximization algo-
rithm.
r Use Newton-Raphson as the maximization algorithm.
b Use Berndt-Hall-Hall-Hausman (BHHH) for maximiza-
tion algorithm.
h Quasi-maximum likelihood (QML) standard errors.
g GLM standard errors.
coefficients.
ues.
starting values as a fraction of EViews default values
showopts /
-showopts
p Print results.
boxplot219
equation probit1.binary(s) y c x2 x3
estimate a probit model of Y on a constant, X2, and X3, using the specified starting values.
The commands:
coef beta_probit = probit1.@coefs
matrix cov_probit = probit1.@coefcov
store the estimated coefficients and coefficient covariances in the coefficient vector
BETA_PROBIT and matrix COV_PROBIT.
Cross-references
See Binary Dependent Variable Models on page 605 of the Users Guide for additional
discussion.
Display the model block structure view.
Show the block structure of the model, identifying which blocks are recursive and which
blocks are simultaneous.
Syntax
Model View: model_name.block(options)
Options
Cross-references
See Block Structure View on page 782 of the Users Guide for details. Chapter 26 of the
Users Guide provides a general discussion of models.
See also eqs (p. 275), text (p. 482) and vars (p. 501) for alternative representations of
the model.
Display boxplot of each series in the group.
Create a boxplot graph view containing boxplots for each series in the group.
block Model View
p Print the block structure view.
boxplot Group View
Syntax
Group View: group_name.boxplot(options)
Follow the group name with a period, the keyword, and any options. The default settings
are to display fixed width boxplots for each series using individual samples, with all basic
elements drawn (mean, med, staples, whiskers, near outliers, far outliers), and with shad-
ing representing the approximate confidence intervals for the median.
Options
Options to control initial display
Options to control calculation of boxplots
Other options
Examples
grp1.boxplot
displays default boxplots for all of the series in the group GRP1.
nomean Do not display means.
nomed Do not display medians.
nostaple Do not display staples.
nowhisk Do not display whiskers.
nonearout Do not display near outliers.
nofarout Do not display far outliers.
width=arg
(default=
fixed)
Boxplot width: fixed (fixed width boxplots), n
(width proportional to number of observations),
rootn (width proportional to square root of number of
observations).
ci=arg
(default=
shade)
95% confidence interval for median: none (do not
display), shade (display interval as shaded area),
notch (display interval using notched boxes).
b Balance sample.
q=arg
(default=r)
Compute quantiles using the specified definition: b
(Blom), r (Rankit-Cleveland), o (simple fraction),
t (Tukey), v (van der Waerden).
p Print the view.
boxplotby221
grp2.boxplot(b, nowhisk)
displays boxplots for the series in GRP2 after balancing the sample. The boxplots will not
have whiskers drawn.
Cross-references
See Boxplots on page 397 of the Users Guide for additional discussion.
See also boxplotby (p. 221) and stats (p. 462). For customization of a boxplot graph
object, see setelem (p. 426) and setbpelem (p. 421).
Display the boxplots of a series classified into categories.
Create a boxplot graph view containing boxplots of the elements of a series classified into
categories by one or more series.
Syntax
Series View: series_name.boxplotby(options) classifier_names
Follow the series name with a period, the keyword, and a name (or a list of names) for the
series or groups by which to classify. The default settings are to display fixed width box-
plots for each category, with all basic elements drawn (mean, med, staples, whiskers, near
outliers, far outliers), and with shading representing the approximate confidence intervals
for the median.
Options
Options to control display
boxplotby Series View
nomed Do not display medians.
nostaple Do not display staples.
nowhisk Do not display whiskers.
nonearout Do not display near outliers.
nofarout Do not display far outliers.
nolabel Do not display axis labels.
Options to control calculation of boxplots
Options to control binning
Other options
Examples
wage.boxplotby sex race
displays boxplots for the series WAGE categorized by the values of SEX and RACE.
width=arg
(default=
fixed)
Boxplot width: fixed (fixed width boxplots), n
(width proportional to number of observations),
rootn (width proportional to square root of number of
observations).
ci=arg
(default=
shade)
95% confidence interval for median: none (do not
display), shade (display interval as shaded area),
notch (display interval using notched boxes).
dropna (default),
keepna
[Drop/Keep] NA as a category.
total Create category for entire series.
q=arg
(default=r)
v=integer
(default=100)
Bin categories if classification series take on more than
the specified number of distinct values.
nov Do not bin based on the number of values of the classi-
fication series.
a=number
(default=2)
Bin categories if average cell count is less than the spec-
ified number.
noa Do not bin based on the average cell count.
b=integer
(default=5)
Set maximum number of binned categories.
p Print the view.
bpf223
income.boxplotby(total, keepna, width=n) sex race
displays boxplots for INCOME classified by SEX and RACE, with missing values in the clas-
sifier series treated as categories, and an additional boxplot drawn for the entire sample of
observations. The boxes will be drawn with variable widths proportional to the number of
observations in each category.
Cross-references
See Boxplots on page 397 of the Users Guide.
See also boxplot (p. 219), and statby (p. 457). For customization of a boxplot graph
object, see setelem (p. 426) and setbpelem (p. 421).
Compute and display the band-pass filter of a series.
Computes, and displays a graphical view of the Baxter-King fixed length symmetric, Chris-
tiano-Fitzgerald fixed length symmetric, or the Christiano-Fitzgerald full sample asymmet-
ric band-pass filter of the series.
The view will show the original series, the cyclical component, and non-cyclical compo-
nent in a single graph. For non time-varying filters, a second graph will show the frequency
responses.
Syntax
Series Proc: series_name.bpf(options) [cyc_name]
Follow the bpf keyword with any desired options, and the optional name to be given to the
cyclical component. If you do not provide cyc_name, the filtered series will be named
BPFILTER## where ## is a number chosen to ensure that the name is unique.
Options
bpf Series Proc
type=arg
(default=bk)
Specify the type of band-pass filter: bk is the Baxter-
King fixed length symmetric filter, cffix is the Chris-
tiano-Fitzgerald fixed length symmetric filter, cfasym
is the Christiano-Fitzgerald full sample asymmetric fil-
ter.
low=number,
high=number
Low ( ) and high ( ) values for the cycle range to
be passed through (specified in periods of the workfile
frequency).
Defaults to the workfile equivalent corresponding to a
range of 1.58 years for semi-annual to daily workfiles;
otherwise sets low=2, high=8.
The arguments must satisfy . The corre-
sponding frequency range to be passed through will be
.
lag=integer Fixed lag length (positive integer). Sets the fixed lead/
lag length for fixed length filters (type=bk or
type=cffix). Must be less than half the sample size.
Defaults to the workfile equivalent of 3 years for semi-
annual to daily workfiles; otherwise sets lag=3.
iorder=[0,1]
(default=0)
Specifies the integration order of the series. The default
value, 0 implies that the series is assumed to be
(covariance) stationary; 1 implies that the series con-
tains a unit root.
The integration order is only used in the computation of
Christiano-Fitzgerald filter weights (type=cffix or
type=cfasym). When iorder=1, the filter weights
are constrained to sum to zero.
detrend=arg
(default=n)
Detrending method for Christiano-Fitzgerald filters
(type=cffix or type=cfasym).
You may select the default argument n for no
detrending, c to demean, or t to remove a constant
and linear trend.
You may use the argument d to remove drift, if the
option iorder=1 is also specified.
nogain Suppresses plotting of the frequency response (gain)
function for fixed length symmetric filters (type=bk
or type=cffix). By default, EViews will plot the gain
function.
noncyc=arg Specifies a name for a series to contain the non-cyclical
series (difference between the actual and the filtered
series). If no name is provided, the non-cyclical series
will not be saved in the workfile.
P
L
P
H
2 P
L
P
H
< s
2 P
H
2 P
L
, ( )
bpf225
Examples
Suppose we are working in a quarterly workfile and we issue the following command:
lgdp.bpf(type=bk,low=6,high=32) cyc0
EViews will compute the Baxter-King band-pass filter of the series LGDP. The periodicity of
cycles extracted ranges from 6 to 32 quarters, and the filtered series will be saved in the
workfile in CYC0. The BK filter uses the default lag of 12 (3 years of quarterly data).
Since this is a fixed length filter, EViews will display both a graph of the cyclical/original/
non-cyclical series, as well as the frequency response (gain) graph. To suppress the latter
graph, we could enter a command containing the nogain option:
w=arg Store the filter weights as an object with the specified
name. For fixed length symmetric filters (type=bk or
type=cffix), the saved object will be a matrix of
dimension where is the user-specified
lag length order. For these filters, the weights on the
leads and the lags are the same, so the returned matrix
contains only the one-sided weights. The filtered series
may be computed as:
for .
For time-varying filters, the weight matrix is of dimen-
sion where is the number of non-missing
observations in the current sample. Row of the
matrix contains the weighting vector used to generate
the -th observation of the filtered series, where col-
umn contains the weight on the -th observation of
the original series. The filtered series may be computed
as:
where is the original series and is the
element of the weighting matrix. By construc-
tion, the first and last rows of the weight matrix will be
filled with missing values for the symmetric filter.
p Print the graph.
1 q 1 + ( ) q
z
t
z
t
w 1 c , ( )y
t 1 c +
c 1 =
q 1 +
w 1 c , ( )y
t c 1 +
c 2 =
q 1 +
+ =
t q 1 + . n q , , =
n n n
r
r
c c
z
t
w r c , ( )y
c
c 1 =
T
= r 1 . T , , =
y
t
w r c , ( )
r c , ( )
lgdp.bpf(type=bk,low=6,high=32,lag=12,nogain)
In this example, we have also overridden the default by specifying a fixed lag of 12 (quar-
ters). Since we have omitted the name for the cyclical series, EViews will create a series
with a name like BPFILTER01 to hold the results.
To compute the asymmetric Christiano-Fitzgerald filter, we might enter a command of the
form:
lgdp.bpf(type=cfasym,low=6,high=32,noncyc=non1,weight=wm) cyc0
The cyclical components are saved in CYC0, the non-cyclical in NON1, and the weighting
matrix in WM.
Cross-references
See Frequency (Band-Pass) Filter on page 346. See also hpf (p. 310).
Specify labeling of the bottom axis in boxplots.
Sets options that are specific to the appearance of the bottom axis of boxplots.
Additional options that affect the appearance of the axis may be set using axis (p. 213)
using the bottom option. These options include tick control, label and font options, and
grid lines.
Syntax
Graph Proc: graph_name.bplabel option_list
The option_list may contain one or more of the following:
bplabel Graph Proc
bplabel227
Examples
graph01.bplabel interval(ends) angle(45)
will display the endpoint labels only at a 45 degree angle.
graph01.bplabel interval(cust, 10, 2) label(2, "North")
displays labels on every tenth box, centered around the second. The label for the second
box is also changed to North.
Cross-references
See Boxplots on page 397 of the Users Guide for a description of boxplots.
See setelem (p. 426) to modify line and symbol attributes. See also setbpelem (p. 421),
options (p. 358), axis (p. 213), and scale (p. 410).
interval(step_size [,
steps] [,align_id])
(default step_size
=auto)
Specify the label frequency: step_size can take on one of
the following values: auto (automatic), ends (only
label endpoints; first and last boxplot), cust (custom
labels that use align_id and steps to determine which
labels to display).
steps is an optional number indicating the number of
steps between labels (a single step is defined as one
box). The default value is automatically determined.
align_id is an optional integer representing a box num-
ber to be used as a base. The base box will always
receive a label, and subsequent labeling will be deter-
mined using the specified steps. The default value is 1.
Note: the align_id may lie above the current number of
boxes.
angle(arg) Rotates the text label to the specified angle, where arg
can be either a number, measured from -90 to 90
degrees, or auto (or a) for automatically determined
angling. The angle is measured in 15 degree incre-
ments, counterclockwise from the horizontal axis.
label(id[,"text"]) /
-label(id[,"text"])
[Show / Hide] the label of the id box. text is a new label
for the box, and should be enclosed in quotes.
You may optionally precede the label keyword with
+.
Granger causality test.
Performs pairwise Granger causality tests between (all possible) pairs of the listed series or
group of series.
Syntax
Command: cause(n, options) ser1 ser2 ser3
Group View: group_name.cause(n, options)
In command form, you should list the series or group of series for which you wish to test
for Granger causality.
Options
You must specify the number of lags n to use for the test by providing an integer in paren-
theses after the keyword. Note that the regressors of the test equation are a constant and
the specified lags of the pair of series under test.
Other options:
Examples
To compute Granger causality tests of whether GDP Granger causes M1 and whether M1
Granger causes GDP, you may enter the command:
cause(4) gdp m1
The regressors of each test are a constant and four lags of GDP and M1.
The commands:
group macro m1 gdp r
macro.cause(12,p)
print the result of six pairwise Granger causality tests for the three series in the MACRO
group. The regressors of each test are a constant and twelve lags of the two series under
test (and do not include lagged values of the third series in the group).
Cross-references
See Granger Causality on page 376 of the Users Guide for a discussion of Grangers
approach to testing hypotheses about causality.
cause Command || Group View
p Print output of the test.
cd229
See also var (p. 500).
Copy one or more series from the DRI Basic Economics database to EViews data bank
(.DB) files.
You must have the DRI database installed on your computer to use this feature.
Syntax
Command: ccopy series_name
Type the name of the series or wildcard expression for series you want to copy after the
ccopy keyword. The data bank files will be stored in the default directory with the same
name as the series names in the DRI database. You can supply path information to indicate
the directory for the data bank files.
Examples
The command:
ccopy lhur
copies the DRI series LHUR to LHUR.DB file in the default path directory.
ccopy b:gdp c:\nipadata\gnet
copies the GDP series to GDP.DB file in the B: drive and the GNET series to the GNET.DB
file in C:\NIPADATA.
Cross-references
See also cfetch (p. 234), clabel (p. 237), store (p. 465), fetch (p. 279).
Change default directory.
The cd command changes the current default working directory. The current working
directory is displayed in the Path=... message in the bottom right of the EViews win-
dow.
Syntax
Command: cd path_name
ccopy Command
cd Command
Examples
To change the default directory to SAMPLE DATA in the A: drive, you may issue the com-
mand:
cd "a:\sample data"
Notice that the directory name is surrounded by double quotes. If your name does not con-
tain spaces, you may omit the quotes. The command:
cd a:\test
changes the default directory to A:\TEST.
Subsequent save operations will save into the default directory, unless you specify a differ-
ent directory at the time of the operation.
Cross-references
See Chapter 3, Workfile Basics, on page 43 of the Users Guide for further discussion of
basic operations in EViews.
See also wfsave (p. 512), pagesave (p. 373), and save (p. 407).
Empirical distribution functions.
Displays empirical cumulative distribution functions, survivor functions, and quantiles
functions with standard errors.
Syntax
Object View: series_name.cdfplot(options)
Note: due to the potential for extended computation times, standard errors will only be
computed if there are fewer than 2500 observations.
Options
cdfplot Group View | Series View
c (default) Plot the empirical CDF.
s Plot the empirical survivor function.
q Plot the empirical quantiles.
a Plot all CDF, survivor, and quantiles.
n Do not include standard errors.
cellipse231
Examples
To plot the empirical cumulative distribution function of the series LWAGE:
lwage.cdfplot
Cross References
See Chapter 13, Statistical Graphs from Series and Groups, on page 379 of the Users
Guide for a discussion of empirical distribution graphs.
See qqplot (p. 389).
Confidence ellipses for coefficient restrictions.
The cellipse view displays confidence ellipses for pairs of coefficient restrictions for an
estimation object.
Syntax
Object View: object_name.cellipse(options) restrictions
Enter the object name, followed by a period, and the keyword cellipse. This should be
followed by a list of the coefficient restrictions. Joint (multiple) coefficient restrictions
should be separated by commas.
q=arg
(default=r)
Compute quantiles using the definition: b (Blom), r
(Rankit-Cleveland), o (simple fraction), t (Tukey),
v (van der Waerden).
o=arg Output results to matrix. Each column of the results
matrix corresponds to one of the values used in plot-
ting: (in order) evaluation points, the value, standard
errors. If there are multiple graphs, all of the columns
for the first graph are presented prior to the columns for
the subsequent graph.
p Print the distribution function(s).
cellipse Equation View | Logl View | Pool View | Sspace View | System View
Options
Examples
The two commands:
eq1.cellipse c(1), c(2), c(3)
eq1.cellipse c(1)=0, c(2)=0, c(3)=0
both display a graph showing the 0.95-confidence ellipse for C(1) and C(2), C(1) and C(3),
and C(2) and C(3).
pool1.cellipse(dist=c,size="0.9 0.7 0.5") c(1), c(2)
displays multiple confidence ellipses (contours) for C(1) and C(2).
Cross-references
See Confidence Ellipses on page 554 of the Users Guide for discussion.
See also wald (p. 502).
ind=arg Specifies whether and how to draw the individual coef-
ficient intervals. The default is ind=line which plots
the individual coefficient intervals as dashed lines.
ind=none does not plot the individual intervals,
while ind=shade plots the individual intervals as a
shaded rectangle.
size= number
(default=0.95)
Set the size (level) of the confidence ellipse. You may
specify more than one size by specifying a space sepa-
rated list enclosed in double quotes.
dist= arg Select the distribution to use for the critical value asso-
ciated with the ellipse size. The default depends on esti-
mation object and method. If the parameter estimates
are least-squares based, the distribution is
used; if the parameter estimates are likelihood based,
the distribution will be employed. dist=f
forces use of the F-distribution, while dist=c uses
the distribution.
p Print the graph.
F 2 n 2 , ( )
2
2 ( )
2
censored233
Estimation of censored and truncated models.
Estimates models where the dependent variable is either censored or truncated. The allow-
able specifications include the standard Tobit model.
Syntax
Command: censored(options) y x1 x2 x3
Equation Method: eq_name.censored(options) y x1 x2 x3
Options
censored Command || Equation Method
l=number
(default=0)
Set value for the left censoring limit.
r=number
(default=none)
Set value for the right censoring limit.
l=series_name, i Set series name of the indicator variable for the left cen-
soring limit.
r=series_name, i Set series name of the indicator variable for the right
censoring limit.
t Estimate truncated model.
d=arg
(default=n)
Specify error distribution: normal (n), logistic (l),
Type I extreme value (x).
rithm.
b Use Berndt-Hall-Hall-Hausman for maximization algo-
rithm.
coefficients.
Examples
The command:
censored(h) hours c wage edu kids
estimates a censored regression model of HOURS on a constant, WAGE, EDU, and KIDS
with QML standard errors. This command uses the default normal likelihood, with left-
censoring at HOURS=0, no right censoring, and the quadratic hill climbing algorithm.
Cross-references
See Chapter 21, Discrete and Limited Dependent Variable Models, on page 605 of the
Users Guide for discussion of censored and truncated regression models.
Fetch a series from the DRI Basic Economics database into a workfile.
cfetch reads one or more series from the DRI Basic Economics Database into the active
workfile. You must have the DRI database installed on your computer to use this feature.
Syntax
Command: cfetch series_name
Examples
cfetch lhur gdp gnet
reads the DRI series LHUR, GDP, and GNET into the current active workfile, performing
frequency conversions if necessary.
ues.
starting values as a fraction of EViews default values
showopts /
-showopts
p Print results.
cfetch Command
checkderivs235
Cross-references
EViews automatic frequency conversion is described in Frequency Conversion begin-
ning on page 107 of the Users Guide.
See also ccopy (p. 229), clabel (p. 237), store (p. 465), fetch (p. 279).
Change default directory.
See cd (p. 229).
Check derivatives of likelihood object.
Displays a table containing information on numeric derivatives and, if available, the user-
supplied analytic derivatives.
Syntax
Logl View: logl_name.checkderiv(options)
Options
Examples
ll1.checkderiv
displays a table that evaluates the numeric derivatives of the logl object LL1.
Cross-references
See Chapter 22, The Log Likelihood (LogL) Object, on page 655 for a general discussion
of the likelihood object and the @deriv statement.
See also grads (p. 302) and makegrads (p. 337).
chdir Command
checkderivs Logl View
p Print the table of results.
Chow test for stability.
Carries out Chow breakpoint or Chow forecast tests for parameter constancy.
Syntax
Command: chow(options) obs1 [obs2 obs3 ...]
Equation View: eq_name.chow(options) obs1 [obs2 obs3 ...]
You must provide the breakpoint observations (using dates or observation numbers) to be
tested. To specify more than one breakpoint, separate the breakpoints by a space.
Options
Examples
The commands:
ls m1 c gdp cpi ar(1)
chow 1970Q1 1980Q1
perform a regression of M1 on a constant, GDP, and CPI with first order autoregressive
errors, and employ a Chow breakpoint test to determine whether the parameters before the
1970s, during the 1970s, and after the 1970s are stable.
To regress the log of SPOT on a constant, the log of P_US, and the log of P_UK, and to
carry out the Chow forecast test starting from 1973, enter the commands:
equation ppp.ls log(spot) c log(p_us) log(p_uk)
ppp.chow(f) 1973
Cross-references
See Chow's Breakpoint Test on page 568 of the Users Guide for further discussion.
See also rls (p. 400).
chow Command || Equation View
f Chow forecast test. For this option, you must specify a
single breakpoint to test (default performs breakpoint
test).
p Print the result of test.
cleartext237
Display a DRI Basic Economics database series description.
clabel reads the description of a series from the DRI Basic Economics Database and dis-
plays it in the status line at the bottom of the EViews window.
Use this command to verify the contents of a given DRI database series name. You must
have the DRI database installed on your computer to use this feature.
Syntax
Command: clabel series_name
Examples
clabel lhur
displays the description of the DRI series LHUR on the status line.
Cross-references
See also ccopy (p. 229), cfetch (p. 234), read (p. 391), fetch (p. 279).
Clear restriction text from a var object.
Syntax
Var Proc: var_name.cleartext(arg)
You must specify the text type you wish to clear using one of the following arguments:
Examples
var1.cleartext(svar)
var1.append(svar) @lr2(@u1) = 0
The first line clears the structural VAR identifying restrictions in VAR1. The next line speci-
fies a new long-run restriction for a structural factorization.
clabel Command
cleartext Var Proc
svar Clear text of identifying restrictions for a structural
VAR.
coint Clear text of restrictions on the cointegration relations
and/or adjustment coefficients.
Cross-references
See Chapter 24, Vector Autoregression and Error Correction Models, on page 705 of the
Users Guide for a discussion of VARs.
See also append (p. 202).
Close object, program, or workfile.
Closing an object eliminates its window. If the object is named, it is still displayed in the
workfile as an icon, otherwise it is deleted. Closing a program or workfile eliminates its
window and removes it from memory. If a workfile has changed since you activated it, you
will see a dialog box asking if you want to save it to disk.
Syntax
Command: close object_name
Examples
close gdp graph1 table2
closes the three objects GDP, GRAPH1, and TABLE2.
lwage.hist
close lwage
opens the LWAGE window and displays the histogram view of LWAGE, then closes the win-
dow.
Cross-references
See Chapter 1, Introduction, on page 11 of the Users Guide for a discussion of basic con-
trol of EViews.
Declare a coefficient (column) vector.
Syntax
Command: coef(n) coef_name
Follow the coef keyword with the number of coefficients in parentheses, and a name for
the object. If you omit the number of coefficients, EViews will create a vector of length 1.
close Command
coef Object Declaration
coefcov239
Examples
coef(2) slope
ls lwage = c(1)+slope(1)*edu+slope(2)*edu^2
The first line declares a coef object of length 2 named SLOPE. The second line estimates a
least squares regression and stores the estimated slope coefficients in SLOPE.
arch(2,2) sp500 c
coef beta = c
coef(6) beta
The first line estimates a GARCH(2,2) model using the default coef vector C (note that the
C in an equation specification refers to the constant term, a series of ones.) The second
line declares a coef object named BETA and copies the contents of C to BETA (the C in
the assignment statement refers to the default coef vector). The third line resizes BETA to
chop off all elements except the first six. Note that since EViews stores coefficients with
equations for later use, you will generally not need to perform this operation to save your
coefficient vectors.
Cross-references
See Coef on page 153 for a full description of the coef object. See also vector (p. 501).
Coefficient covariance matrix.
Displays the covariances of the coefficient estimates for objects containing an estimated
equation or equations.
Syntax
Object View: object_name.coefcov(options)
Options
Examples
The set of commands:
equation eq1.ls lwage c edu edu^2 union
eq1.coefcov
coefcov Equation View | Logl View | Pool View | Sspace View | System View
p Print the coefficient covariance matrix.
declares and estimates equation EQ1 and displays the coefficient covariance matrix in a
window. To store the coefficient covariance matrix as a sym object, use @coefcov:
sym eqcov = eq1.@coefcov
Cross-references
See also coef (p. 238) and spec (p. 454).
Johansens cointegration test.
Syntax
Command: coint(test_option,n,option) y1 y2 [y3 ...]
Command: coint(test_option,n,option) y1 y2 [y3 ...] [@ x1 x2 x3 ...]
Group View: group_name.coint(test_option,n,option)
Var View: var_name.coint(test_option,n,option) [@ x1 x2 x3 ...]
In command form, you should enter the coint keyword followed by a list of series or
group names for you wish to test for cointegration. Each name should be separated by a
space. To use exogenous variables, such as seasonal dummy variables, in the test, list the
names after an @-sign.
When used as a group or var view, coint tests for cointegration among the series in the
group or var. By default, if the var object contains exogenous variables, the cointegration
test will use those exogenous variables; however, if you explicitly list the exogenous vari-
ables with an @-sign, then only the listed variables will be used in the test.
The EViews 5 output for cointegration tests now displays p-values for the rank test statis-
tics. These p-values are computed using the response surface coefficients as estimated in
MacKinnon, et. al. (1999). The 0.05 critical values are now based on the response surface
coefficients from MacKinnon-Haug-Michelis. Note: the reported critical values assume no
exogenous variables other than an intercept and trend.
Options
You must specify the test option followed by the number of lags n. You must choose one of
the following six test options:
coint Command || Group View | Var View
a No deterministic trend in the data, and no intercept or
trend in the cointegrating equation.
coint241
Other Options:
b No deterministic trend in the data, and an intercept but
no trend in the cointegrating equation.
c Linear trend in the data, and an intercept but no trend
in the cointegrating equation.
d Linear trend in the data, and both an intercept and a
e Quadratic trend in the data, and both an intercept and a
s Summarize the results of all 5 options (a-e).
restrict Impose restrictions as specified by the append (coint)
proc.
m = integer Maximum number of iterations for restricted estimation
(only valid if you choose the restrict option).
c = scalar Convergence criterion for restricted estimation. (only
valid if you choose the restrict option).
save = mat_name Stores test statistics as a named matrix object. The
save= option stores a matrix, where is
the number of endogenous variables in the VAR. The
first column contains the eigenvalues, the second col-
umn contains the maximum eigenvalue statistics, the
third column contains the trace statistics, and the fourth
column contains the log likelihood values. The i-th row
of columns 2 and 3 are the test statistics for rank .
The last row is filled with NAs, except the last column
which contains the log likelihood value of the unre-
stricted (full rank) model.
cvtype=ol Display 0.05 and 0.01 critical values from Osterwald-
Lenum (1992).
This option reproduces the output from version 4. The
default is to display critical values based on the
response surface coefficients from MacKinnon-Haug-
Michelis (1999). Note that the argument on the right
side of the equals sign are letters, not numbers 0-1).
k 1 + ( ) 4 k
i 1
Examples
coint(s,4) gdp m1 tb3
summarizes the results of the Johansen cointegration test among the three series GDP, M1,
and TB3 for all five specifications of trend. The test equation uses lags of up to order four.
var1.coint(c,12) @
carries out the Johansen test for the series in the var object named VAR1. The @-sign
without a list of exogenous variables ensures that the test does not include any exogenous
variables in VAR1.
Cross-references
See Cointegration Test on page 723 of the Users Guide for details on the Johansen test.
See also ec (p. 271).
Adds or removes a comment in a table cell.
Syntax
Table Proc: table_name.comment(cell_arg) [comment_arg]
where cell_arg, which identifies the cell, can take one of the following forms:
and where comment_arg is a string expression enclosed in double quotes. If command_arg
is omitted, a previously defined comment will be removed.
cvsize=arg
(default=0.05)
Specify the size of MacKinnon-Haug-Michelis (1999)
critical values to be displayed. The size must be
between 0.0001 and 0.9999; values outside this range
will be reset to the default value of 0.05. This option is
ignored if you set cvtype=ol.
p Print output of the test.
comment Table Proc
cell Cell identifier. You can reference cells using either the
column letter and row number (e.g., A1), or by using
R followed by the row number followed by C and
the column number (e.g., R1C2).
row[,] col Row number, followed by column letter or number
(e.g., 2,C, or 2,3), separated by ,.
control243
Examples
To add a comment, hello world, to the cell in the second row, fourth column, you may
use one of the following:
tab1.comment(d2) "hello world"
tab1.comment(r2c4) "hello world"
tab1.comment(2,d) "hello world"
tab1.comment(2,4) "hello world"
To remove a comment, simply omit the comment_arg:
tab1.comment(d2)
clears the comment (if present) from the second row, fourth column.
Cross-references
For additional discussion of tables see Chapter 4, Working with Tables. See also set-
lines (p. 440) and setmerge (p. 441).
Solve for values of control variable so that the target series matches a trajectory.
Syntax
Model Proc: model_name.control control_var target_var trajectory
Specify the name of the control variable, followed by the target variable, and then the tra-
jectory you wish to achieve for the target variable. EViews will solve for the values of the
control so that the target equals the trajectory over the current workfile sample.
Examples
m1.control myvar targetvar trajvar
will put into MYVAR the values that lead the solution of the model for TARGETVAR to
match TRAJVAR for the workfile sample.
Cross-references
See Solve Control for Target on page 800 of the Users Guide. See Chapter 26, Models,
control Model Proc
Copy an object. Duplicate objects within and across workfiles and databases.
Syntax
Command: copy(options) src_object_name dest_object_name
To make copies of the object within the active workfile, list the name of the original object,
followed by the name for the copy. To make copies of objects within a database, you can
precede the name of the object with the database name and a double colon ::.
You may also copy objects between a workfile and a database, or between two databases.
Simply prefix the object name with the database name and double colon ::.
You can copy several objects with one command by using the wild card characters ? (to
match any single character) and * (to match zero or more characters).
Options
When copying a group object from a workfile to a database:
When copying a group object from a database to a workfile:
The following options control the frequency conversion method when copying series and
group objects to a workfile, converting from low to high frequency:
group objects to a workfile, converting from high to low frequency:
copy Command
g=arg Group copy from workfile to database: s (copy group
definition and series as separate objects), t (copy
group definition and series as one object), d (copy
series only as separate objects), l (copy group defini-
tion only).
g=arg Group copy from database to workfile: b (copy both
group definition and series), d (copy only the series),
l (copy only the group definition).
c=arg Low to high conversion methods: r (constant match
average), d (constant match sum), q (quadratic
match average), t (quadratic match sum), i (linear
match last), c (cubic match last).
copy245
Note that if no conversion method is specified, the series specific default conversion
method or the global settings will be employed.
Examples
copy good_equation best_equation
makes a copy of GOOD_EQUATION at names it BEST_EQUATION.
copy gdp usdat::gdp
copies GDP in the current workfile to the series GDP in the USDAT database. To copy GDP
in the default database to the database named MACRO1 with the new name, GDP_US,
use the command:
copy ::gdp macro1::gdp_us
The command:
copy ::gdp ::gdp2
makes a backup copy of GDP in the default database with a different name GDP2.
copy gd* findat::
makes a duplicate of all objects in the current workfile with name starting with GD to
the database named FINDAT.
Cross-references
See Copying Objects on page 262 of the Users Guide for a discussion of copying and
moving objects.
See also fetch (p. 279), setconvert (p. 424), and store (p. 465).
c=arg High to low conversion methods removing NAs: a
(average of the nonmissing observations), s (sum of
the nonmissing observations), f (first nonmissing
observation), l (last nonmissing observation), x
(maximum nonmissing observation), m (minimum
nonmissing observation).
High to low conversion methods propagating NAs: an
or na (average, propagating missings), sn or ns
(sum, propagating missings), fn or nf (first, propa-
gating missings), ln or nl (last, propagating miss-
ings), xn or nx (maximum, propagating missings),
mn or nm (minimum, propagating missings).
Correlation matrix.
Syntax
Command: cor(options) ser1 ser2 ser3
Group View: group_name.cor(options)
Matrix View: matrix_name.cor(options)
In command form, EViews creates an untitled group from the listed series, then displays
the correlation matrix view for that group. When used as a matrix view, cor displays the
correlation matrix computed from the columns of the matrix.
Options
Examples
cor height weight age
displays a 3 by 3 correlation matrix for the three series HEIGHT, WEIGHT, and AGE.
group mygroup height weight age
mygroup.cor
displays the equivalent view using the group MYGROUP.
Cross-references
See also cov (p. 250), @cor (p. 584), and @cov (p. 584).
Display autocorrelation and partial correlations.
Displays the autocorrelation and partial correlation functions of the specified series,
together with the Q-statistics and p-values associated with each lag.
When used with equation objects, correl displays the correlogram of the residuals of the
equation.
cor Command || Group View | Matrix View | Sym View
i Compute correlations using pairwise samples (default is
to use the common sample).
p Print the correlation matrix.
correl Equation View | Group View | Series View | Var View
correlsq247
Syntax
Object View: object_name.correl(n, options)
You must specify the largest lag n to use when computing the autocorrelations.
Options
Var View Options:
Examples
m1.correl(24)
Displays the correlograms of the M1 series for up to 24 lags.
Cross-references
See Autocorrelations (AC) on page 314 and Partial Autocorrelations (PAC) on page 315
of the Users Guide for a discussion of autocorrelation and partial correlation functions,
respectively.
See also correlsq (p. 247).
Correlogram of squared residuals.
Displays the autocorrelation and partial correlation functions of the squared residuals from
an estimated equation, together with the Q-statistics and p-values associated with each
lag.
Syntax
View: equation_name.correl(n, options)
Options
p Print the correlograms.
graph Display correlograms (graphs).
byser Display autocorrelations in tabular form, by series.
bylag Display autocorrelations in tabular form, by lag.
correlsq Equation View
n Specify the number of lags of the correlograms to dis-
play.
Examples
eq1.correl(24)
displays the correlograms of the squared residuals of EQ1 up to 24 lags.
Cross-references
See Autocorrelations (AC) on page 314 and Partial Autocorrelations (PAC) on page 315
of the Users Guide for a discussion of autocorrelation and partial correlation functions,
respectively.
See also correl (p. 246).
Estimates models where the dependent variable is a nonnegative integer count.
Syntax
Command: count(options) y x1 x2 x3
Equation Method: eq_name.count(options) y x1 x2 x3
Follow the count keyword by the name of the dependent variable and a list of regressors.
Options
p Print the correlograms.
count Command || Equation Method
d=arg
(default=p)
Likelihood specification: Poisson likelihood (p), nor-
mal quasi-likelihood (n), exponential likelihood
(e), negative binomial likelihood or quasi-likelihood
(b).
v=positive_num
(default=1)
Specify fixed value for QML parameter in normal and
negative binomial quasi-likelihoods.
q (default Use quadratic hill-climbing as the maximization algo-
rithm.
b Use Berndt-Hall-Hall-Hausman as the maximization
algorithm.
count249
Examples
The command:
count(d=n,v=2,g) y c x1 x2
estimates a normal QML count model of Y on a constant, X1, and X2, with fixed variance
parameter 2, and GLM standard errors.
equation eq1.count arrest c job police
eq1.makeresid(g) res_g
estimates a Poisson count model of ARREST on a constant, JOB, and POLICE, and stores
the generalized residuals in the series RES_G.
equation eq1.count(d=p) y c x1
eq1.fit yhat
estimates a Poisson count model of Y on a constant and X1, and saves the fitted values
(conditional mean) in the series YHAT.
equation eq1.count(d=p, h) y c x1
estimates the same model with QML standard errors and covariances.
Cross-references
See Count Models on page 642 of the Users Guide for additional discussion.
coefficients.
ues.
starting values as a fraction of the EViews default val-
ues (out of range values are set to s=1).
Compute covariance matrix.
Syntax
Command: cov(options) arg1 [arg2 arg3 ...]
Group View: group_name.cov(options)
Matrix View: matrix_name.cov(options)
In command form, EViews will create an untitled group from the listed series or groups,
then will display the covariance matrix view for that group. When used as a matrix view,
cov displays the covariance matrix computed from the columns of the matrix.
Options
Examples
group grp1 height weight age
grp1.cov
displays a covariance matrix for the three series in GRP1.
Cross-references
See also cor (p. 246), @cor (p. 584), and @cov (p. 584).
Create workfile.
No longer supported. This command has been replaced by wfcreate (p. 503) and
pagecreate (p. 369).
cov Command || Group View | Matrix View | Sym View
i Compute covariances using pairwise samples (default is
to use the common sample).
create Command
3 3
cross251
Displays cross correlations (correlograms) for a pair of series.
Syntax
Command: cross(n,options) arg1 [arg2 arg3 ...]
Group View: group_name.cross(n,options)
You must specify the number of lags n to use in computing the cross correlations as the
first option. In command form, EViews will create an untitled group from the specified
series and groups, and will display the cross correlation view for the group. When used as
a group view, cross correlations will be computed for the first two series in the group.
Options
The following options may be specified inside the parentheses after the number of lags:
Examples
cross(36) log(m1) dlog(cpi)
displays the cross correlogram between the log of M1 and the first difference of the log of
CPI, using up to 36 leads and lags.
eq1.makeresid(s) res_std
cross(24) res_std^2 res_std
The first line estimates a GARCH(1,1) model and the second line retrieves the standardized
residuals. The third line plots the cross correlogram squared standardized residual and the
standardized residual, up to 24 leads and lags . This correlogram provides a rough check of
asymmetry in the ARCH effect.
Cross-references
See Cross Correlations and Correlograms on page 375 of the Users Guide for discussion.
cross Command || Group View
p Print the cross correlogram.
Enter data from keyboard.
Opens an unnamed group window to edit one or more series.
Syntax
Command: data arg1 [arg2 arg3 ...]
Follow the data keyword by a list of series and group names. You can list existing names
or new names. Unrecognized names will cause new series to be added to the workfile.
These series will be initialized with the value NA.
Examples
data group1 newx newy
opens a group window containing the series in group GROUP1, and the series NEWX and
NEWY.
Cross-references
See Entering Data on page 98 of the Users Guide for a discussion of the process of enter-
ing data from the keyboard.
Control labeling of the bottom date/time axis in time plots.
dates sets options that are specific to appearance of time/date labeling. Many of the
options that also affect the appearance of the date axis are set by the axis (p. 213) com-
mand with the bottom option. These options include tick control, label and font options,
and grid lines.
Syntax
Graph Proc: graph_name.datelabel option_list
data Command
datelabel Graph Proc
datelabel253
Options
Examples
graph1.datelabel format(yyyy:mm)
will display dates using four-digit years followed by the default delimiter : and a two-
digit month (e.g. 1974:04).
graph1.datelabel format(yy:mm, q)
will display a two-digit year followed by a q separator and then a two-digit month (e.g.
74q04)
graph1.datelabel interval(y, 2, 1951)
specifies labels every two years on odd numbered years.
format(dateformat
[,delimiter])
Specify date format: dateformat=auto or datefor-
mat=string, where the string argument is one of the
supported formats: yy, yyyy:mm, yyyy:q, yy:q,
mm:dd:yyyy, mm:dd:yy. Each letter represents a
single display digit representing year (y), quarter
(q), month (m), and day (d). The optional delim-
iter argument allows you to control the date separator.
interval(step_size
[,steps][,align_date])
where step_size takes one of the following values:
auto (steps and align_date are ignored), ends (only
label endpoints; steps and align_date are ignored), all
(label every point; the steps and align_date options are
ignored), obs (steps are one observation), year
(steps are one year), m (steps are one month), q
(steps are one quarter).
steps is a number (default=1) indicating the number of
steps between labels.
align_date is a date specified to receive a label.
Note, the align_date should be in the units of the data
being graphed, but may lie outside the current sample
or workfile range.
span / span [Allow/Do not allow] date labels to span an interval.
Consider the case of a yearly label with monthly ticks.
If span is on, the label is centered on the 12 monthly
ticks. If the span option is off, year labels are put on
the first quarter or month of the year.
Cross-references
See also axis (p. 213), scale (p. 410). options (p. 358), and setelem (p. 426).
See the replacement command datelabel (p. 252).
Open or create a database.
If the specified database does not exist, a new (empty) database will be created and
opened. The opened database will become the default database.
Syntax
Command: db(options) [path\]db_name [as shorthand_name]
Follow the db command by the name of the database to be opened or to be created (if it
does not already exist). You may include a path name to work with a database not in the
default path.
You may use the as keyword to provide an optional shorthand_name or short text label
which may be used to refer to the database in commands and programs. If you leave this
field blank, a default shorthand_name will be assigned automatically. See Database Short-
hands on page 257 of the Users Guide for additional discussion.
Options
See dbopen (p. 257) for a list of available options for working with foreign format data-
bases.
Examples
db findat
opens the database FINDAT in the default path and makes it the default database from
which to store and fetch objects. If the database FINDAT does not already exist, an empty
database named FINDAT will be created and opened.
dates Graph Proc
db Command
dbcreate255
Cross-references
See Chapter 10, EViews Databases, on page 253 of the Users Guide for a discussion of
EViews databases.
See also dbcreate (p. 255) and dbopen (p. 257).
Make a copy of an existing database.
Syntax
Command: dbcopy [path\]source_name [path\]copy_name
Follow the dbcopy command by the name of the existing database and a name for the
copy. You should include a path name to copy from or to a database that is not in the
default directory. All files associated with the database will be copied.
Examples
dbcopy usdat c:\backup\usdat
makes a copy of all files associated with the database USDAT in the default path and stores
it in the C:\BACKUP directory under the name USDAT.
Cross-references
EViews databases.
See also dbrename (p. 259) and dbdelete (p. 256).
Create a new database.
Syntax
Command: dbcreate [path\]db_name [as shorthand_name]
Follow the dbcreate keyword by a name for the new database. You may include a path
name to create a database not in the default directory. The new database will become the
default database.
dbcopy Command
dbcreate Command
You may use the as keyword to provide an optional shorthand_name or a short text label
which may be used to refer to the open database in commands and programs. If you leave
this field blank, a default shorthand_name will be assigned automatically. See Database
Shorthands on page 257 of the Users Guide for additional discussion.
Examples
dbcreate macrodat
creates a new database named MACRODAT in the default path, and makes it the default
database from which to store and fetch objects. This command will issue an error message
if a database named MACRODAT already exists. To open an existing database, use dbopen
(p. 257) or db (p. 254).
Cross-references
EViews databases.
See also db (p. 254) and dbopen (p. 257).
Delete an existing database (all files associated with the specified database).
Syntax
Command: dbdelete [path\]db_name
Follow the dbdelete keyword by the name of the database to be deleted. You may
include a path name to delete a database not in the default path.
Examples
dbdelete c:\temp\testdat
deletes all files associated with the TESTDAT database in the specified directory.
Cross-references
EViews databases.
See also dbcopy (p. 255) and dbdelete (p. 256).
dbdelete Command
dbopen257
Open an existing database.
Syntax
Command: dbopen(options) [path\]db_name [as shorthand_name]
Follow the dbopen keyword with the name of a database. You should include a path name
to open a database not in the default path. The opened database will become the default
database.
You may use the as keyword to provide an optional shorthand_name or a short text label
which is used to refer to the open database in commands and programs. If you leave this
field blank, a default shorthand_name will be assigned automatically. See Database Short-
hands on page 257 of the Users Guide for additional discussion.
By default, EViews will use the extension of the database file to determine type. For exam-
ple, files with the extension .EDB will be opened as an EViews database, while files with
the extension .IN7 will be opened as a GiveWin database. You may use options to specify
an explicit type.
Options
The following options may be required when connecting to a remote server:
dbopen Command
type=arg, t=arg Specify the database type: AREMOS-TSD (a, are-
mos, tsd), DRIBase (b, dribase), EViews (e,
evdb), FAME (f, fame), GiveWin/PcGive (g,
give), Haver Analytics (h, haver), Rats Portable/
Troll (l, trl), RATS 4.x (r, rats), TSP portable
(t, tsp).
s=server_ id,
server=server_id
Server name.
u=user,
username=user
Username.
p=pswd,
password=pswd
Password.
Examples
dbopen c:\data\us1
opens a database named US1 in the C:\DATA directory. The command:
dbopen us1
opens a database in the default path. If the specified database does not exist, EViews will
issue an error message. You should use db (p. 254) or dbcreate (p. 255) to create a new
database.
Cross-references
EViews databases.
See also db (p. 254) and dbcreate (p. 255).
Pack an existing database.
Syntax
Command: dbpack [path\]db_name
Follow the dbpack keyword by a database name. You may include a path name to pack a
database not in the default path.
Examples
dbpack findat
packs the database named FINDAT in the default path.
Cross-references
See Packing the Database on page 280 of the Users Guide for additional discussion.
See also dbrebuild (p. 258) and dbrepair (p. 260)
Rebuild an existing database.
Rebuild a seriously damaged database into a new database file.
dbpack Command
dbrebuild Command
dbrename259
Syntax
Command: dbrebuild [path\]source_name [path\]dest_name
Follow the dbrebuild keyword by the name of the database to be rebuilt, and then a new
database name.
Examples
If you issue the command:
dbrebuild testdat fixed_testdat
EViews will attempt to rebuild the database TESTDAT into the database FIXED_TESTDAT
in the default directory.
Cross-references
Note that dbrepair may be able to repair the existing database if the damage is not par-
ticularly serious. You should attempt to repair the database before rebuilding. See Main-
taining the Database on page 279 of the Users Guide for a discussion.
See also dbpack (p. 258) and dbrepair (p. 260).
Rename an existing database.
dbrename renames all files associated with the specified database.
Syntax
Command: dbrename [path\]old_name [path\]new_name
Follow the dbrename keyword with the current name of an existing database and the new
name for the database.
Examples
dbrename testdat mydat
Renames all files associated with the TESTDAT database in the specified directory to
MYDAT in the default directory.
Cross-references
EViews databases.
dbrename Command
See also db (p. 254) and dbcreate (p. 255). See also dbcopy (p. 255) and dbdelete
(p. 256).
Repair an existing database.
This command is used to repair a damaged database.
Syntax
Command: dbrepair [path\]db_name
Follow the dbrepair keyword by the name of the database to repair. You should include a
path name to repair a database not in the default path.
Examples
dbrepair testdat
EViews will attempt to repair the database TESTDAT in the default directory.
Cross-references
If the database is so damaged that it cannot be repaired, you may have to rebuild it into a
new database using the dbrebuild (p. 258) command. See Maintaining the Database
on page 279 of the Users Guide for a discussion of EViews database maintenance.
See also dbpack (p. 258) and dbrebuild (p. 258).
Variance decomposition in VARs.
Syntax
Var View: var_name.decomp(n, options) series_list [@ @ ordering]
List the series names in the VAR whose variance decomposition you would like to com-
pute. You may optionally specify the ordering for the factorization after two @-signs.
You must specify the number of periods over which to compute the variance decompo-
sitions.
dbrepair Command
decomp Var View
n
decomp261
Options
If you use the matbys= or matbyr= options to store the results in a matrix, two matri-
ces will be returned. The matrix with the specified name contains the variance decomposi-
tions, while the matrix with _FSE appended to the name contains the forecast standard
errors for each response variable. If you have requested Monte Carlo standard errors, there
will be a third matrix with _SE appended to the name which contains the variance
decomposition standard errors.
g (default) Display combined graphs, with the decompositions for
each variable shown in a graph.
m Display multiple graphs, with each response-shock pair
shown in a separate graph.
t Show numerical results in table.
imp=arg
(default=chol)
Type of factorization for the decomposition: chol
(Cholesky with d.f. correction), mlechol (Cholesky
without d.f. correction), struct (structural).
The structural factorization is based on the estimated
structural VAR. To use this option, you must first esti-
mate the structural decomposition; see svar (p. 469).
The option imp=mlechol is provided for backward
compatibility with EViews 3.x and earlier.
se=mc Monte Carlo standard errors. You must specify the num-
ber of replications with the rep= option.
Currently available only when you have specified the
Cholesky factorization (using the imp=chol option).
rep=integer Number of Monte Carlo replications to be used in com-
puting the standard errors. Must be used with the
se=mc option.
matbys=name Save responses by shocks (impulses) in named matrix.
The first column is the response of the first variable to
the first shock, the second column is the response of
the second variable to the first shock, and so on.
matbyr=name Save responses by response series in named matrix.
the first variable to the second shock, and so on.
p Print results.
Examples
var var1.ls 1 4 m1 gdp cpi
var1.decomp(10,t) gdp
The first line declares and estimates a VAR with three variables and lags from 1 to 4. The
second line tabulates the variance decompositions of GDP up to 10 periods using the order-
ing as specified in VAR1.
var1.decomp(10,t) gdp @ @ cpi gdp m1
performs the same variance decomposition as above using a different ordering.
Cross-references
See Variance Decomposition on page 715 of the Users Guide for additional details.
See also impulse (p. 311).
Define cross section members (identifiers) in a pool.
Syntax
Pool View: pool_name.define id1 [id2 id3 ...]
List the cross section identifiers after the define keyword.
Examples
pool spot uk jpn ger can
spot.def uk ger ita fra
The first line declares a pool object named SPOT with cross section identifiers UK, JPN,
GER, and CAN. The second line redefines the identifiers to be UK, GER, ITA, and FRA.
Cross-references
See Chapter 27, Pooled Time Series, Cross-Section Data, on page 809 of the Users Guide
for a discussion of cross-section identifiers.
See also add (p. 196), drop (p. 270) and pool (p. 386).
define Pool Proc
delete263
Deletes objects from a workfile or a database, or removes identifiers from a pool.
Syntax
Command: delete arg1 [arg2 arg3 ...]
Pool Proc: pool_name.delete pool_ser1 [pool_ser2 pool_ser3 ...]
Follow the keyword by a list of the names of any objects you wish to remove from the cur-
rent workfile. Deleting does not remove objects that have been stored on disk in EViews
database files.
You can delete an object from a database by prefixing the name with the database name
and a double colon. You can use a pattern to delete all objects from a workfile or database
with names that match the pattern. Use the ? to match any one character and the * to
match zero or more characters.
When used as a pool procedure, delete allows you to delete series from the workfile using
pool series names. You may use the cross-section identifier placeholder ? in the series
names.
If you use delete in a program file, EViews will delete the listed objects without prompt-
ing you to confirm each deletion.
Examples
To delete all objects in the workfile with names beginning with TEMP, you may use the
command:
delete temp*
To delete the objects CONS and INVEST from the database MACRO1, use:
delete macro1::cons macro1::invest
To delete all series in the workfile with names beginning with CPI that are followed by
identifiers in the pool object MYPOOL.
mypool.delete cpi?
Cross-references
See Chapter 4, Object Basics, on page 65 of the Users Guide for a discussion of working
with objects, and Chapter 10, EViews Databases, on page 253 of the Users Guide for a
discussion of EViews databases.
delete Command || Pool Proc
Examine derivatives of the equation specification.
Display information about the derivatives of the equation specification in tabular, graphi-
cal, or summary form.
The (default) summary form shows information about how the derivative of the equation
specification was computed, and will display the analytic expression for the derivative, or
a note indicating that the derivative was computed numerically. The tabular form shows a
spreadsheet view of the derivatives of the regression specification with respect to each
coefficient (for each observation). The graphical form of the view shows this information
in a multiple line graph.
Syntax
Equation View: equation_name.derivs(options)
Options
Note that the g and t options may not be used at the same time.
Examples
To show a table view of the derivatives:
eq1.derivs(t)
To display and print the summary view:
eq1.derivs(p)
Cross-references
See Derivative Computation Options on page 930 of the Users Guide for details on the
computation of derivatives.
derivs Equation View | System View
g Display multiple graph showing the derivatives of the
equation specification with respect to the coefficients,
evaluated at each observation.
t Display spreadsheet view of the values of the deriva-
tives with respect to the coefficients evaluated at each
observation.
p Print results.
describe265
See also makederivs (p. 335) for additional routines for examining derivatives, and
grads (p. 302), and makegrads (p. 337) for corresponding routines for gradients.
Computes and displays descriptive statistics for the pooled data.
Syntax
Pool View: pool_name.describe(options) pool_ser1 [pool_ser2 pool_ser3 ...]
List the name of pool series for which you wish to compute descriptive statistics. You may
use the cross-section identifier ? in the series names.
By default, statistics are computed for each stacked pool series, using only common obser-
vations where all of the cross-sections for a given series have nonmissing data. A missing
observation for a series in any one cross-section causes that observation to be dropped for
all cross-sections for the corresponding series. You may change the default treatment of
NAs using the i and b options.
EViews also allows you to compute statistics with the cross-section means removed, statis-
tics for each cross-sectional series in a pool series, and statistics for each period, taken
across all cross-section units.
Options
describe Pool View
m Stack data and subtract cross-section specific means
from each variablethis option provides the within
estimators.
c Do not stack datacompute statistics individually for
each cross-sectional unit.
t Time period specificcompute statistics for each
period, taken over all cross-section identifiers.
i Individual sampleincludes every valid observation for
the series even if data are missing from other series in
the list.
b Balanced sampleconstrains each cross-section to have
the same observations. If an observation is missing for
any series, in any cross-section, it will be dropped for
all cross-sections.
p Print the descriptive statistics.
Examples
pool1.describe(m) gdp? inv? cpi?
displays the within descriptive statistics of the three series GDP, INV, CPI for the POOL1
cross-section members.
pool1.describe(t) gdp?
computes the statistics for GDP for each period, taken across each of the cross-section
identifiers.
Cross-references
for a discussion of the computation of these statistics, and a description of individual and
balanced samples.
Display names for objects.
Attaches a display name to an object which may be used in tables and graphs in place of
the standard object name.
Syntax
Object Proc: object_name.displayname display_name
Display names are case-sensitive, and may contain a variety of characters, such as spaces,
that are not allowed in object names.
Examples
hrs.displayname Hours Worked
hrs.label
The first line attaches a display name Hours Worked to the object HRS, and the second
line displays the label view of HRS, including its display name.
gdp.displayname US Gross Domestic Product
plot gdp
The first line attaches a display name US Gross Domestic Product to the series GDP. The
line graph view of GDP from the second line will use the display name as the legend.
displayname Object Proc
draw267
Cross-references
See Labeling Objects on page 74 of the Users Guide for a discussion of labels and dis-
play names.
See also label (p. 317) and legend (p. 319)
Execute without opening window.
Syntax
Command: do procedure
do is most useful in EViews programs where you wish to run a series of commands with-
out opening windows in the workfile area.
Examples
output(t) c:\result\junk1
do gdp.adf(c, 4, p)
The first line redirects table output to a file on disk. The second line carries out a unit root
test of GDP without opening a window, and prints the results to the disk file.
Cross-references
See also show (p. 445).
Place horizontal or vertical lines and shaded areas on the graph.
Syntax
Graph Proc: graph_name.draw(draw_type, axis_id [,options]) position1
[position2]
where draw_type may be one of the following:
and where axis_id may take the values:
do Command
draw Graph Proc
line / l A solid line
dashline / d A dashed line
shade A shaded area
If drawing a line, the drawing position is taken from position1. If drawing a shaded area,
you must provide a position1 and position2 to define the boundaries of the shaded region.
Line/Shade Options
The following options may be provided to change the characteristics of the specified line or
shade:
Other Options
Examples
graph1.draw(line, left, rgb(0,0,127)) 5.25
draws a horizontal blue line at the value 5.25 as measured on the left axis while:
left / l Draw a horizontal line or shade using the left axis to
define the drawing position
right / r Draw a horizontal line or shade using the right axis to
bottom / b Draw a vertical line or shade using the bottom axis to
color(arg) /
color(n1,n2,n3)
Specifies the color of the line or shade. the argument
may be made up of n1, n2, and n3, a set of three inte-
gers from 0 to 255, representing the RGB values of the
line or shade, or it may be one of the predefined color
keywords (see setfillcolor (p. 429)).
The default is black for lines and gray for shades. RGB
values may be examined by calling up the color palette
in the Graph Options dialog.
rgb(n1,n2,n3) Specify the color of the line or shade using RGB values,
where n1, n2, and n3, are integers from 0 to 255 repre-
senting the RGB values of the line or shade. Provided
for backward compatibility; same as using the color
option with three RGB values.
width(n1) Specify the width, where n1 is the line width in points
(used only if object_type is line or dashline). The
default is 0.5 points.
p Print the graph object
driconvert269
graph1.draw(shade, right) 7.1 9.7
draws a shaded horizontal region bounded by the right axis values 7.1 and 9.7. You
may also draw vertical regions by using the bottom axis_id:
graph1.draw(shade, bottom) 1980:1 1990:2
draws a shaded vertical region bounded by the dates 1980:1 and 1990:2.
Cross-references
See also Graph (p. 159) for a summary of the graph object command language.
Convert the entire DRI Basic Economics database into an EViews database.
You must create an EViews database to store the converted DRI data before you use this
command. This command may be very time-consuming.
Syntax
Command: driconvert db_name
Follow the command by listing the name of an existing EViews database into which you
would like to copy the DRI data. You may include a path name to specify a database not in
the default path.
Examples
dbcreate dribasic
driconvert dribasic
driconvert c:\mydata\dridbase
The first line creates a new (empty) database named DRIBASIC in the default directory.
The second line copies all the data in the DRI Basic Economics database into in the DRIB-
ASIC database. The last example copies the DRI data into the database DRIDBASE that is
located in the C:\MYDATA directory.
Cross-references
EViews databases.
driconvert Command
See also dbcreate (p. 255) and db (p. 254).
Drops series from a group or drop cross-section members from a pool.
Syntax
Group Proc: group_name.drop ser1 [ser2 ser3 ...]
Pool Proc: pool_name.drop id1 [id2 id3 ...]
List the series or cross-section members to be dropped from the group or pool.
Examples
group gdplags gdp(-1 to -4)
gdplags.drop gdp(-4) gdp(-3)
drops the two series GDP(-4) and GDP(-3) from the group GDPLAGS.
crossc.drop jpn kor hk
drops the cross-section members JPN, KOR, and HK from the pool CROSSSC.
Cross-references
See Groups on page 85 of the Users Guide for additional discussion of groups. Cross-
section Identifiers on page 811 of the Users Guide discusses pool identifiers.
See also add (p. 196).
Dated data report table.
This group view is designed to make tables for reporting and presenting data, forecasts,
and simulation results. You can display various transformations and various frequencies of
the data in the same table.
The dtable view is currently available only for annual, semi-annual, quarterly, or
monthly workfiles.
Syntax
Group View: group_name.dtable(options)
drop Group Proc | Pool Proc
dtable Group View
ec271
Options
Examples
freeze(report) group1.dtable
freezes the dated table view of GROUP1 and saves it as a table object named REPORT.
Cross-references
See Creating and Specifying a Dated Data Table on page 354 of the Users Guide for a
description of dated data tables and formatting options. Note that most of the options for
formatting the table are only available interactively from the window.
Estimate a vector error correction model (VEC).
Syntax
Var Method: var_name.ec(trend, n) lag_pairs endog_list [@ exog_list]
Specify the order of the VEC by entering one or more pairs of lag intervals, then list the
series or groups to be used as endogenous variables. Note that the lag orders are those of
the first differences, not the levels. If you are comparing results to another software pro-
gram, you should be certain that the specifications for the lag orders are comparable.
You may include exogenous variables, such as seasonal dummies, in the VEC by including
an @-sign followed by the list of series or groups. Do not include an intercept or trend in
the VEC specification, these terms should be specified using options, as described below.
You should specify the trend option and the number of cointegrating equations n to use in
parentheses, separated by a comma (the default is n=1). You must choose the trend from
the following five alternatives:
p Print the report table.
ec Var Method
a No deterministic trend in the data, and no intercept or
b No deterministic trend in the data, and an intercept but
no trend in the cointegrating equation.
c (default) Linear trend in the data, and an intercept but no trend
in the cointegrating equation.
Options
Examples
var macro1.ec 1 4 m1 gdp tb3
declares a var object MACRO1 and estimates a VEC with four lagged first differences, three
endogenous variables and one cointegrating equation using the default trend option c.
var term.ec(b,2) 1 2 4 4 tb1 tb3 tb6 @ d2 d3 d4
declares a var object TERM and estimates a VEC with lagged first differences of order 1, 2,
4, three endogenous variables, three exogenous variables, and two cointegrating equations
using trend option b.
Cross-references
See Vector Error Correction (VEC) Models on page 733 of the Users Guide for a discus-
sion of VECs.
See also var (p. 500), coint (p. 240) and append (p. 202).
Computes goodness-of-fit tests based on the empirical distribution function.
Syntax
Series View: series_name.edftest(options)
d Linear trend in the data, and both an intercept and a
e Quadratic trend in the data, and both an intercept and a
restrict Impose restrictions. See append (p. 202) and coint
(p. 240).
m= integer Maximum number of iterations for restricted estimation
(only valid if you choose the restrict option).
c = scalar Convergence criterion for restricted estimation. (only
valid if you choose the restrict option).
p Print the results view.
edftest Series View
edftest273
Options
General Options
Estimation Options
The following options apply if iterative estimation of parameters is required:
type=arg
(default=nomal)
Distribution to test: normal (Normal distribution),
chisq (Chi-square distribution), exp (Exponential
distribution), xmax (Extreme Value - Type I maxi-
mum), xmin (Extreme Value Type I minimum),
gamma (Gamma), logit (Logistic), pareto
(Pareto), uniform (Uniform).
p1=number Specify the value of the first parameter of the distribu-
tion (as it appears in the dialog). If this option is not
specified, the first parameter will be estimated.
p2=number Specify the value of the second parameter of the distri-
bution (as it appears in the dialog). If this option is not
specified, the second parameter will be estimated.
p3=number Specify the value of the third parameter of the distribu-
tion (as it appears in the dialog). If this option is not
specified, the third parameter will be estimated.
p Print test results.
b Use Berndt-Hall-Hall-Hausman (BHHH) algorithm. The
default is Marquardt.
coefficients.
showopts /
-showopts
s Take starting values from the C coefficient vector. By
default, EViews uses distribution specific starting val-
ues that typically are based on the method of the
moments.
Examples
x.edftest
uses the default settings to test whether the series X comes from a normal distribution.
Both the location and scale parameters are estimated from the data in X.
freeze(tab1) x.edftest(type=chisq, p1=5)
tests whether the series x comes from a distribution with 5 degrees of freedom. The
output is stored as a table object TAB1.
Cross-references
See Empirical Distribution Tests on page 311 of the Users Guide for a description of the
goodness-of-fit tests.
See also qqplot (p. 389).
Displays a spreadsheet or graph view of the endogenous variables.
Syntax
Object View: object_name.endog(options)
Note that endog and makeendog are no longer supported for model objects. See instead,
makegroup (p. 339).
Options
Examples
sys1.endog(g,p)
prints the graphs of the solved endogenous series.
Cross-references
See also makeendog (p. 335), system (p. 472), sspace (p. 457) and var (p. 500).
endog Sspace View | System View | Var View
g Multiple line graphs of the solved endogenous series.
p Print the table of solved endogenous series.
2
eqs275
Declare an equation object.
Syntax
Command: equation eq_name
Command: equation eq_name.method(options) specification
Follow the equation keyword with a name and an optional specification. If you wish to
enter the specification, you should follow the new equation name with a period, an esti-
mation method, and the equation specification. Valid estimation methods are arch
(p. 203), binary (p. 217), censored (p. 233), count (p. 248), gmm (p. 297), ls (p. 329),
ordered (p. 360), and tsls (p. 487).
Examples
equation cobdoug.ls log(y) c log(k) log(l)
declares and estimates an equation object named COBDOUG.
equation ces.ls log(y)=c(1)*log(k^c(2)+l^c(3))
declares an equation object named CES containing a nonlinear least squares specification.
equation demand.tsls q c p x @ x p(-1) gov
creates an equation object named DEMAND and estimates DEMAND using two-stage least
squares with instruments X, lagged P, and GOV.
Cross-references
See the object reference entry for Equation (p. 155) for a summary of the equation
object. Chapter 15, Basic Regression, on page 427 of the Users Guide provides basic
information on estimation and equation objects.
View of model organized by equation.
Lists the equations in the model. This view also allows you to identify which equations are
entered by text, or by link, and to access and modify the equation specifications.
Syntax
Model View: model_name.eqs
equation Object Declaration
eqs Model View
Cross-references
See Equation View on page 780 of the Users Guide for details. See Chapter 26, Mod-
els, on page 761 of the Users Guide for a general discussion of models.
See also block (p. 219), text (p. 482), and vars (p. 501) for alternative representations
of the model.
Display error bar graph view of object, or change existing graph object type to error bar
(if possible).
Sets the graph type to error bar or displays an error bar view of the group. If there are two
series in the graph or group, the error bar will show the high and low values in the bar.
The optional third series will be plotted as a symbol. When used as a matrix view, the col-
umns of the matrix are used in place of series.
Syntax
Command: errbar(options) arg1 [arg2 arg3 ...]
Graph Proc: graph_name.errbar(options)
Object View: object_name.errbar(options)
Options
Panel options
errbar
Command || Graph Command | Group View | Matrix View| Rowvector
View| Sym View
p Print the error bar graph.
errbar277
Examples
The following commands:
group g1 x y
g1.errbar
display the error bar view of G1 using the X series as the high value of the bar and the Y
series as the low value.
group g2 plus2se minus2se estimate
g2.errbar
display the error bar view of G2 with the PLUS2SE series as the high value of the bar, the
MINUS2SE series as the low value, and ESTIMATE as a symbol.
group g1 x y
freeze(graph1) g1.line
graph1.errbar
first creates a graph object GRAPH1 containing a line graph of the series in G1, then
changes the graph type to an error bar.
Cross-references
See Chapter 14, Graphs, Tables, and Text Objects, on page 403 for details on graph
objects and types.
See also graph (p. 303) for graph declaration and other graph types.
panel=arg
(default taken
from global set-
tings)
Specifies (or merges) excluded endogenous variables in the active scenario.
Syntax
Model Proc: model_name.exclude(options) ser1(smpl) ser2(smpl) ...
Follow the exclude keyword with the argument list containing the endogenous variables
you wish to exclude from the solution, along with an optional sample for exclusion. If a
sample is not provided, the variable will be excluded for the entire solution sample.
Options
Examples
mod1.exclude fedfunds govexp("1990:01 1995:02")
will create an exclude list containing the variables FEDFUNDS and GOVEXP. FEDFUNDS
will be excluded for the entire solution sample, while GOVEXP will only be excluded for
the specified sample.
If you then issue the command:
mod1.exclude govexp
EViews will replace the original exclude list with one containing only GOVEXP. To add
excludes to an existing list, use the m option:
mod1.exclude(m) fedfunds
The excluded list now contains both GOVEXP and FEDFUNDS.
Cross-references
See the discussion in Specifying Scenarios on page 784 of the Users Guide.
See also model (p. 353), override (p. 363) and solveopt (p. 452).
exclude Model Proc
m Merge into instead of replace the existing exclude list.
fetch279
Exit from EViews. Closes the EViews application.
You will be prompted to save objects and workfiles which have changed since the last time
they were saved to disk. Be sure to save your workfiles, if desired, since all changes that
you do not save to a disk file will be lost.
Syntax
Command: exit
Cross-references
See also close (p. 238) and save (p. 407).
Expand a workfile.
No longer supported. See the replacement command pagestruct (p. 378).
Fetch objects from databases or databank files into the workfile.
fetch reads one or more objects from EViews databases or databank files into the active
workfile. The objects are loaded into the workfile using the object in the database or using
the databank file name.
When used as a pool proc, EViews will first expand the list of series using the pool opera-
tor, and then perform the fetch.
If you fetch a series into a workfile with a different frequency, EViews will automatically
apply the frequency conversion method attached to the series by setconvert. If the
series does not have an attached conversion method, EViews will use the method set by
Options/Date-Frequency in the main menu. You can override the conversion method by
specifying an explicit conversion method option.
Syntax
Command: fetch(options) object_list
Pool Proc: pool_name.fetch(options) pool_ser1 [pool_ser2 pool_ser3 ...]
exit Command
expand Command
fetch Command || Pool Proc
The fetch command keyword is followed by a list of object names separated by spaces.
The default behavior is to fetch the objects from the default database (this is a change from
versions of EViews prior to EViews 3.x where the default was to fetch from individual data-
bank files).
You can precede the object name with a database name and the double colon :: to indi-
cate a specific database source. If you specify the database name as an option in parenthe-
ses (see below), all objects without an explicit database prefix will be fetched from the
specified database. You may optionally fetch from individual databank files or search
among registered databases.
You may use wild card characters, ? (to match a single character) or * (to match zero
or more characters), in the object name list. All objects with names matching the pattern
will be fetched.
To fetch from individual databank files that are not in the default path, you should include
an explicit path. If you have more than one object with the same file name (for example,
an equation and a series named CONS), then you should supply the full object file name
including identifying extensions.
Options
The following options are available for fetch of group objects:
The database specified by the double colon :: takes precedence over the database speci-
fied by the d= option.
In addition, there are a number of options for controlling automatic frequency conversion
when performing a fetch. The following options control the frequency conversion method
when copying series and group objects to a workfile, converting from low to high fre-
quency:
d=db_name Fetch from specified database.
d Fetch all registered databases in registry order.
i Fetch from individual databank files.
g=arg Group fetch options: b (fetch both group definition
and series), d (fetch only the series in the group), l
(fetch only the group definition).
c=arg Low to high conversion methods: r (constant match
average), d (constant match sum), q (quadratic
match average), t (quadratic match sum), i (linear
match last), c (cubic match last).
fetch281
If no conversion method is specified, the series-specific or global default conversion
method will be employed.
Examples
To fetch M1, GDP, and UNEMP from the default database, use:
fetch m1 gdp unemp
To fetch M1 and GDP from the US1 database and UNEMP from the MACRO database, use
the command:
fetch(d=us1) m1 gdp macro::unemp
You can fetch all objects with names starting with SP by searching all registered data-
bases in the search order. The c=f option uses the first (nonmissing) observation to con-
vert the frequency of any matching series with a higher frequency than the destination
workfile frequency:
fetch(d,c=f) sp*
You can fetch M1 and UNEMP from individual databank files using:
fetch(i) m1 c:\data\unemp
To fetch all objects with names starting with CONS from the two databases USDAT and
UKDAT, use the command:
fetch usdat::cons* ukdat::cons*
The command:
c=arg High to low conversion methods removing NAs: a
fetch a?income
will fetch all series beginning with the letter A, followed by any single character, and
ending with the string income.
Cross-references
databases, databank files, and frequency conversion. Appendix B, Wildcards, on
page 921 of the Users Guide describes the use of wildcard characters.
See also setconvert (p. 424), store (p. 465), and copy (p. 244).
Fill an object with specified values.
fill can be used to set values of series, vectors and matrices in programs.
Syntax
Object Proc: object_name.fill(options) n1[, n2, n3 ]
Follow the keyword with a list of values to place in the specified object. Each value should
be separated by a comma. By default, series fill ignores the current sample and fills the
series from the beginning of the workfile range. You may provide sample information using
options.
Running out of values before the object is completely filled is not an error; the remaining
cells or observations will be unaffected, unless the l option is specified. If, however, you
list more values than the object can hold, EViews will not modify any observations and
will return an error message.
Options
Options for series fill
fill
Coef Proc | Matrix Proc | Rowvector Proc | Series Proc | Sym Proc |
Vector Proc
l Loop repeatedly over the list of values as many times as
it takes to fill the series.
o=[date, integer] Set starting date or observation from which to start fill-
ing the series. Default is the beginning of the workfile
range.
s Fill the series only for the current workfile sample. The
s option overrides the o option.
fill283
Options for coef/vector/matrix fill
Examples
To generate a series D70 that takes the value 1, 2, and 3 for all observations from 1970:1:
series d70=0
d70.fill(o=1970:1,l) 1,2,3
Note that the last argument in the fill command above is the letter l. The next three lines
generate a dummy series D70S that takes the value one and two for observations from
1970:1 to 1979:4:
series d70s=0
smpl 1970:1 1979:4
d70s.fill(s,l) 1,2
smpl @all
Assuming a quarterly workfile, the following generates a dummy variable for observations
in either the third and fourth quarter:
series d34
d34.fill(l) 0, 0, 1, 1
Note that this series could more easily be generated using @seas or the special workfile
functions (see Basic Date Functions on page 560).
The following example declares a four element coefficient vector MC, initially filled with
zeros. The second line fills MC with the specified values and the third line replaces from
row 3 to the last row with 1.
coef(4) mc
mc.fill 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 0.5
mc.fill(o=3,l) -1
s=sample_name Fill the series only for the specified subsample. The s
option overrides the o option.
l Loop repeatedly over the list of values as many times as
it takes to fill the object.
o=integer
(default=1)
Fill the object from the specified element. Default is the
first element.
b=arg
(default=c)
Matrix fill order: c (fill the matrix by column), r (fill
the matrix by row).
The commands,
matrix(2,2) m1
matrix(2,2) m2
m1.fill 1, 0, 1, 2
m2.fill(b=r) 1, 0, 1, 2
create the matrices:
(B.1)
Cross-references
See Chapter 3, Matrix Language, on page 23 for a detailed discussion of vector and
matrix manipulation in EViews.
Estimation by full information maximum likelihood.
fiml estimates a system of equations by full information maximum likelihood (assuming
a multivariate normal distribution).
Syntax
System Method: system_name.fiml(options)
Options
fiml System Method
i Iterate simultaneously over the covariance matrix and
coefficient vector.
s (default) Iterate sequentially over the covariance matrix and
coefficient vector.
coefficients.
b Use Berndt-Hall-Hall-Hausman (BHHH) algorithm.
Default method is Marquardt.
showopts /
-showopts
m1
1 1
0 2
, = m2
1 0
1 2
=
fit285
Examples
sys1.fiml
estimates SYS1 by FIML using the default settings. The command:
sys1.fiml(d, s)
sequentially iterates over the coefficients and the covariance matrix.
Cross-references
See Chapter 23, System Estimation, on page 679 of the Users Guide for a discussion of
systems in EViews.
Computes static forecasts or fitted values from an estimated equation.
When the regressor contains lagged dependent values or ARMA terms, fit uses the actual
values of the dependent variable instead of the lagged fitted values. You may instruct fit
to compare the forecasted data to actual data, and to compute forecast summary statistics.
Not available for equations estimated using ordered methods; use makemodel (p. 341) to
create a model using the ordered equation results (see example below).
Syntax
Command: fit(options) yhat [y_se]
Equation Proc: eq_name.fit(options) yhat [y_se]
ARCH Proc: eq_name.fit(options) yhat [y_se y_var]
Following the fit keyword, you should type a name for the forecast series and, optionally,
a name for the series containing the standard errors and, for ARCH specifications, a name
for the conditional variance series.
defaults.
fit Command || Equation Proc
Forecast standard errors are currently not available for binary, censored, and count models.
Options
Examples
equation eq1.ls cons c cons(-1) inc inc(-1)
eq1.fit c_hat c_se
genr c_up=c_hat+2*c_se
genr c_low=c_hat-2*c_se
line cons c_up c_low
The first line estimates a linear regression of CONS on a constant, CONS lagged once, INC,
and INC lagged once. The second line stores the static forecasts and their standard errors
as C_HAT and C_SE. The third and fourth lines compute the +/- 2 standard error bounds.
The fifth line plots the actual series together with the error bounds.
equation eq2.binary(d=l) y c wage edu
eq2.fit yf
eq2.fit(i) xbeta
genr yhat = 1-@clogit(-xbeta)
The first line estimates a logit specification for Y with a conditional mean that depends on
a constant, WAGE, and EDU. The second line computes the fitted probabilities, and the
d In models with implicit dependent variables, forecast
the entire expression rather than the normalized vari-
able.
u Substitute expressions for all auto-updating series in the
equation.
g Graph the fitted values together with the 2 standard
error bands.
e Produce the forecast evaluation table.
i Compute the fitted values of the index. Only for binary,
censored and count models.
s Ignore ARMA terms and use only the structural part of
the equation to compute the fitted values.
f = arg
(default=
actual)
Out-of-fit-sample fill behavior: actual (fill observa-
tions outside the fit sample with actual values for the
fitted variable), na (fill observations outside the fit
sample with missing values).
forecast287
third line computes the fitted values of the index. The fourth line computes the probabili-
ties from the fitted index using the cumulative distribution function of the logistic distribu-
tion. Note that YF and YHAT should be identical.
Note that you cannot fit values from an ordered model. You must instead solve the values
from a model. The following lines generate fitted probabilities from an ordered model:
equation eq3.ordered y c x z
eq3.makemodel(oprob1)
solve oprob1
The first line estimates an ordered probit of Y on a constant, X, and Z. The second line
makes a model from the estimated equation with a name OPROB1. The third line solves
the model and computes the fitted probabilities that each observation falls in each cate-
gory.
Cross-references
To perform dynamic forecasting, use forecast (p. 287). See makemodel (p. 341) and
solve (p. 451) for forecasting from systems of equations or ordered equations.
See Chapter 18, Forecasting from an Equation, on page 527 of the Users Guide for a dis-
cussion of forecasting in EViews and Chapter 21, Discrete and Limited Dependent Vari-
able Models, on page 605 of the Users Guide for forecasting from binary, censored,
truncated, and count models. See Forecasting on page 740 of the Users Guide for a dis-
cussion of forecasting from sspace models.
Computes (n-period ahead) dynamic forecasts of an estimated equation or forecasts of the
signals and states for an estimated state space.
forecast computes the forecast for all observations in a specified sample. In some set-
tings, you may instruct forecast to compare the forecasted data to actual data, and to
compute summary statistics.
Syntax
Command: forecast(options) yhat [y_se]
Equation Proc: eq_name.forecast(options) yhat [y_se]
ARCH Proc: eq_name.forecast(options) yhat [y_se y_var]
Sspace Proc: ss_name.forecast(options) keyword1 names1 [keyword2 names2]
[keyword3 names3] ...
forecast Command || Equation Proc | Sspace Proc
When used with an equation, you should enter a name for the forecast series and, option-
ally, a name for the series containing the standard errors and, for ARCH specifications, a
name for the conditional variance series. Forecast standard errors are currently not avail-
able for binary or censored models. forecast is not available for models estimated using
ordered methods.
When used with a sspace, you should enter a type-keyword followed by a list of names for
the target series or a wildcard expression, and if desired, additional type-keyword and tar-
get pairs. The following are valid keywords: @STATE, @STATESE, @SIGNAL,
@SIGNALSE. The first two keywords instruct EViews to forecast the state series and the
values of the state standard error series. The latter two keywords instruct EViews to fore-
cast the signal series and the values of the signal standard error series.
If a list is used to identify the targets in sspace forecasting, the number of target series
must match the number of names implied by the keyword. Note that wildcard expressions
may not be used for forecasting signal variables that contain expressions. In addition, the
* wildcard expression may not be used for forecasting signal variables since this would
overwrite the original data.
Options
Options for Equation forecasting
d In models with implicit dependent variables, forecast
the entire expression rather than the normalized vari-
able.
u Substitute expressions for all auto-updating series in the
equation.
g Graph the forecasts together with the 2 standard error
bands.
e Produce the forecast evaluation table.
i Compute the forecasts of the index. Only for binary,
censored and count models.
s Ignore ARMA terms and use only the structural part of
the equation to compute the forecasts.
f = arg
(default=
actual)
Out-of-forecast-sample fill behavior: actual (fill obser-
vations outside the forecast sample with actual values
for the fitted variable), na (fill observations outside
the forecast sample with missing values).
forecast289
Options for Sspace forecasting
Examples
The following lines:
smpl 1970q1 1990q4
equation eq1.ls con c con(-1) inc
smpl 1991q1 1995q4
eq1.fit con_s
eq1.forecast con_d
plot con_s con_d
estimate a linear regression over the period 1970Q11990Q4, compute static and dynamic
forecasts for the period 1991Q11995Q4, and plot the two forecasts in a single graph.
equation eq1.ls m1 gdp ar(1) ma(1)
eq1.forecast m1_bj bj_se
eq1.forecast(s) m1_s s_se
plot bj_se s_se
estimates an ARMA(1,1) model, computes the forecasts and standard errors with and with-
out the ARMA terms, and plots the two forecast standard errors.
The following command performs n-step forecasting of the signals and states from a
sspace object:
ss1.forecast(method=n,n=4) @state * @signal y1f y2f
Here, we save the state forecasts in the names specified in the sspace object, and we save
the two signal forecasts in the series Y1F and Y2F.
i = arg
(default=o)
State initialization options: o (one-step), e (dif-
fuse), u (user-specified), s (smoothed).
m = arg
(default=d)
Basic forecasting method: n (n-step ahead forecast-
ing), s (smoothed forecasting), d (dynamic fore-
casting.
mprior =
vector_name
Name of state initialization (use if option i=u is
specified).
n = arg
(default=1)
Number of n-step forecast periods (only relevant if n-
step forecasting is specified using the method option).
vprior =
sym_name
Name of state covariance initialization (use if option
i=u is specified).
Cross-references
To perform static forecasting with equation objects see fit (p. 285). For multiple equation
forecasting, see makemodel (p. 341), and solve (p. 451).
For more information on equation forecasting in EViews, see Chapter 18, Forecasting
from an Equation, on page 527 of the Users Guide. State space forecasting is described in
Chapter 25, State Space Models and the Kalman Filter, on page 737 of the Users Guide.
Users Guide.
Creates graph, table, or text objects from a view.
Syntax
Command: freeze(name) object_name.view_command
If you follow the keyword freeze with an object name but no view of the object, freeze
will use the default view for the object. You may provide a destination name for the object
containing the frozen view in parentheses.
Examples
freeze gdp.uroot(4,t)
creates an untitled table that contains the results of the unit root test of the series GDP.
group rates tb1 tb3 tb6
freeze(gra1) rates.line(m)
show gra1.align(2,1,1)
freezes a graph named GRA1 that contains multiple line graphs of the series in the group
RATES, realigns the individual graphs, and displays the resulting graph.
freeze(mygra) gra1 gra3 gra4
show mygra.align(2,1,1)
creates a graph object named MYGRA that combines three graph objects GRA1, GRA2, and
GRA3, and displays MYGRA in two columns.
Cross-references
See Object Commands on page 6. See also Chapter 4, Object Basics, on page 65 of the
Users Guide for further discussion of objects and views of objects. Freezing graph views is
described in Creating Graphs on page 403 of the Users Guide.
freeze Command
freq291
Compute frequency tables.
When used as a series view (or for a group containing a single series), freq performs a
one-way frequency tabulation. The options allow you to control binning (grouping) of
observations.
When used with a group containing multiple series, freq produces an N-way frequency
tabulation for all of the series in the group.
Syntax
Object View: object_name.freq(options)
Options
Options common to both one-way and N-way frequency tables
Options for one-way tables
freq Alpha View | Group View | Series View
dropna (default)
/ keepna
v=integer
(default=100)
Make bins if the number of distinct values or categories
exceeds the specified number.
nov Do not make bins on the basis of number of distinct
values; ignored if you set v=integer.
a=number
(default=2)
Make bins if average count per distinct value is less
than the specified number.
noa Do not make bins on the basis of average count;
ignored if you set a=number.
b=integer
(default=5)
Maximum number of categories to bin into.
n, obs, count
(default)
Display frequency counts.
nocount Do not display frequency counts.
p Print the table.
total (default) /
nototal
[Display / Do not display] totals.
Options for N-way tables
pct (default) /
nopct
[Display / Do not display] percent frequencies.
cum (default) /
nocum
(Display/Do not) display cumulative frequency counts/
percentages.
table (default) Display in table mode.
list Display in list mode.
rowm (default) /
norowm
[Display / Do not display] row marginals.
colm (default) /
nocolm
[Display / Do not display] column marginals.
tabm (default) /
notabm
[Display / Do not display] table marginalsonly for
more than two series.
subm (default) /
nosubm
[Display / Do not display] sub marginalsonly for l
option with more than two series.
full (default) /
sparse
(Full/Sparse) tabulation in list display.
totpct / nototpct
(default)
[Display / Do not display] percentages of total observa-
tions.
tabpct / notab-
pct (default)
[Display / Do not display] percentages of table observa-
tionsonly for more than two series.
rowpct / norow-
pct (default)
[Display / Do not display] percentages of row total.
colpct / nocolpct
(default)
[Display / Do not display] percentages of column total.
exp / noexp
(default)
[Display / Do not display] expected counts under full
independence.
tabexp / nota-
bexp (default)
[Display / Do not display] expected counts under table
independenceonly for more than two series.
test (default) /
notest
[Display / Do not display] tests of independence.
frml293
Examples
hrs.freq(nov,noa)
tabulates each value (no binning) of HRS in ascending order with counts, percentages, and
cumulatives.
inc.freq(v=20,b=10,noa)
tabulates INC excluding NAs. The observations will be binned if INC has more than 20 dis-
tinct values; EViews will create at most 10 equal width bins. The number of bins may be
smaller than specified.
group labor lwage gender race
labor.freq(v=10,norowm,nocolm)
displays tables of LWAGE against GENDER for each bin/value of RACE.
Cross-references
See One-Way Tabulation on page 313 and N-Way Tabulation on page 369 of the Users
Guide for a discussion of frequency tables.
Declare a series object with a formula for auto-updating, or specify a formula for an exist-
ing series.
Syntax
Command: frml series_name = series_expression
Command: frml series_name = @clear
Follow the frml keyword with a name for the object, and an assignment statement. The
special keyword @CLEAR is used to return the auto-updating series to an ordinary
numeric or alpha series.
Examples
To define an auto-updating numeric or alpha series, you must use the frml keyword prior
to entering an assignment statement. The following example creates a series named LOW
that uses a formula to compute its values.:
frml low = inc<=5000 or edu<13
frml Command || Object Declaration (Alpha) | Object Declaration (Series)
The auto-updating series takes the value 1 if either INC is less than or equal to 5000 or
EDU is less than 13, and 0 otherwise, and will be re-evaluated whenever INC or EDU
change.
If FIRST_NAME and LAST_NAME are alpha series, then the formula declaration:
frml full_name = first_name + " " + last_name
creates an auto-updating alpha series FULL_NAME.
You may apply a frml to an existing series. The commands:
series z = 3
frml z =(x+y)/2
makes the previously created series Z an auto-updating series containing the average of
series X and Y. Note that once a series is defined to be auto-updating, it may not be modi-
fied directly. Here, you may not edit Z, nor may you generate values into the series.
Note that the commands :
series z = 3
z = (x+y)/2
while similar, produce quite different results, since the absence of the frml keyword in the
second example means that EViews will generate fixed values in the series instead of defin-
ing a formula to compute the series values. In this latter case, the values in the series Z are
fixed, and may be modified.
One particularly useful feature of auto-updating series is the ability to reference series in
databases. The command:
frml gdp = usdata::gdp
creates a series called GDP that obtains its values from the series GDP in the database
USDATA. Similarly:
frml lgdp = log(usdata::gdp)
creates an auto-updating series that is the log of the values of GDP in the database
USDATA.
To turn off auto-updating for a series or alpha, you should use the special expression
@CLEAR in your frml assignment. The command:
frml z = @clear
sets the series to numeric or alpha value format, freezing the contents of the series at the
current values.
genr295
Cross-references
See Auto-Updating Series on page 141 of the Users Guide.
See also link (p. 323).
Conditional standard deviation graph of (G)ARCH equation.
Displays the conditional standard deviation graph of an equation estimated by ARCH.
Syntax
Equation View: eq_name.garch(options)
Options
Examples
eq1.garch
estimates a GARCH(1,1) model and displays the estimated conditional standard deviation
graph.
Cross-references
ARCH estimation is described in Chapter 20, ARCH and GARCH Estimation, on page 585
of the Users Guide.
See also arch (p. 203) and makegarch (p. 336).
Generate series.
Generate series or alphas. This procedure also allows you to generate multiple series using
the cross-section identifiers in a pool.
garch Equation View
p Print the graph
genr
Command || Object Declaration (Alpha) | Object Declaration (Series)
| Pool Proc
Syntax
Command: genr ser_name = expression
Pool Proc: pool_name.genr ser_name = expression
For pool series generation, you may use the cross section identifier ? in the series name
and/or in the expression on the right-hand side.
Examples
genr y = 3 + x
generates a numeric series that takes the values from the series X and adds 3.
genr full_name = first_name + last_name
creates an alpha series formed by concatenating the alpha series FIRST_NAME and
LAST_NAME.
The commands,
pool pool1
pool1.add 1 2 3
pool1.genr y? = x? - @mean(x?)
are equivalent to generating separate series for each cross-section:
genr y1 = x1 - @mean(x1)
Similarly:
pool pool2
pool2.add us uk can
pool2.genr y_? = log(x_?) - log(x_us)
generates three series Y_US, Y_UK, Y_CAN that are the log differences from X_US. Note
that Y_US=0.
It is worth noting that the pool genr command simply loops across the cross-section iden-
tifiers, performing the evaluations using the appropriate substitution. Thus, the command,
pool2.genr z = y_?
is equivalent to entering:
genr z = y_us
genr z = y_uk
gmm297
genr z = y_can
so that upon completion, the ordinary series Z will contain Y_CAN.
Cross-references
for a discussion of the computation of pools, and a description of individual and balanced
samples.
See series (p. 418) and alpha (p. 201) for a discussion of the expressions allowed in
genr.
Estimation by generalized method of moments (GMM).
The equation or system object must be specified with a list of instruments.
Syntax
Command: gmm(options) y x1 [x2 x3 ...] @ z1 [z2 z3 ...]
gmm(options) specification @ z1 [z2 z3 ...]
Equation Method: eq_name.gmm(options) y x1 [x2 x3 ...] @ z1 [z2 z3 ...]
eq_name.gmm(options) specification @ z1 [z2 z3 ...]
System Method: system_name.gmm(options)
To use gmm as a command or equation method, follow the name of the dependent variable
by a list of regressors, followed by the @ symbol, and a list of instrumental variables
which are orthogonal to the residuals. Alternatively, you can specify an expression using
coefficients, an @ symbol, and a list of instrumental variables. There must be at least as
many instrumental variables as there are coefficients to be estimated.
In panel settings, you may specify dynamic instruments corresponding to predetermined
variables. To specify a dynamic instrument, you should tag the instrument using @DYN,
as in @DYN(X). By default, EViews will use a set of period-specific instruments corre-
sponding to lags from -2 to -infinity. You may also specify a restricted lag range using
arguments in the @DYN tag. For example, to use lags from-5 to -infinity you may enter
@DYN(X, -5); to specify lags from -2 to -6, use @DYN(X, -2, -6) or @DYN(X, -6, -2).
Note that dynamic instrument specifications may easily generate excessively large num-
bers of instruments.
gmm Command || Equation Method | System Method
Options
General Options
Additional Options for Non-Panel Equation and System estimation
coefficients.
iteration to get the one-step weighting matrix.
showopts /
-showopts
defaults.
p Print results.
w Use Whites diagonal weighting matrix (for cross sec-
tion data).
b=arg
(default=nw)
Specify the bandwidth: nw (Newey-West fixed band-
width based on the number of observations), number
(user specified bandwidth), v (Newey-West auto-
matic variable bandwidth selection), a (Andrews
automatic selection).
q Use the quadratic kernel. Default is to use the Bartlett
kernel.
n Prewhiten by a first order VAR before estimation.
the coefficient vector.
s Iterate sequentially over the weighting matrix and coef-
ficient vector.
o (default) Iterate only on the coefficient vector with one step of
the weighting matrix.
gmm299
Additional Options for Panel Equation estimation
one step of the weighting matrix.
e TSLS estimates with GMM standard errors.
cx=arg Cross-section effects method: (default) none, fixed
effects estimation (cx=f), first-difference estimation
(cx=fd), orthogonal deviation estimation (cx=od)
per=arg Period effects method: (default) none, fixed effects esti-
mation (per=f).
levelper Period dummies always specified in levels (even if one
of the transformation methods is used, cx=fd or
cx=od).
wgt=arg GLS weighting: (default) none, cross-section system
weights (wgt=cxsur), period system weights
(wgt=persur), cross-section diagonal weighs
(wgt=cxdiag), period diagonal weights (wgt=per-
diag).
gmm=arg GMM weighting: Identity (gmm=ident), White
period system covariances (Arellano-Bond 2-step/n-
step) (gmm=perwhite), White cross-section system
(gmm=cxwhite), White diagonal
(gmm=stackedwhite), Period system (gmm=per-
sur), Cross-section system (gmm=cxsur), Period
heteroskedastic (cov=perdiag), Cross-section het-
eroskedastic (gmm=cxdiag).
By default, uses the identity matrix unless estimated
with first difference transformation (cx=fd), in
which case, uses (Arellano-Bond 1-step) difference
weighting matrix. In this latter case, you should specify
identity weights (gmm=ident) for Anderson-Hsiao
estimation.
Note that some options are only available for a subset of specifications.
Examples
In a non-panel workfile, we may estimate equations using the standard GMM options. The
specification:
eq.gmm(w) y c f k @ c z1 z2 z3
estimates the linear specification using a White diagonal weighting matrix (one-step, with
no iteration). The command:
eq.gmm(e, b=v) c(1) + c(2)*(m^c(1) + k^(1-c(1))) @ c z1 z2 z3
estimates the nonlinear model using two-stage least squares (instrumental variables) with
GMM standard errors computed using Newey-West automatic bandwidth selected weights.
For system estimation, the command:
cov=arg Coefficient covariance method: (default) ordinary,
White cross-section system robust (cov=cxwhite),
White period system robust (cov=perwhite), White
heteroskedasticity robust (cov=stackedwhite), Cross-
section system robust/PCSE (cov=cxsur), Period sys-
tem robust/PCSE (cov=persur), Cross-section het-
eroskedasticity robust/PCSE (cov=cxdiag), Period
heteroskedasticity robust (cov=perdiag).
keepwgts Keep full set of GLS/GMM weights used in estimation
with object, if applicable (by default, only weights
which take up little memory are saved).
nodf Do not perform degree of freedom corrections in com-
puting coefficient covariance matrix. The default is to
use degree of freedom corrections.
coef=arg Specify the name of the coefficient vector (if specified
by list); the default behavior is to use the C coeffi-
cient vector.
iter=arg
(default=onec)
Iteration control for GLS and GMM weighting specifica-
tions: perform one weight iteration, then iterate coeffi-
cients to convergence (iter=onec), iterate weights
and coefficients simultaneously to convergence
(iter=sim), iterate weights and coefficients sequen-
tially to convergence (iter=seq), perform one weight
iteration, then one coefficient step (iter=oneb).
gmm301
sys1.gmm(b=a, q, i)
estimates the system SYS1 by GMM with a quadratic kernel, Andrews automatic band-
width selection, and iterates until convergence.
When working with a workfile that has a panel structure, you may use the panel equation
estimation options. The command
eq.gmm(cx=fd, per=f) dj dj(-1) @ @dyn(dj)
estimates an Arellano-Bond 1-step estimator with differencing of the dependent variable
DJ, period fixed effects, and dynamic instruments constructed using DJ with observation
specific lags from period to 1.
To perform the 2-step version of this estimator, you may use:
eq.gmm(cx=fd, per=f, gmm=perwhite, iter=oneb) dj dj(-1) @
@dyn(dj)
where the combination of the options gmm=perwhite and (the default) iter=oneb
instructs EViews to estimate the model with the difference weights, to use the estimates to
form period covariance GMM weights, and then re-estimate the model.
You may iterate the GMM weights to convergence using:
eq.gmm(cx=fd, per=f, gmm=perwhite, iter=seq) dj dj(-1) @
@dyn(dj)
Alternately:
eq.gmm(cx=od, gmm=perwhite, iter=oneb) dj dj(-1) x y @
@dyn(dj,-2,-6) x(-1) y(-1)
estimates an Arellano-Bond 2-step equation using orthogonal deviations of the depen-
dent variable, dynamic instruments constructed from DJ from period to , and
ordinary instruments X(-1) and Y(-1).
Cross-references
See Chapter 16, Additional Regression Methods, on page 445, Chapter 23, System Esti-
mation, on page 679, and Chapter 29, Panel Estimation, on page 885 of the Users
Guide for discussion of the various GMM estimation techniques.
t 2
t 6 t 2
Gradients of the objective function.
Displays the gradients of the objective function (where available) for objects containing an
estimated equation or equations.
The (default) summary form shows the value of the gradient vector at the estimated
parameter values (if valid estimates exist) or at the current coefficient values. Evaluating
the gradients at current coefficient values allows you to examine the behavior of the objec-
tive function at starting values. The tabular form shows a spreadsheet view of the gradi-
ents for each observation. The graphical form shows this information in a multiple line
graph.
Syntax
Object View: object_name.grads(options)
Options
Examples
To show a summary view of the gradients:
eq1.grads
To display and print the table view:
eq1.grads(t, p)
Cross-references
See also derivs (p. 264), makederivs (p. 335), and makegrads (p. 337).
grads Equation View | Logl View | Sspace View | System View
g Display multiple graph showing the gradients of the
objective function with respect to the coefficients evalu-
ated at each observation (not available for systems).
t (default) Display spreadsheet view of the values of the gradients
of the objective function with respect to the coefficients
evaluated at each observation (not available for sys-
tems).
p Print results.
graph303
Create named graph object containing the results of a graph command, or created when
merging multiple graphs into a single graph.
Syntax
Command: graph graph_name.graph_command(options) arg1 [arg2 arg3 ...]
Command: graph graph_name.merge graph1 graph2 [graph3 ...]
Follow the keyword with a name for the graph, a period, and then a statement used to cre-
ate a graph. There are two distinct forms of the command.
In the first form of the command, you create a graph using one of the graph commands,
and then name the object using the specified name. The portion of the command given by,
graph_command(options) arg1 [arg2 arg3 ...]
should follow the form of one of the standard EViews graph commands:
graph Object Declaration
area Area graph (area (p. 207)).
bar Bar graph (bar (p. 215)).
errbar Error bar graph (errbar (p. 276)).
hilo High-low(-open-close) graph (hilo (p. 307)).
line Line graph (line (p. 320)).
pie Pie graph (pie (p. 384)).
scat Scatterplotsame as XY, but lines are initially turned
off, symbols turned on, and a frame is used
(scat (p. 412)).
spike Spike graph (spike (p. 455)).
xy XY line-symbol graph with one X plotted against one or
more Ys using existing line-symbol settings (xy
(p. 528)).
xyline Same as XY, but symbols are initially turned off, lines
turned on, and a frame is used (xyline
(p. 530)).
xypair Same as XY but sets XY settings to display pairs of X
and Y plotted against each other (xypair (p. 532)).
3 3
4 3
In the second form of the command, you instruct EViews to merge the listed graphs into a
single graph, and then name the graph object using the specified name.
Options
Additional options will depend on the type of graph chosen. See the entry for each graph
type for a list of the available options (for example, see bar (p. 215) for details on bar
graphs).
Examples
graph gra1.line(s, p) gdp m1 inf
creates and prints a stacked line graph object named GRA1. This command is equivalent to
running the command:
line(s, p) gdp m1 inf
freezing the view, and naming the graph GRA1.
graph mygra.merge gr_line gr_scat gr_pie
creates a multiple graph object named MYGRA that merges three graph objects named
GR_LINE, GR_SCAT, and GR_PIE.
Cross-references
The graph object is described in greater detail in Graph (p. 159). See Chapter 14,
Graphs, Tables, and Text Objects, on page 403 of the Users Guide for a general discus-
sion of graphs.
See also freeze (p. 290) and merge (p. 351).
Declare a group object containing a group of series.
Syntax
Command: group group_name ser1 ser2 [ser3 ...]
Follow the group name with a list of series to be included in the group.
p Print the graph (for use when specified with a graph
command).
group Object Declaration
hconvert305
Examples
group g1 gdp cpi inv
group g1 tb3 m1 gov
g1.add gdp cpi
The first line creates a group named G1 that contains three series GDP, CPI, and INV. The
second line redeclares group G1 to contain the three series TB3, M1, and GOV. The third
line adds two series GDP and CPI to group G1 to make a total of five series. See add
(p. 196).
group rhs d1 d2 d3 d4 gdp(0 to -4)
ls cons rhs
ls cons c rhs(6)
The first line creates a group named RHS that contains nine series. The second line runs a
linear regression of CONS on the nine series in RHS. The third line runs a linear regression
of CONS on C and only the sixth series GDP(-1) of RHS.
Cross-references
See Group on page 161 for a complete description of the group object. See also
Chapter 12, Groups, on page 354 of the Users Guide for additional discussion.
See also add (p. 196) and drop (p. 270).
Convert an entire Haver Analytics Database into an EViews database.
Syntax
Command: hconvert haver_path db_name
You must have a Haver Analytics database installed on your computer to use this feature.
You must also create an EViews database to store the converted Haver data before you use
this command.
Be aware that this command may be very time-consuming.
Follow the command by a full path name to the Haver database and the name of an exist-
ing EViews database to store the Haver database. You can include a path name to the
EViews database not in the default path.
Examples
dbcreate hdata
hconvert Command
hconvert d:\haver\haver hdata
The first line creates a new (empty) database named HDATA in the default directory. The
second line converts all the data in the Haver database and stores it in the HDATA data-
base.
Cross-references
EViews and Haver databases.
See also dbcreate (p. 255), db (p. 254), hfetch (p. 306) and hlabel (p. 309).
Fetch a series from a Haver Analytics database into a workfile.
hfetch reads one or more series from a Haver Analytics Database into the active workfile.
Syntax
Command: hfetch(database_name) series_name
hfetch, if issued alone on a command line, will bring up a Haver dialog box which has
fields for entering both the database name and the series names to be fetched. If you pro-
vide the database name (including the full path) in parentheses after the hfetch command,
EViews will read the database and copy the series requested into the current workfile. It
will also display information about the series on the status line. The database name is
optional if a default database has been specified.
hfetch can read multiple series with a single command. List the series names, each sepa-
rated by a space.
Examples
hfetch(c:\data\us1) pop gdp xyz
reads the series POP, GDP, and XYZ from the US1 database into the current active workfile,
performing frequency conversions if necessary.
Cross-references
See also Chapter 10, EViews Databases, on page 253 of the Users Guide for a discussion
of EViews and Haver databases. Additional information on EViews frequency conversion is
provided in Frequency Conversion on page 107 of the Users Guide.
hfetch Command
hilo307
See also dbcreate (p. 255), db (p. 254), hconvert (p. 305) and hlabel (p. 309).
Display high-low[-open-close] graph view of object, or change existing graph object type
to high-low[-open-close] (if possible).
Syntax
Command: hilo(options) high_ser low_ser [close_ser]
hilo(options) high_ser low_ser open_ser close_ser
hilo(options) arg
Graph Proc: graph_name.hilo(options)
Object View: object_name.hilo(options)
For a high-low, or a high-low-close graph, follow the command name with the name of the
high series, followed by the low series, and an optional close series. If four series names
are provided, EViews will use them in the following order: high-low-open-close.
When used with a matrix or group or an existing graph, EViews will use the first series as
the high series, the second series as the low series, and if present, the third series as the
close. If there are four or more series, EViews will use them in the following order: high-
low-open-close. When used as a matrix view, the columns of the matrix are used in place
of the series.
Note that if you wish to display a high-low-open graph, you should use an NA-series for
the close values.
Options
Panel options
hilo Command || Graph Command | Group View | Matrix View | Sym View
p Print the bar graph.
Examples
hilo mshigh mslow
displays a high-low graph using the series MSHIGH and MSLOW.
hilo(p) mshigh mslow msopen msclose
plots and prints the high-low-open-close graph of the four series.
group stockprice mshigh mslow msclose
stockprice.hilo
displays the high-low-close view of the group STOCKPRICE.
Cross-references
See Chapter 14, Graphs, Tables, and Text Objects, on page 403 of the Users Guide for
additional details on using graphs in EViews.
Histogram and descriptive statistics of a series.
When used as a command or a series view, hist computes descriptive statistics and dis-
plays a histogram for the series. When used as an equation view, hist displays a histo-
gram and descriptive statistics of the residual series.
panel=arg
(default taken
from global set-
tings)
hist Command || Equation View | Series View
hlabel309
Syntax
Command: hist(options) series_name
Object View: object_name.hist(options)
Options
Examples
lwage.hist
Displays the histogram and descriptive statistics of LWAGE.
Cross-references
See Histogram and Stats on page 298 of the Users Guide for a discussion of the descrip-
tive statistics reported in the histogram view.
Display a Haver Analytics database series description.
hlabel reads the description of a series from a Haver Analytics Database and displays it
on the status line at the bottom of the EViews window. Use this command to verify the
contents of a Haver database series name.
Syntax
Command: hlabel(database_name) series_name
hlabel, if issued alone on a command line, will bring up a Haver dialog box which has
fields for entering both the database name and the series names to be examined. If you
provide the database name in parentheses after the hlabel command, EViews will read the
database and find the key information about the series in question, such as the start date,
end date, frequency, and description. This information is displayed in the status line at the
bottom of the EViews window. Note that the database_name should refer to the full path
to the Haver database but need not be specified if a default database has been specified in
HAVERDIR.INI.
If several series names are placed on the line, hlabel will gather the information about
each of them, but the information display may scroll by so fast that only the last will be
visible.
p Print the histogram.
hlabel Command
Examples
hlabel(c:\data\us1) pop
displays the description of the series POP in the US1 database.
Cross-references
EViews and Haver databases.
See also hfetch (p. 306) and hconvert (p. 305).
Smooth a series using the Hodrick-Prescott filter.
Syntax
Command: hpf(options) series_name filtered_name
Series Proc: series_name.hpf(options) filtered_name
When used as a series procedure, hpf smooths the series without displaying the graph of
the smoothed series.
Smoothing Options
The degree of smoothing may be specified as an option. You may specify the smoothing as
a value, or using a power rule:
If no smoothing option is specified, EViews will use the power rule with a value of 2.
Other Options
hpf Command || Series Proc
lambda=arg Set smoothing parameter value to arg; a larger number
results in greater smoothing.
power=arg
(default=2)
Set smoothing parameter value using the frequency
power rule of Ravn and Uhlig (2002) (the number of
periods per year divided by 4, raised to the power arg,
and multiplied by 1600).
Hodrick and Prescott recommend the value 2; Ravn and
Uhlig recommend the value 4.
p Print the graph of the smoothed series and the original
series.
impulse311
Examples
gdp.hpf(lambda=1000) gdp_hp
smooths the GDP series with a smoothing parameter 1000 and saves the smoothed series
as GDP_HP.
Cross-references
See Hodrick-Prescott Filter on page 344 of the Users Guide for details.
Display impulse response functions of var object with an estimated VAR or VEC.
Syntax
Var View: var_name.impulse(n, options) ser1 [ser2 ser3 ...] [@ shock_series
[@ ordering_series]]
You must specify the number of periods for which you wish to compute the impulse
responses.
List the series names in the var whose responses you would like to compute . You may
optionally specify the sources of shocks. To specify the shocks, list the series after an @.
By default, EViews computes the responses to all possible sources of shocks using the
ordering in the Var.
If you are using impulses from the Cholesky factor, you may change the Cholesky ordering
by listing the order of the series after a second @.
Options
impulse Var View
g (default) Display combined graphs, with impulse responses of
one variable to all shocks shown in one graph. If you
choose this option, standard error bands will not be dis-
played.
m Display multiple graphs, with impulse response to each
shock shown in separate graphs.
t Tabulate the impulse responses.
a Accumulate the impulse responses.
n
imp=arg
(default=chol)
Type of factorization for the decomposition: unit
impulses, ignoring correlations among the residuals
(imp=unit), non-orthogonal, ignoring correlations
among the residuals (imp=nonort), Cholesky with
d.f. correction (imp=chol), Cholesky without d.f.
correction (imp=mlechol), Generalized
(imp=gen), structural (imp=struct), or user speci-
fied (imp=user).
The structural factorization is based on the estimated
structural VAR. To use this option, you must first esti-
mate the structural decomposition; see svar (p. 469).
For user-specified impulses, you must specify the name
of the vector/matrix containing the impulses using the
fname= option.
The option imp=mlechol is provided for backward
compatibility with EViews 3.x and earlier.
fname=name Specify name of vector/matrix containing the impulses.
The vector/matrix must have rows and 1 or col-
umns, where is the number of endogenous variables.
se=arg Standard error calculations: se=a (analytic),
se=mc (Monte Carlo).
If selecting Monte Carlo, you must specify the number
of replications with the rep= option.
Note the following:
(1) Analytic standard errors are currently not available
for (a) VECs and (b) structural decompositions identi-
fied by long-run restrictions. The se=a option will be
ignored for these cases.
(2) Monte Carlo standard errors are currently not avail-
able for (a) VECs and (b) structural decompositions.
The se=mc option will be ignored for these cases.
rep=integer Number of Monte Carlo replications to be used in com-
puting the standard errors. Must be used with the
se=mc option.
matbys=name Save responses by shocks (impulses) in named matrix.
the second variable to the first shock, and so on.
k k
k
jbera313
Examples
var1.impulse(10,m) gdp @ m1 gdp cpi
The first line declares and estimates a VAR with three variables. The second line displays
multiple graphs of the impulse responses of GDP to shocks to the three series in the VAR
using the ordering as specified in VAR1.
var1.impulse(10,m) gdp @ m1 @ cpi gdp m1
displays the impulse response of GDP to a one standard deviation shock in M1 using a dif-
ferent ordering.
Cross-references
Users Guide for a discussion of variance decompositions in VARs.
See also decomp (p. 260).
Multivariate residual normality test.
Syntax
Var View: var_name.jbera(options)
You must specify a factorization method using the factor= option.
Options
matbyr=name Save responses by response series in named matrix.
the first variable to the second shock, and so on.
p Print the results.
jbera Var View
factor=chol Factorization by the inverse of the Cholesky factor of
the residual covariance matrix.
factor=cor Factorization by the inverse square root of the residual
correlation matrix (Doornik and Hansen, 1994).
The name= option stores the following matrix. Let the VAR have endogenous vari-
ables. Then the stored matrix will have dimension . The first rows contain
statistics for each orthogonal component, where the first column contains the third
moments, the second column contains the statistics for the third moments, the third
column contains the fourth moments, and the fourth column holds the statistics for the
fourth moments. The sum of the second and fourth columns are the Jarque-Bera statistics
reported in the last output table.
The last row contains statistics for the joint test. The second and fourth column of the
row is simply the sum of all the rows above in the corresponding column and are
the statistics for the joint skewness and kurtosis tests, respectively. These joint skew-
ness and kurtosis statistics add up to the joint Jarque-Bera statistic reported in the output
table, except for the factor=cov option. When this option is set, the joint Jarque-Bera
statistic includes all cross moments (in addition to the pure third and fourth moments).
The overall Jarque-Bera statistic for this statistic is stored in the first column of the
row (which will be a missing value for all other options).
Examples
show var1.jbera(factor=cor,name=jb)
The first line declares and estimates a VAR. The second line carries out the residual multi-
variate normality test using the inverse square root of the residual correlation matrix as the
factorization matrix and stores the results in a matrix named JB.
Cross-references
Users Guide for a discussion of the test and other VAR diagnostics.
factor=cov Factorization by the inverse square root of the residual
covariance matrix (Urzua, 1997).
factor=svar Factorization matrix from structural VAR. You must first
estimate the structural factorization to use this option;
see svar (p. 469).
name=arg Save the test statistics in a named matrix object. See
below for a description of the statistics contained in the
stored matrix.
p Print the test results.
k
k 1 + ( ) 4 k
1
2
1
2
k 1 + ( )
k
2
k 1 + ( )
kdensity315
Kernel density plots. Displays nonparametric kernel density estimates of the specified
series.
Syntax
Series View: series_name.kdensity(options)
Options
Examples
lwage.kdensity(k=n)
plots the kernel density estimate of LWAGE using a normal kernel and the automatic band-
width selection.
Cross-references
See Kernel Density on page 384 of the Users Guide for a discussion of kernel density
estimation.
kdensity Series View
k=arg
(default=e)
Kernel type: e (Epanechnikov), r (Triangular), u
(Uniform), n (NormalGaussian), b (Biweight
Quartic), t (Triweight), c (Cosinus).
s (default) Automatic bandwidth (Silverman).
b=number Specify a number for the bandwidth.
b Bracket bandwidth.
integer
(default=100)
Number of points to evaluate.
x Exact evaluation of kernel density.
o=arg Name of matrix to hold results of kernel density compu-
tation. The first column of the matrix contains the eval-
uation points and the remaining columns contain the
kernel estimates.
p Print the kernel density plot.
Fits a kernel regression of the second series in the group (vertical axis) against the first
series in the group (horizontal axis).
Syntax
Group View: group_name.kerfit(options)
Options
Examples
group gg weight height
gg.kerfit(s=w_fit, 200)
Fits a kernel regression of HEIGHT on WEIGHT using 200 points and saves the fitted series
as W_FIT.
Cross-references
See Scatter with Kernel Fit on page 393 of the Users Guide for a discussion of kernel
regression.
See also linefit (p. 322), nnfit (p. 355).
kerfit Group View
k=arg
(default=e)
Kernel type: e (Epanechnikov), r (Triangular), u
(Uniform), n (NormalGaussian), b (Biweight
Quartic), t (Triweight), c (Cosinus).
b=number Specify a number for the bandwidth.
b Bracket bandwidth.
integer
(default=100)
Number of grid points to evaluate.
x Exact evaluation of the polynomial fit.
d=integer
(default=1)
Degree of polynomial to fit. Set d=0 for Nadaraya-
Watson regression.
s=name Save fitted series.
p Print the kernel fit plot.
label317
Display or change the label view of the object, including the last modified date and dis-
play name (if any).
As a procedure, label changes the fields in the object label.
Syntax
Object View: object_name.label
Object Proc: object_name.label(options) text
Options
To modify the label, you should specify one of the following options along with optional
text. If there is no text provided, the specified field will be cleared:
Examples
The following lines replace the remarks field of LWAGE with Data from CPS 1988 March
File:
lwage.label(r)
lwage.label(r) Data from CPS 1988 March File
To append additional remarks to LWAGE, and then to print the label view:
lwage.label(r) Log of hourly wage
lwage.label(p)
To clear and then set the units field, use:
lwage.label(u) Millions of bushels
Cross-references
See Labeling Objects on page 74 of the Users Guide for a discussion of labels.
label Object View | Object Proc
c Clears all text fields in the label.
d Sets the description field to text.
s Sets the source field to text.
u Sets the units field to text.
r Appends text to the remarks field as an additional line.
p Print the label view.
See also displayname (p. 266).
VAR lag order selection criteria.
Syntax
Var View: var_name.laglen(m, options)
You must specify the maximum lag order m for which you wish to test.
Options
The vname= option stores a vector with 5 rows containing the selected lags from the
following criteria: sequential modified LR test (row 1), final prediction error (row 2),
Akaike information criterion (row 3), Schwarz information criterion (row 4), Hannan-
Quinn information criterion (row 5).
The mname= option stores a matrix, where if there are no exoge-
nous variables in the VAR; otherwise . The first rows contain the
information displayed in the table view, following the same order. The saved matrix has an
additional row which contains the lag order selected from each column criterion. The first
column (corresponding to the log likelihood values) of the last row is always an NA.
Examples
show var1.laglen(12,vname=v1)
The first line declares and estimates a VAR. The second line computes the lag length crite-
ria up to a maximum of 12 lags and stores the selected lag orders in a vector named V1.
Cross-references
Users Guide for a discussion of the various criteria and other VAR diagnostics.
See also testlags (p. 480).
laglen Var View
vname=arg Save selected lag orders in named vector. See below for
a description of the stored vector.
mname=arg Save lag order criteria in named matrix. See below for a
description of the stored matrix.
p Print table of lag order criteria.
q 6 q m 1 + =
q m 2 + = q 1 ( )
legend319
Set legend appearance and placement in graphs.
When legend is used with a multiple graph, the legend settings apply to all graphs. See
setelem (p. 426) for setting legends for individual graphs in a multiple graph.
Syntax
Graph Proc: graph_name.legend option_list
Note: the syntax of the legend proc has changed considerably from version 3.1 of EViews.
While not documented here, the EViews 3 options are still (for the most part) supported.
However, we do not recommend using the old options as future support is not guaranteed.
Options
The default settings are taken from the global defaults.
Examples
mygra1.legend display position(l) inbox
places the legend of MYGRA1 in a box to the left of the graph.
legend Graph Proc
columns(arg)
(default=auto)
Columns for legend: auto (automatically choose num-
ber of columns), int (put legend in specified number of
columns).
display/display Display/do not display the legend.
font(n1) Size of font for legend.
inbox/inbox Put legend in box/remove box around legend.
position(arg) Position for legend: left or l (place legend on left
side of graph), right or r (place legend on right side
of graph), botleft or bl (place left-justified legend
below graph), botcenter or bc (place centered leg-
end below graph), botright or br (place right-justi-
fied legend below graph), (h, v) (the first number h
specifies the number of virtual inches to offset to the
right from the origin. The second number v specifies
the virtual inch offset below the origin. The origin is the
upper left hand corner of the graph).
p Print the graph.
mygra1.legend position(.2,.2) -inbox
places the legend of MYGRA1 within the graph, indented slightly from the upper left cor-
ner with no box surrounding the legend text.
Cross-references
discussion of graph objects in EViews.
See also setelem (p. 426) for changing legend text and other graph options.
Display a line graph of object, or change existing graph object type to line plot.
The line graph view of a group plots all series in the group in a graph. The line graph view
of a matrix plots each column in the matrix in a graph.
Syntax
Command: line(options) arg1 [arg2 arg3 ...]
Object View: object_name.line(options)
Graph Proc: graph_name.line(options)
Options
Scale options (for multiple line views of group and matrix objects)
line
p Print the line graph.
line321
Panel options
Examples
group g1 gdp cons m1
g1.line(d)
plots line graphs of the three series in group G1 with dual scaling (no crossing). The latter
two series will share the same scale.
matrix1.line(t=mygra)
displays line graphs of the columns of MATRIX1 using the graph object MYGRA as a tem-
plate.
line(m) gdp cons m1
creates an untitled graph object that contains three line graphs of GDP, CONS, and M1,
with each plotted separately.
s Stacked line graph. Each area represents the cumulative
total of the series listed. The difference between areas
corresponds to the value of a series. May not be used
with the l option.
m Plot lines in multiple graphs (will override the s or l
options). Not for use with an existing graph object.
panel=arg
(default taken
from global set-
tings)
Cross-references
detailed discussion of graphs in EViews.
Scatter plot with bivariate fit.
Displays the scatter plot of the second series (horizontal axis) and the first series (vertical
axis) with a regression fit line. You can specify various transformation methods and
weighting for the bivariate fit.
Syntax
Group View: group_name.linefit(options)
Options
If the polynomial degree of leads to singularities in the regression, EViews will automat-
ically drop the high order terms to avoid collinearity.
linefit Group View
yl Take the natural log of first series, .
yi Take the inverse of .
yp=number Take y to the power of the specified number.
yb=number Take the Box-Cox transformation of with the speci-
fied parameter.
xl Take the natural log of .
xi Take the inverse of .
xp=number Take to the power of the specified number.
xb=number Take the Box-Cox transformation of with the speci-
fied parameter.
xd=integer Fit a polynomial of up to the specified power.
m=integer Set number of robustness iterations.
s=name Save the fitted series.
p Print the scatter plot.
y
y
y
x
x
x
x
x
y
x
link323
Examples
group g1 inf unemp
g1.linefit(yl,xl,s=yfit)
displays a scatter plot of log UNEMP against log INF together with the fitted values from a
regression of log UNEMP on the log INF. The fitted values are saved in a series named
YFIT. Note that the saved fitted values are for the original UNEMP, not the log transform.
g1.linefit(yb=0.5,m=10)
The Box-Cox transformation of UNEMP with parameter 0.5 is regressed on INF with 10
iterations of bisquare weights.
Cross-references
See Scatter with Regression on page 389 of the Users Guide for a discussion of scatter
plot with regression fit.
See also nnfit (p. 355) and kerfit (p. 316).
Create a series link object.
Declares a link object which may be used to refer to data in a series contained in a differ-
ent workfile page. Links are used to create automatically updating match merges using
identifier series or using dates (frequency conversion).
Syntax
Command: link link_name
Command: link link_name.linkto(options) link specification
Follow the link keyword with the name to be given to the link object. If desired, you may
combine the declaration with the linkto (p. 324) proc in order to provide a full link spec-
ification.
Examples
link mylink
creates the link MYLINK with no link specification, while,
link l1.linkto(c=obs,nacat) indiv::x @src ind1 ind2 @dest ind1
ind2
combines the link declaration with the link specification step.
link Object Declaration
Cross-references
For a discussion of linking, see Chapter 8, Series Links, on page 169 of the Users Guide.
See also linkto (p. 324) and unlink (p. 491).
Define the specification of a series link.
Specify the method by which the object uses data in an existing series. Links are used to
perform cross-page match merging or frequency conversion.
Syntax
Link Proc: link_name.linkto(options) source_page::series_name [src_id
dest_id]
Link Proc: link_name.linkto(options) source_page::series_name [@src
src_ids @dest dest_ids]
The most common use of linkto will be to define a link that employs general match
merging. You should use the keyword linkto followed by any desired options, and then
provide the name of the source series followed by the names of the source and destination
IDs. If more than one identifier series is used, you must separate the source and destina-
tion IDs using the @SRC and @DEST keywords.
In the special case where you wish to link your data using date matching, you must use
the special keyword @DATE as an ID series for a regular frequency page. If @DATE is
not specified as either a source or destination ID, EViews will perform an exact match
merge using the specified identifiers.
The other use of linkto will be to define a frequency conversion link between two regu-
lar frequency pages. To specify a frequency conversion link, you should use the linkto
keyword followed by any desired options and then the name of a numeric source series.
You must not specify ID series since a frequency conversion link uses the implicit dates
associated with the regular frequency pagesif ID series are specified, the link will instead
employ general match merging. Note also that if ID series are not specified, but a general
match merge specific conversion option is provided (e.g., c=med), @DATE @DATE
will be appended to the list of IDs and a general match merge employed.
It is worth mentioning that a frequency conversion link that uses an alpha source series
will generate an evaluation error.
Note that linking by frequency conversion is the same as linking by general match merge
using the source and destination IDs @DATE @DATE with the following exceptions:
linkto Link Proc
linkto325
General match merge linking offers contraction methods not available with fre-
quency conversion (e.g., median, variance, skewness).
General match merge linking allows you to use samples to restrict the source obser-
vations used in evaluating the link.
General match merge linking allows you to treat NA values in the ID series as a cat-
egory to be used in matching.
Frequency conversion linking offers expansion methods other than repeat.
Frequency conversion linking provides options for the handling of NA values.
Options
smpl=
sample_spec
Sample to be used when computing contractions in a
link by match merge. By default, EViews will use the
entire workfile sample @ALL.
c=arg Set the match merge contraction or the frequency con-
version method.
If you are linking a numeric source series by general
match merge, the argument can be one of: mean,
med (median), max, min, sum, sumsq (sum-
of-squares), var (variance), sd (standard devia-
tion), skew (skewness), kurt (kurtosis), quant
(quantile, used with quant= option), obs (number
of observations), nas (number of NA values), first
(first observation in group), last (last observation in
group), unique (single unique group value, if
present), none (disallow contractions).
If linking an alpha series, only the non-summary meth-
ods max, min, obs, nas, first, last, unique
and none are supported. For numeric links, the
default contraction method is c=mean; for alpha
links, the default is c=unique.
If you are linking by frequency conversion, you may use
this argument to specify the up- or down-conversion
method using the options found in fetch (p. 279). The
default frequency conversion methods are taken from
the series defaults.
quant=number Quantile value to be used when contracting using the
c=quant option (e.g, quant=.3).
Most of the conversion options should be self-explanatory. As for the others: first and
last give the first and last non-missing observed for a given group ID; obs provides the
number of non-missing values for a given group; nas reports the number of NAs in the
group; unique will provide the value in the source series if it is the identical for all obser-
vations in the group, and will return NA otherwise; none will cause the link to fail if
there are multiple observations in any groupthis setting may be used if you wish to pro-
hibit all contractions.
On a match merge expansion, linking by ID will repeat the values of the source for every
matching value of the destination. If both the source and destination have multiple values
for a given ID, EViews will first perform a contraction in the source (if not ruled out by
c=none), and then perform the expansion by replicating the contracted value in the des-
tination.
Examples
General Match Merge Linking
Let us start with a concrete example. Suppose our active workfile page contains observa-
tions on the 50 states of the US, and contains a series called STATE containing the unique
state identifiers. We also have a workfile page called INDIV that contains data on individu-
als from all over the country, their incomes (INCOME), and their state of birth (BIRTH-
STATE).
Now suppose that we wish to find the median income of males in our data for each possi-
ble state of birth, and then to match merge that value into our 50 observation state page.
The following commands:
link male_income
male_income.linkto(c=med, smpl="if male=1") indiv::income
birthstate state
create the series link MALE_INCOME. MALE_INCOME contains links to the individual
INCOME data, telling EViews to subsample only observations where MALE=1, to com-
pute median values for individuals in each BIRTHSTATE, and to match observations by
comparing the values of BIRTHSTATE to STATE in the current page.
In this next example, we link to the series X in the INDIV page, matching values of the
IND1 and the IND2 series in the two workfile pages. The link will compute the number of
valid observations in the X series for each index group, with NA values in the ID series
treated as a valid identifier value.
nacat Treat NA values as a category when performing link
by general match merge operations.
load327
link l1.linkto(c=obs,nacat) indiv::x @src ind1 ind2 @dest ind1
ind2
You may wish to use the @DATE keyword as an explicit identifier, in order to gain access
to our expanded date matching feature. In our annual workfile, the command:
link gdp.linkto(c=sd) monthly::gdp @date @date
will create link that computes the standard deviation of the values of GDP for each year
and then match merges these values to the years in the current page. Note that this com-
mand is equivalent to:
link gdp.linkto(c=sd) quarterly::gdp
since the presence of the match merge option c=sd and the absence of indices instructs
EViews to perform the link by ID matching using the defaults @DATE and @DATE.
Frequency Conversion Linking
Suppose that we are in an annual workfile page and wish to link data from a quarterly
page. Then the commands:
link gdp
gdp.linkto quarterly::gdp
creates a series link GDP in the current page containing a link by date to the GDP series in
the QUARTERLY workfile page. When evaluating the link, EViews will automatically fre-
quency convert the quarterly GDP to the annual frequency of the current page, using the
series default conversion options. If we wish to control the conversion method, we can
specify the conversion method as an option:
gdp.linkto(c=s) quarterly::gdp
links to GDP in the QUARTERLY page, and will frequency convert by summing the non-
missing observations.
Cross-references
For a detailed discussion of linking, see Chapter 8, Series Links, on page 169 of the
Users Guide.
See also link (p. 323) and unlink (p. 491).
Load a workfile.
Provided for backward compatibility. Same as wfopen (p. 504).
load Command
.
Estimate binary models with logistic errors.
Provide for backward compatibility. Equivalent to issuing the command, binary with the
option (d=l).
See binary (p. 217).
Declare likelihood object.
Syntax
Command: logl logl_name
Examples
logl ll1
declares a likelihood object named LL1.
ll1.append @logl logl1
ll1.append res1 = y-c(1)-c(2)*x
ll1.append logl1 = log(@dnorm(res1/@sqrt(c(3))))-log(c(3))/2
specifies the likelihood function for LL1 and estimates the parameters by maximum likeli-
hood.
Cross-references
See Chapter 22, The Log Likelihood (LogL) Object, on page 655 of the Users Guide for
further examples of the use of the likelihood object.
See also append (p. 202) for adding specification lines to an existing likelihood object, and
ml (p. 352) for estimation.
logit Command
logl Object Declaration
ls329
Estimation by linear or nonlinear least squares regression.
When used as a pool proc or when the current workfile has a panel structure, ls also esti-
mates cross-section weighed least squares, feasible GLS, and fixed and random effects
models.
Syntax
Command: ls(options) y x1 [x2 x3 ...]
ls(options) specification
Equation Method: eq_name.ls(options) y x1 [x2 x3 ...]
eq_name.ls(options) specification
paneleq_name.ls(options) y x1 [x2 x3 ...] [@cxreg z1 z2 ...]
[@perreg z3 z4 ...]
paneleq_name.ls(options) specification
Pool Method: pool_name.ls(options) y x1 [x2 x3 ...] [@cxreg z1 z2 ...] [@perreg
z3 z4 ...]
System Method: system_name.ls(options)
VAR Method: var_name.ls(options) lag_pairs endog_list [@ exog_list]
Additional issues associated with each usage of the keyword are described in the following
sections.
Equations
For linear specifications, list the dependent variable first, followed by a list of the indepen-
dent variables. Use a C if you wish to include a constant or intercept term; unlike some
programs, EViews does not automatically include a constant in the regression. You may
add AR, MA, SAR, and SMA error specifications, and PDL specifications for polynomial
distributed lags. If you include lagged variables, EViews will adjust the sample automati-
cally, if necessary.
Both dependent and independent variables may be created from existing series using stan-
dard EViews functions and transformations. EViews treats the equation as linear in each of
the variables and assigns coefficients C(1), C(2), and so forth to each variable in the list.
Linear or nonlinear single equations may also be specified by explicit equation. You should
specify the equation as a formula. The parameters to be estimated should be included
explicitly: C(1), C(2), and so forth (assuming that you wish to use the default coeffi-
ls
Command || Equation Method | Pool Method | System Method | Var
Method
cient vector C). You may also declare an alternative coefficient vector using coef and
use these coefficients in your expressions.
Pools
When used as a pool method, ls carries out pooled data estimation. Type the name of the
dependent variable followed by one or more lists of regressors. The first list should contain
ordinary and pool series that are restricted to have the same coefficient across all members
of the pool. The second list, if provided, should contain pool variables that have different
coefficients for each cross-section member of the pool. If there is a cross-section specific
regressor list, the two lists must be separated by @CXREG. The third list, if provided,
should contain pool variables that have different coefficients for each period. The list
should be separated from the previous lists by @PERREG.
For pool estimation, you may include AR terms as regressors in either the common or
cross-section specific lists. AR terms are, however, not allowed for some estimation meth-
ods. MA terms are not supported.
VARs
ls estimates an unrestricted VAR using equation-by-equation OLS. You must specify the
order of the VAR (using one or more pairs of lag intervals), and then provide a list of series
or groups to be used as endogenous variables. You may include exogenous variables such
as trends and seasonal dummies in the VAR by including an @-sign followed by a list of
series or groups. A constant is automatically added to the list of exogenous variables; to
estimate a specification without a constant, you should use the option noconst.
Options
General options
coefficients.
ues for equations with AR or MA terms (see also param
(p. 383)).
ls331
Additional Options for Equation, System, and Var estimation
Note: not all options are available for all equation methods. See the Users Guide for details
on each estimation method.
Additional Options for Pool and Panel Equation estimation
s=number Determine starting values for equations specified by list
with AR or MA terms. Specify a number between zero
and one representing the fraction of preliminary least
squares estimates computed without AR or MA terms to
be used. Note that out of range values are set to s=1.
Specifying s=0 initializes coefficients to zero. By
default EViews uses s=1.
showopts /
-showopts
be a one or two letter string. The first letter should
defaults.
p Print basic estimation results.
w =
series_name
Weighted Least Squares. Each observation will be
weighted by multiplying by the specified series.
h Whites heteroskedasticity consistent standard errors.
n Newey-West heteroskedasticity and autocorrelation
consistent (HAC) standard errors.
z Turn off backcasting in ARMA models.
noconst Do not include a constant in exogenous regressors list
for VARs.
cx=arg Cross-section effects: (default) none, fixed effects
(cx=f), random effects (cx=r).
per=arg Period effects: (default) none, fixed effects (per=f),
random effects (per=r).
diag).
heteroskedasticity robust/PCSE (cov=perdiag).
keepwgts Keep full set of GLS weights used in estimation with
object, if applicable (by default, only small memory
weights are saved).
rancalc=arg
(default=sa)
Random component method: Swamy-Arora (ran-
calc=sa), Wansbeek-Kapteyn (rancalc=wk), Wal-
lace-Hussain (rancalc=wh).
b Estimate using a balanced sample (pool estimation
only).
by list); the default behavior is to use the C coeffi-
cient vector.
iter=arg
(default=
onec)
Iteration control for GLS specifications: perform one
weight iteration, then iterate coefficients to convergence
(iter=onec), iterate weights and coefficients simulta-
neously to convergence (iter=sim), iterate weights
and coefficients sequentially to convergence
(iter=seq), perform one weight iteration, then one
coefficient step (iter=oneb).
Note that random effects models currently do not per-
mit weight iteration to convergence.
ls333
Examples
equation eq1.ls m1 c uemp inf(0 to -4) @trend(1960:1)
estimates a linear regression of M1 on a constant, UEMP, INF (from current up to four
lags), and a linear trend.
equation eq2.ls(z) d(tbill) c inf @seas(1) @seas(1)*inf ma(2)
regresses the first difference of TBILL on a constant, INF, a seasonal dummy, and an inter-
action of the dummy and INF, with an MA(2) error. The z option turns off backcasting.
coef(2) beta
param beta(1) .2 beta(2) .5 c(1) 0.1
equation eq3.ls(h) q = beta(1)+beta(2)*(l^c(1) + k^(1-c(1)))
estimates the nonlinear regression starting from the specified initial values. The h option
reports heteroskedasticity consistent standard errors.
equation eq4.ls r = c(1)+c(2)*r(-1)+div(-1)^c(3)
sym betacov = eq4.@cov
declares and estimates a nonlinear equation and stores the coefficient covariance matrix in
a symmetric matrix called BETACOV.
pool1.ls dy? inv? edu? year
estimates pooled OLS of DY? on a constant, INV?, EDU? and YEAR.
pool1.ls(cx=f) dy? @cxreg inv? edu? year ar(1)
estimates a fixed effects model without restricting any of the coefficients to be the same
across pool members.
group rhs c dum1 dum2 dum3 dum4
ls cons rhs ar(1)
uses the group definition for RHS to regress CONS on C, DUM1, DUM2, DUM3, and DUM4,
with an AR(1) correction.
Cross-references
Chapter 15, Basic Regression, on page 427 and Chapter 16, Additional Regression Meth-
ods, on page 445 of the Users Guide discuss the various regression methods in greater
depth.
for a discussion of pool estimation, and Chapter 29, Panel Estimation, on page 885 of the
Users Guide for a discussion of panel equation estimation.
See Equation (p. 155), Pool (p. 169), System (p. 182), and Var (p. 187) for a com-
plete description of these objects, including a list of saved results. See also Appendix C,
Special Expression Reference, on page 535, for special terms that may be used in ls
specifications.
Create group containing the estimated cointegrating relations from a VEC.
Syntax
Var Proc: var_name.makecoint [group_name]
The series contained in the group are given names of the form COINTEQ##, where ##
are numbers such that COINTEQ## is the next available unused name.
If you provide a name for the group in parentheses after the keyword, EViews will quietly
create the named group in the workfile. If you do not provide a name, EViews will open an
untitled group window if the command is executed from the command line, otherwise no
group will be created.
This proc will return an error message unless you have estimated an error correction
model using the var object.
Examples
var vec1.ec(b,2) 1 4 y1 y2 y3
vec1.makecoint gcoint
The first line estimates a VEC with 2 cointegrating relations. The second line creates a
group named GCOINT which contains the two estimated cointegrating relations. The two
cointegrating relations will be stored as series named COINTEQ01 and COINTEQ02 (if
these names have not yet been used in the workfile).
Cross-references
Users Guide for details.
See also coint (p. 240).
makecoint Var Proc
makeendog335
Make a group containing individual series which hold the derivatives of the equation
specification.
Syntax
Equation Proc: equation_name.makederivs(options) [ser1 ser2 ...]
If desired, enclose the name of a new group object to hold the series in parentheses follow-
ing the command name.
The argument specifying the names of the series is also optional. If not provided, EViews
will name the series DERIV## where ## is a number such that DERIV## is the next
available unused name. If the names are provided, the number of names must match the
number of target series.
Cross-references
See Chapter 25, State Space Models and the Kalman Filter, on page 737 of the Users
Guide for details on state space estimation.
See also derivs (p. 264), grads (p. 302), makegrads (p. 337).
Make a group out of the endogenous series.
Syntax
Object Proc: object_name.makeendog name
Following the keyword makeendog, you should provide a name for the group to hold the
endogenous series. If you do not provide a name, EViews will create an untitled group.
Note that in endog and makeendog are no longer supported for model objects. See
instead, makegroup (p. 339).
Examples
var1.makeendog grp_v1
creates a group named GRP_V1 that contains the endogenous series in VAR1.
makederivs Equation Proc
makeendog Sspace Proc | System Proc | Var Proc
Cross-references
See also endog (p. 274) and makegroup (p. 339).
Create a Kalman filter sspace object.
Creates a new sspace object with all estimated parameter values substituted out of the
specification. This procedure allows you to use the structure of the sspace without refer-
ence to estimated coefficients or the estimation sample.
Syntax
Sspace Proc: sspace_name.makefilter [filter_name]
If you provide a name for the sspace object in parentheses after the keyword, EViews will
quietly create the named object in the workfile. If you do not provide a name, EViews will
open an untitled sspace window if the command is executed from the command line.
Examples
ss1.makefilter kfilter
creates a new sspace object named KFILTER, containing the specification in SS1 with esti-
mated parameter values substituted for coefficient elements.
Cross-references
Guide for details on state space models.
See also makesignals (p. 344) and makestates (p. 345).
Generate conditional variance series.
Saves the estimated conditional variance (from an equation estimated using ARCH) as a
named series.
Syntax
Equation Proc: eq_name.makegarch series_name
makefilter Sspace Proc
makegarch Equation Proc
makegrads337
You should provide a name for the saved series following the makegarch keyword. If you
do not provide a name, EViews will name the series using the next available name of the
form GARCH## (if GARCH01 already exists, it will be named GARCH02, and so on).
Examples
equation eq1.arch sp c
eq1.makegarch cvar
plot cvar^.5
estimates a GARCH(1,1) model, saves the conditional variance as a series named CVAR,
and plots the conditional standard deviation. If you merely wish to view a plot of the con-
ditional standard deviation without saving the series, use the garch (p. 295) view.
Cross-references
See Chapter 20, ARCH and GARCH Estimation, on page 585 of the Users Guide for a dis-
cussion of GARCH models.
See also arch (p. 203) archtest (p. 206) and garch (p. 295).
Make a group containing individual series which hold the gradients of the objective func-
tion.
Syntax
Object Proc: object_name.makegrads(options) [ser1 ser2 ...]
The argument specifying the names of the series is also optional. If the argument is not
provided, EViews will name the series GRAD## where ## is a number such that
GRAD## is the next available unused name. If the names are provided, the number of
names must match the number of target series.
Options
Examples
eq1.grads(n=out)
creates a group named OUT containing series named GRAD01, GRAD02, and GRAD03.
makegrads Equation Proc | Logl Proc | Sspace Proc
n=arg Name of group object to contain the series.
eq1.grads(n=out) g1 g2 g3
creates the same group, but names the series G1, G2 and G3.
Cross-references
See also derivs (p. 264), makederivs (p. 335), grads (p. 302).
Make graph object showing model series.
Syntax
Model Proc: model_name.makegraph(options) graph_name model_vars
where graph_name is the name of the resulting graph object, and models_vars are the
names of the series. The list of model_vars may include the following special keywords:
Options
makegraph Model Proc
@all All model variables.
@endog All endogenous model variables.
@exog All exogenous model variables.
@addfactor All add factor variables in the model.
a Include actuals.
c Include comparison scenarios.
d Include deviations.
n Do not include active scenario (by default the active
scenario is included).
t= trans_type
(default=level)
Transformation type: level (display levels in graph,
pch (display percent change in graph), pcha (dis-
play percent change - annual rates - in graph), pchy
(display 1-year percent change in graph), dif (display
1-period differences in graph), dify (display 1-year
differences in graph).
s=sol_type
(default=d)
Solution type: d (deterministic), m (mean of sto-
chastic), s (mean and 2 std. dev. of stochastic), b
(mean and confidence bounds of stochastic).
makegroup339
Examples
mod1.makegraph(a) gr1 y1 y2 y3
creates a graph containing the model series Y1, Y2, and Y3 in the active scenario and the
actual Y1, Y2, and Y3.
mod1.makegraph(a,t=pchy) gr1 y1 y2 y3
plots the same graph, but with data displayed as 1-year percent changes.
Cross-references
See Displaying Data on page 802 of the Users Guide for details. See Chapter 26, Mod-
See makegroup (p. 339).
Make a group out of pool and ordinary series using a pool object, or make a group out of
model series and display dated data table.
Syntax
Pool Proc: pool_name.makegroup(group_name) pool_series1 [pool_series2
pool_series3 ]
Model Proc: model_name.makegroup(options) grp_name model_vars
When used as a pool proc, you should provide a name for the new group in parentheses,
then list the ordinary and pool series to be placed in the group.
When used as a model proc, the makegroup keyword should be followed by options, the
name of the destination group, and the list of model variables to be created. The options
control the choice of model series, and transformation and grouping features of the result-
ing dated data table view. The list of model_vars may include the following special key-
words:
g=grouping
(default=v)
Grouping setting for graphs: v (group series in graph
by model variable), s (group series in graph by sce-
nario), u (ungrouped - each series in its own graph).
makegroup Model Proc | Pool Proc
@all All model variables.
@endog All endogenous model variables.
@exog All exogenous model variables.
Options
For Model Proc
Examples
pool1.makegroup(g1) x? z y?
places the ordinary series Z, and all of the series represented by the pool series X? and Y?,
in the group G1.
model1.makegroup(a,n) group1 @endog
places all of the actual endogenous series in the group GROUP1.
Cross-references
See Displaying Data on page 802 of the Users Guide for details. See Chapter 26, Mod-
See also makegraph (p. 338).
@addfactor All add factor variables in the model.
a Include actuals.
c Include comparison scenarios.
d Include deviations.
n Do not include active scenario (by default the active
scenario is included).
t= arg
(default=level)
Transformation type: level (display levels), pch
(percent change), pcha (display percent change -
annual rates), pchy (display 1-year percent change),
dif (display 1-period differences), dify (display 1-
year differences).
s=arg
(default=d)
Solution type: d (deterministic), m (mean of sto-
chastic), s (mean and 2 std. dev. of stochastic), b
(mean and confidence bounds of stochastic).
g=arg
(default=v)
Grouping setting for graphs: v (group series in graph
by model variable), s (group series in graph by sce-
nario).
makemodel341
Create vector of limit points from ordered models.
makelimits creates a vector of the estimated limit points from equations estimated by
ordered (p. 360).
Syntax
Equation Proc: eq_name.makelimits [vector_name]
Provide a name for the vector after the makelimits keyword. If you do not provide a
name, EViews will name the vector with the next available name of the form LIMITS## (if
LIMITS01 already exists, it will be named LIMITS02, and so on).
Examples
equation eq1.ordered edu c age race gender
eq1.makelimit cutoff
Estimates an ordered probit and saves the estimated limit points in a vector named CUT-
OFF.
Cross-references
See Ordered Dependent Variable Models on page 622 of the Users Guide for a discussion
of ordered models.
Make a model from an estimation object.
Syntax
Object Proc: object_name.makemodel(name) assign_statement
If you provide a name for the model in parentheses after the keyword, EViews will create
the named model in the workfile. If you do not provide a name, EViews will open an unti-
tled model window if the command is executed from the command line.
Examples
var var3.ls 1 4 m1 gdp tb3
var3.makemodel(varmod) @prefix s_
makelimits Equation Proc
makemodel
Equation Proc | Logl Proc | Pool Proc | Sspace Proc | System Proc |
Var Proc
estimates a VAR and makes a model named VARMOD from the estimated var object. VAR-
MOD includes an assignment statement ASSIGN @PREFIX S_. Use the command show
varmod or varmod.spec to open the VARMOD window.
Cross-references
See Chapter 26, Models, on page 761 of the Users Guide for a discussion of specifying
and solving models in EViews.
See also append (p. 202), merge (p. 351) and solve (p. 451). For sspace objects, see also
makefilter (p. 336).
Make regressor group.
Creates a group containing the dependent and independent variables from an equation
specification.
Syntax
Equation Proc: equation_name.makeregs grp_name
Follow the keyword makeregs with the name of the group.
Examples
equation eq1.ls y c x1 x2 x3 z
eq1.makeregs reggroup
creates a group REGGROUP containing the series Y X1 X2 X3 and Z.
Cross-references
See also group (p. 304) and equation (p. 275).
Create residual series.
Creates and saves residuals in the workfile from an object with an estimated equation or
equations.
makeregs Equation Proc
makeresids Equation Proc | Pool Proc | System Proc | Var Proc
makeresids343
Syntax
Equation Proc: equation_name.makeresids(options) [res1]
Object Proc: object_name.makeresids[res1 res2 res3]
Pool Proc: pool_name.makeresids [poolser]
Follow the object name with a period and the makeresids keyword, then provide a list of
names to be given to the stored residuals. For pool residuals, you may use a cross section
identifier ? to specify a set of names.
For multiple equation objects, you should provide as many names as there are equations. If
there are fewer names than equations, EViews creates the extra residual series with names
RESID01, RESID02, and so on. If you do not provide any names, EViews will also name the
residuals RESID01, RESID02, and so on.
[NOTE: makeresids is no longer supported for the sspace object see makesignals
(p. 344) for replacement routines].
Options
The following options are available only for the residuals from single equation objects:
Examples
equation eq1.ls y c m1 inf unemp
eq1.makeresids res_eq1
estimates a linear regression of Y on a constant, M1, INF, UNEMP, and saves the residuals
as a series named RES_EQ1.
var macro_var.ls 1 4 y m1 r
macro_var.makeresids resay res_m1 riser
estimates an unrestricted VAR with four lags and endogenous variables Y, M1, and R, and
stores the residuals as RES_Y, RES_M1, RES_R.
equation probit1.binary y c x z
o (default) Ordinary residuals.
s Standardized residuals (available only after weighted
estimation and GARCH, binary, ordered, censored, and
count models).
g (default for
ordered mod-
els)
Generalized residuals (available only for binary,
ordered, censored, and count models).
n=arg Create group object to hold the residual series.
probit1.makeresids(g) res_g
series score1 = res_g
series score2 = res_g*x
series score3 = res_g*z
estimates a probit model of Y on a constant, X, Z and stores the generalized residuals as
RES_G. Then the vector of scores are computed as SCORE1, SCORE2, SCORE3.
pool1.makeresids res1_?
The residuals of each pool member will have a name starting with RES1_ and the cross-
section identifier substituted for the ?.
Cross-references
See Weighted Least Squares on page 453 of the Users Guide for a discussion of standard-
ized residuals after weighted least squares and Chapter 21, Discrete and Limited Depen-
dent Variable Models, on page 605 of the Users Guide for a discussion of standardized
and generalized residuals in binary, ordered, censored, and count models.
For state space models, see makesignals (p. 344).
Generate signal series or signal standard error series from an estimated sspace object.
Options allow you to choose to generate one-step ahead and smoothed values for the sig-
nals and the signal standard errors.
Syntax
Sspace Proc: name.makesignals(options) [name_spec]
Follow the object name with a period and the makesignal keyword, options to determine
the output type, and a list of names or wildcard expression identifying the series to hold
the output. If a list is used to identify the targets, the number of target series must match
the number of states implied in the sspace. If any signal variable contain expressions, you
may not use wildcard expressions in the destination names.
makesignals Sspace Proc
makestates345
Options
Examples
ss1.makesignals(t=smooth) sm*
produces smoothed signals in the series with names beginning with sm, and ending with
the name of the signal dependent variable.
ss2.makesignals(t=pred, n=pred_sigs) sig1 sig2 sig3
creates a group named PRED_SIGS which contains the one-step ahead signal predictions in
the series SIG1, SIG2, and SIG3.
Cross-references
Guide for details on state space models. For additional discussion of wildcards, see
Appendix B, Wildcards, on page 921 of the Users Guide.
See also forecast (p. 287), makefilter (p. 336) and makestates (p. 345).
Generate state series or state standard error series from an estimated sspace object.
Options allow you to generate one-step ahead, filtered, or smoothed values for the states
and the state standard errors.
Syntax
Sspace Proc: name.makestates(options) [name_spec]
t=output_type
(default=pred)
Defines output type: one-step ahead signal predictions
(pred), RMSE of the one-step ahead signal predictions
(predse, residse), error in one-step ahead signal
predictions (resid), standardized one-step ahead pre-
diction residual (stdresid), smoothed signals
(smooth), RMSE of the smoothed signals
(smoothse), estimate of the disturbances (disturb),
RMSE of the estimate of the disturbances (disturbse),
standardized estimate of the disturbances (stddis-
turb).
n=group_name Name of group to hold newly created series.
makestates Sspace Proc
Follow the object name with a period and the makestate keyword, options to determine
the output type, and a list of names or a wildcard expression identifying the series to hold
the output. If a list is used to identify the targets, the number of target series must match
the number of names implied by the keyword.
Options
Examples
ss1.makestates(t=smooth) sm*
produces smoothed states in the series with names beginning with sm, and ending with
the name of the state dependent variable.
ss2.makestates(t=pred, n=pred_states) sig1 sig2 sig3
creates a group named PRED_STATES which contains the one-step ahead state predictions
in series SIG1, SIG2, and SIG3.
Cross-references
Guide for details on state space models. For additional discussion of wildcards, see
Appendix B, Wildcards, on page 921 of the Users Guide.
See also forecast (p. 287), makefilter (p. 336) and makesignals (p. 344).
t=output_type
(default=pred)
Defines output type: one-step ahead state predictions
(pred), RMSE of the one-step ahead state predictions
(predse), error in one-step ahead state predictions
(resid), RMSE of the one-step ahead state prediction
(residse), filtered states (filt), RMSE of the filtered
states (filtse), standardized one-step ahead prediction
residual (stdresid), smoothed states (smooth),
RMSE of the smoothed states (smoothse), estimate of
the disturbances (disturb), RMSE of the estimate of
the disturbances (disturbse), standardized estimate of
the disturbances (stddisturb).
n=group_name Name of group to hold newly created series.
makestats347
Create and save series of descriptive statistics computed from a pool object.
Syntax
Pool Proc: pool_name.makestats(options) pool_series1 [pool_series2 ...] @
stat_list
You should provide options, a list of series names, an @ separator, and a list of com-
mand names for the statistics you wish to compute. The series will have a name with the
cross-section identifier ? replaced by the statistic command.
Options
Options in parentheses specify the sample to use to compute the statistics
Command names for the statistics to be computed
makestats Pool Proc
i Use individual sample.
c (default) Use common sample.
b Use balanced sample.
obs Number of observations.
mean Mean.
med Median.
var Variance.
sd Standard deviation.
skew Skewness.
kurt Kurtosis.
jarq Jarque-Bera test statistic.
min Minimum value.
max Maximum value.
Examples
pool1.makestats gdp_? edu_? @ mean sd
computes the mean and standard deviation of the GDP_? and EDU_? series in each period
(across the cross-section members) using the default common sample. The mean and stan-
dard deviation series will be named GDP_MEAN, EDU_MEAN, GDP_SD, and EDU_SD.
pool1.makestats(b) gdp_? @ max min
Computes the maximum and minimum values of the GDP_? series in each period using the
balanced sample. The max and min series will be named GDP_MAX and GDP_MIN.
Cross-references
for details on the computation of these statistics and a discussion of the use of individual,
common, and balanced samples in pool.
See also describe (p. 265).
Create system from a pool object or var.
Syntax
Pool Proc: pool_name.makesystem(options) pool_spec
Var Proc: var_name.makesystem(options)
The first usage creates a system out of the pool equation specification. See ls (p. 329) for
details on the syntax of pool_spec. Note that period specific coefficients and effects are not
available in this routine.
The second form is used to create a system out of the current var specification. You may
order the equations by series (default) or by lags.
Options
Pool Options
VAR Options
makesystem Pool Proc | Var Proc
name Specify name for the object.
bylag Specify system by lags (default is to order by variables).
n=name Specify name for the object.
map349
Examples
pool1.makesystem(sys1) inv? cap? @ val?
creates a system named SYS1 with INV? as the dependent variable and a common intercept
for each cross-section member. The regressor CAP? is restricted to have the same coeffi-
cient in each equation, while the VAL? regressor has a different coefficient in each equa-
tion.
pool1.makesystem(sys2,cx=f) inv? @cxreg cap? @cxinst @trend
inv?(-1)
This command creates a system named SYS2 with INV? as the dependent variable and a
different intercept for each cross-section member equation. The regressor CAP? enters each
equation with a different coefficient and each equation has two instrumental variables
@TREND and INV? lagged.
Cross-references
system objects in EViews.
Assign or remove value map setting.
Syntax
Object Proc: series_name.map [valmap_name]
If the optional valmap name is provided, the procedure will assign the specified value map
to the series or alpha. If no name is provided, EViews will remove an existing valmap
assignment.
Examples
alpha1.map mymap
assigns the valmap object MYMAP to the alpha series ALPHA1.
series1.map
removes an existing valmap assignment from SERIES1.
Cross-references
See Value Maps on page 155 of the Users Guide for a discussion of valmap objects in
EViews.
map Alpha Proc | Series Proc
Declare and optionally initializes a matrix object.
Syntax
Command: matrix(r, c) matrix_name[=assignment]
The matrix keyword is followed by the name you wish to give the matrix. matrix also
takes an optional argument specifying the row r and column c dimension of the matrix.
Once declared, matrices may be resized by repeating the matrix command using the orig-
inal name.
You may combine matrix declaration and assignment. If there is no assignment statement,
the matrix will initially be filled with zeros.
You should use sym for symmetric matrices.
Examples
matrix mom
declares a matrix named MOM with one element, initialized to zero.
matrix(3,6) coefs
declares a 3 by 6 matrix named COEFS, filled with zeros.
Cross-references
See Chapter 3, Matrix Language, beginning on page 23 of the Command and Program-
ming Reference for further discussion.
See Matrix (p. 166), Rowvector (p. 172) and Vector (p. 190) and Sym (p. 180) for
full descriptions of the various matrix objects.
Descriptive statistics by category of dependent variable.
Computes and displays descriptive statistics of the explanatory variables (regressors) of an
equation categorized by values of the dependent variable. means is currently available
only for equations estimated by binary.
matrix Object Declaration
means Equation View
merge351
Syntax
Equation View: eq_name.means(options)
Options
Examples
equation eq1.binary(d=l) work c edu faminc
eq1.means
estimates a logit and displays the descriptive statistics of the regressors C, EDU, FAMINC
for WORK=0 and WORK=1.
Cross-references
See Chapter 21, Discrete and Limited Dependent Variable Models, on page 605 of the
Users Guide for a discussion of binary dependent variable models.
Merge objects.
When used as a model procedure, merges equations from an estimated equation, model,
pool, system, or var object. When used as a graph procedure, merges graph objects.
If you supply only the objects name, EViews first searches the current workfile for the
object containing the equation. If the object is not found, EViews looks in the default direc-
tory for an equation or pool file (.DBE). If you want to merge the equations from a system
file (.DBS), a var file (.DBV), or a model file (.DBL), include the extension in the command
and an optional path when merging files. You must merge objects to a model one at a time;
merge appends the object to the equations already existing in the model.
When used as a graph procedure, merge combines graph objects into a single graph
object. The graph objects to merge must exist in the current workfile.
Syntax
Model Proc: model_name.merge(options) object_name
Graph Proc: graph name.merge graph1 graph2 [graph3 ...]
For use as a model procedure, follow the keyword with a name of an object containing esti-
mated equation(s) to merge.
p Print the descriptive statistics table.
merge Graph Proc | Model Proc
For use as a graph procedure, follow the keyword with a list of existing graph object names
to merge.
Options
Examples
eq1.makemodel(mod1)
mod1.merge eq2
mod1.merge(t) c:\data\test.txt
The first line makes a model named MOD1 from EQ1. The second line merges (appends)
EQ2 to MOD1 and the third line further merges (appends) the text file TEST from the spec-
ified directory.
graph mygra.merge gra1 gra2 gra3 gra4
show mygra.align(4,1,1)
The first line merges the four graphs GRA1, GRA2, GRA3, GRA4 into a graph named
MYGRA. The second line displays the four graphs in MYGRA in a single row.
Cross-references
discussion of graphs.
Save graph to disk as an enhanced or ordinary Windows metafile.
Provided for backward compatibility, metafile has been replaced by the more general
graph proc save (p. 407), which allows for saving graphs in metafile or postscript files,
with additional options for controlling the output.
Maximum likelihood estimation of logl and state space models.
Syntax
Object Method: object_name.ml(options)
t Merge an ASCII text file (only for model merge).
metafile Graph Proc
ml Logl Method | Sspace Method
model353
Options
Examples
bvar.ml
estimates the sspace object BVAR by maximum likelihood.
Cross-references
See Chapter 22, The Log Likelihood (LogL) Object, on page 655 and Chapter 25, State
Space Models and the Kalman Filter, on page 737 of the Users Guide for a discussion of
user specified likelihood and state space models.
Declare a model object.
Syntax
Command: model model_name
The keyword model should be followed by a name for the model. To fill the model, you
may use append (p. 202) or merge (p. 351).
Examples
model macro
macro.append cs = 10+0.8*y(-1)
macro.append i = 0.7*(y(-1)-y(-2))
macro.append y = cs+i+g
declares an empty model named MACRO and adds three lines to MACRO.
b Use Berndt-Hall-Hall-Hausman (BHHH) algorithm
(default is Marquardt).
coefficients.
showopts /
-showopts
p Print basic estimation results.
model Object Declaration
Cross-references
See also append (p. 202), merge (p. 351) and solve (p. 451).
Display model solution messages.
Show view containing messages generated by the most recent model solution.
Syntax
Model View: model_name.msg(options)
Options
Cross-references
See also solve (p. 451) and solveopt (p. 452).
Change the names used for legends or axis labels in XY graphs.
Allows you to provide an alternative to the names used for legends or for axis labels in XY
graphs. The name command is available only for single graphs and will be ignored in mul-
tiple graphs.
Syntax
Graph Proc: graph_name.name(n) legend_text
Provide a series number in parentheses and legend_text for the legend (or axis label) after
the keyword. If you do not provide text, the current legend will be removed from the leg-
end/axis label.
msg Model View
p Print the model solution messages.
name Graph Proc
nnfit355
Examples
graph g1.line(d) unemp gdp
g1.name(1) Civilian unemployment rate
g1.name(2) Gross National Product
The first line creates a line graph named G1 with dual scale, no crossing. The second line
replaces the legend of the first series UNEMP, and the third line replaces the legend of the
second series GDP.
graph g2.scat id w h
g2.name(1)
g2.name(2) weight
g2.name(3) height
g2.legend(l)
The first line creates a scatter diagram named G2. The second line removes the legend of
the horizontal axis, and the third and fourth lines replace the legends of the variables on
the vertical axis. The last line moves the legend to the left side of the graph.
Cross-references
discussion of working with graphs.
See also displayname (p. 266).
Nearest neighbor fit.
Displays the fit of the second series (vertical axis) on the first series (horizontal axis) in the
group.
Syntax
Group View: group_name.nnfit(options)
Options
nnfit Group View
b=fraction
(default=0.3)
Bandwidth as a fraction of the total sample. The larger
the fraction, the smoother the fit.
d=integer
(default=1)
Degree of polynomial to fit.
Examples
group gr1 gdp90 gdp50
gr1.nnfit(x,m=3)
displays the nearest neighbor fit of GDP50 on GDP90 with exact (full) sampling and 3
robustness iterations. Each local regression fits the default linear regression, with tricube
weighting and a bandwidth of span 0.3.
group gro1 weight height
gro1.nnfit(50,d=2,m=3)
displays the nearest neighbor fit of HEIGHT on WEIGHT by fitting approximately 50 data
points. Each local regression fits a quadratic, using tricube robustness weights with 3
robustness iterations.
Cross-references
See Scatter with Nearest Neighbor Fit on page 390 of the Users Guide for a discussion of
nearest neighbor regressions.
See also linefit (p. 322) and kerfit (p. 316).
Opens a program file, or text (ASCII) file.
This command should be used to open program files or text (ASCII) files for editing.
b Bracket bandwidth span.
x Exact (full) sampling. Default is Cleveland subsam-
pling.
integer
(default=100)
Approximate number of data points at which to com-
pute the fit (if performing Cleveland subsampling).
u No local weighting. Default is local weighting using
tricube weights.
m=integer Set number of robustness iterations.
s Symmetric neighbors. Default is nearest neighbors.
s=name Save fitted series.
p Print the view.
open Command
open357
You may also use the command to open workfiles or databases. This use of the open com-
mand for this purposes is provided for backward compatibility. We recommend instead
that you use the new commands wfopen (p. 504) and pageload (p. 371) to open a work-
file, and dbopen (p. 257) to open databases.
Syntax
Command: open(options) [path\]file_name
You should provide the name of the file to be opened including the extension (and option-
ally a path), or the file name without an extension but with an option identifying its type.
Specified types always take precedence over automatic type identification. If a path is not
provided, EViews will look for the file in the default directory.
Files with the .PRG extension will be opened as program files, unless otherwise speci-
fied. Files with the .TXT extension will be opened as text files, unless otherwise speci-
fied.
For backward compatibility, files with extensions that are recognized as database files are
opened as EViews databases, unless an explicit type is specified. Similarly, files with the
extensions .WF and .WF1, and foreign files with recognized extensions will be opened
as workfiles, unless otherwise specified.
All other files will be read as text files.
Options
Examples
open finfile.txt
opens a text file named FINFILE.TXT in the default directory.
open "c:\program files\my files\test1.prg"
opens a program file named TEST1.PRG from the specified directory.
open a:\mymemo.tex
opens a text file named MYMEMO.TEX from the A: drive.
p Open file as program file.
t Open file as text file.
type=arg
(prg or txt)
Specify text or program file type using keywords.
Cross-references
See wfopen (p. 504) and pageload (p. 371) for opening files as workfiles or workfile
pages, and dbopen (p. 257) for opening database files.
Set options for a graph object.
Allows you to change the option settings of an existing graph object. When options is
used with a multiple graph, the options are applied to all graphs.
Syntax
Graph Proc: graph_name.options option_list
Note: the syntax of the options proc has changed considerably from version 3.1 of
EViews. While not documented here, the EViews 3 options are still (for the most part) sup-
ported. However, we do not recommend using the old options, as future support is not
guaranteed.
Options
options Graph Proc
size(w, h) Specifies the size of the plotting frame in virtual inches
(w=width, h=height).
inbox / -inbox [Enclose / Do not enclose] the plotting frame in a box
and [include / remove] the yellow background.
indent / -indent [Indent / Do not indent] lines/bars/areas/spikes in the
plotting frame.
lineauto Use solid lines when drawing in color and use patterns
and grayscale when drawing in black and white.
linesolid Always use solid lines.
linepat Always use line patterns.
color / -color Specifies that lines/filled areas [use / do not use] color.
Note that if the lineauto option option is specified,
this choice will also influence the type of line or filled
area drawn on screen: if color is specified, solid colored
lines and filled areas will be drawn; if color is turned
off, lines will be drawn using black and white line pat-
terns, and gray scales will be used for filled areas.
options359
The options which support the - may be proceeded by a + or - indicating whether
to turn on or off the option. The + is optional.
Data labels in bar and pie graphs will only be visible when there is sufficient space in the
graph.
Examples
graph1.option size(4,4) +inbox color
sets GRAPH1 to use a frame enclosed in a box. The graph will use color.
graph1.option linepat -color size(2,8) -inbox
sets GRAPH1 to use a frame with no box. The graph does not use color, with the
lines instead being displayed using patterns.
Cross-references
discussion of graph options in EViews.
See also axis (p. 213), datelabel (p. 252), scale (p. 410) and setelem (p. 426).
barlabelabove /
-barlabelabove
[Place / Do not place] text value of data above bar in
bar graph.
barlabelinside /
-barlabelinside
[Place / Do not place] text value of data inside bar in
bar graph.
outlinebars /
-outlinebars
[Outline / Do not outline] bars in a bar graph.
outlinearea /
-outlinearea
[Outline / Do not outline] areas in an area graph.
barspace /
-barspace
[Put / Do not put] space between bars in bar graph.
pielabel /
-pielabel
[Place / Do not place] text value of data in pie chart.
4 4
2 8
Estimation of ordered dependent variable models.
Syntax
Command: ordered(options) y x1 [x2 x3 ...]
Equation Method: equation name.ordered(options) y x1 [x2 x3 ...]
When used as an equation procedure, ordered estimates the model and saves the results
as an equation object with the given name.
Options
ordered Command || Equation Method
d=arg
(default=n)
Specify likelihood: normal likelihood function, ordered
probit (n ), logistic likelihood function, ordered logit
(l), Type I extreme value likelihood function, ordered
Gompit (x).
rithm.
b Use Berndt-Hall-Hall-Hausman as maximization algo-
rithm.
coefficients.
ues.
starting values as a fraction of preliminary EViews
default values (out of range values are set to s=1).
showopts /
-showopts
output361
If you choose to employ user specified starting values, the parameters corresponding to the
limit points must be in ascending order.
Examples
ordered(d=l,h) y c wage edu kids
estimates an ordered logit model of Y on a constant, WAGE, EDU, and KIDS with QML
standard errors. This command uses the default quadratic hill climbing algorithm.
param c(1) .1 c(2) .2 c(3) .3 c(4) .4 c(5).5
equation eq1.binary(s) y c x z
coef betahat = eq1.@coefs
eq1.makelimit gamma
estimates an ordered probit model of Y on a constant, X, and Z from the specified starting
values. The estimated coefficients are then stored in the coefficient vector BETAHAT, and
the estimated limit points are stored in the vector GAMMA.
Cross-references
See Ordered Dependent Variable Models on page 622 of the Users Guide for additional
discussion.
See binary (p. 217) for the estimation of binary dependent variable models. See also
makelimits (p. 341).
Redirect printer output or display estimation output.
When used as a command, output redirects printer output. You may specify that any pro-
cedure that would normally send output to the printer puts output in a text file, in a Rich
Text Format (RTF) file, or into frozen table or graph objects in the current workfile.
defaults.
p Print results.
output
Command || Equation View | Logl View | Pool View | Sspace View |
System View | Var View
When used as a view of an estimation object, output changes the default object view to
display the estimation output (equivalent to using results (p. 400)).
Syntax
Command: output[(f)] base_name
Command: output(options) [path\]file_name
Command: output off
Object View: object_name.output
By default, the output command redirects the output into frozen objects. You should sup-
ply a base name after the output keyword. Each subsequent print command will create a
new table or graph object in the current workfile, using the base name and an identifying
number. For example, if you supply the base name of OUT, the first print command will
generate a table or graph named OUT01, the second print command will generate OUT02,
and so on.
You can also use the optional settings, described below, to redirect table and text output to
a text file or all output to an RTF file. If you elect to redirect output to a file, you must spec-
ify a filename.
When followed by the optional keyword off, the output command turns off output redi-
rection. Subsequent print commands will be directed to the printer.
Options
Options for output command
f Redirect all output to frozen objects in the default work-
file, using base_name.
t Redirect table and text output to a text file. Graphic out-
put will still be sent to the printer.
r Redirect all output to an Rich Text Format (RTF) file.
o Overwrite file if necessary. If the specified filename for
text or RTF output exists, overwrite the file. The default
is to append to the file.
Only applicable for RTF and text file output (specified
using options t or r).
c Command logging. Output both the output, and the
command used to generate the output.
Only applicable for RTF and text file output (specified
using options t or r).
override363
Options for output view
Examples
output print_
causes the first print command to generate a table or graph object named PRINT_01, the
second print command to generate an object named PRINT_02, and so on.
output(t) c:\data\results
equation eq1.ls(p) log(gdp) c log(k) log(l)
eq1.resids(g,p)
output off
The second line redirects printing to the RESULTS.TXT file, while the print option of the
third line sends the graph output to the printer. The last line turns output redirection off
and restores normal printer use.
If instead, the first line read:
output(r) c:\data\results
all subsequent output would be sent to the RTF file RESULTS.RTF.
The output keyword may also be used to change the default view of an estimation object.
Entering the command:
eq1.output
displays the estimation output for equation EQ1.
Cross-references
See Print Setup beginning on page 919 of the Users Guide for further discussion.
See also pon (p. 608), poff (p. 608).
Specifies (or merges) overridden exogenous variables and add factors in the active sce-
nario.
Syntax
Model Proc: model_name.override(options) ser1 [ser2 ser3 ...]
p Print estimation output for estimation object
override Model Proc
Follow the keyword with the argument list containing the exogenous variables or add fac-
tors you wish to override.
Options
Examples
mod1.override fed1 add1
creates an override list containing the variables FED1 and ADD1.
If you then issue the command:
mod1.override fed1
EViews will replace the original exclude list with one containing only FED1. To add over-
rides to an existing list, use the m option:
modl.override(m) add1
The override list now contains both series.
Cross-references
See the discussion in Specifying Scenarios on page 784 of the Users Guide. See also
Chapter 26, Models, on page 761 of the Users Guide for a general discussion of models.
See also model (p. 353), exclude (p. 278) and solveopt (p. 452).
Append contents of the specified workfile page to the active workfile page.
Syntax
Command: pageappend(options) wfname[\pgname] [object_list]
where wfname is the name of a workfile that is currently in memory. You may optionally
provide the name of a page in wfname that you wish to used as a source, and the list of
objects to be read from the source workfile page. If no wfname is provided, EViews will
use the default page in the source workfile.
The command appends the contents of the source page to the active page in the default
workfile. The target page is first unstructured (if necessary) and its range is expanded to
encompass the combined range of the sample from the source workfile page, and the des-
tination page.
m Merge into (instead of replace) the existing override list.
pageappend Command
pageappend365
The default behavior is to append all series and alpha objects (but not other types) from
the source page, but the optional object_list may be provided to specify specific series, or to
specify objects other than series or alpha objects to be included. Command options may
also be used to modify the list of objects to be included.
Note that since this operation is performed in place, the original workfile page cannot be
recovered. We recommend that you consider backing up your original page using page-
copy (p. 367).
Options
Examples
pageappend updates
appends, to the default workfile page, all of observations in all of the series in the active
page of the workfile UPDATES.
smpl=smpl_spec Specifies an optional sample identifying which observa-
tions from the source page are to be appended. The
default is @all.
allobj Specifies that all objects (including non-series and non-
alpha objects) should be appended. For objects other
than series and alphas, appending involves simply
copying the objects from the source page to the destina-
tion page. This option may not be used with an explicit
object_list specification.
match Specifies that only series and alphas in the append page
that match series and alphas of the same name in the
active page should be appended. This option may not
be used with allobj or with an explicit object_list
specification.
sufix=suffix_arg
(default=_a)
Specifies a string to be added to the end of the source
object name, if necessary, to avoid name collision when
creating a new object in the target page.
obsid=arg Provides the name of a series used to hold the date or
observation ID of each observation in the destination
workfile.
wfid=arg Provides the name of a (boolean) series to hold an indi-
cator of the source for each observation in the destina-
tion workfile (0, if from the destination; 1, if from the
source).
pageappend(match, smpl="1999 2003") updates
restricts the series to those which match (by name) those in the default workfile page, and
restricts the observations to merge to those between 1999 and 2003.
pageappend newdat\page1 income cons
takes only the INCOME and CONS series from the PAGE1 of the NEWDATA workfile, and
appends them to the current workfile page.
pageappend(alltypes, suffix="_1") mydata
appends all objects from MYDATA, merging series with matching names, and renaming
other matching objects by appending _1 to the end of the name.
Cross-references
See Appending to a Workfile on page 226 of the Users Guide for discussion.
See also pagecopy (p. 367).
Contract the active workfile page according to the specified sample.
Syntax
Command: pagecontract smpl_spec
where smpl_spec is a sample specification. Contraction removes observations not in speci-
fied sample from the active workfile page. Note that since this operation is performed in
place, you may wish to backup your original page (see pagecopy (p. 367)) prior to con-
tracting.
Examples
pagecontract if income<50000 and race=2
removes all observations with INCOME values less than or equal to 50000 and RACE not
equal to 2.
pagecontract 1920 1940 1945 2000
removes observations for the years 1941 to 1944.
Cross-references
See Contracting a Workfile on page 229 of the Users Guide for discussion.
See also pagecopy (p. 367).
pagecontract Command
pagecopy367
Copies all or part of the active workfile page to a new workfile, or to a new page within
the default workfile.
Syntax
Command: pagecopy(options) [object_list]
where the optional object_list specifies the workfile objects to be copied. If object_list is not
provided, all objects will be copied subject to the option restrictions discussed below.
If copying objects to a new page within the default workfile, you may choose to copy series
objects (series, alphas, and links) by value or by link (by employing the bylink option).
If you elect to copy by value, links in the source page will converted to ordinary series and
alpha objects when they are copied. If you copy by link, series and alpha objects in the
source page are converted to links when copied. The default is to copy by value.
If you copy objects to a new workfile, data objects must be copied by value.
Options
pagecopy Command
bylink Specifies that series and alpha objects be copied as
links to the source page. This option is not available if
you use the wf= option, since linking requires that
the destination page be in the same workfile as the
source page. Automatically sets the dataonly option
so that only series, alphas, links, and valmaps will be
copied.
tions from the source page are to be copied. The default
is @all.
rndobs=integer Copy only a random subsample of integer observations
from the specified sample. Not available with bylink
or rndpct.
rnpct=arg Copy only a random subsample of arg (a number
between 0 and 1) of the specified sample. Not available
with bylink or rndobs.
Examples
pagecopy(page=allvalue, wf=newwf)
will first create a new workfile named NEWWF, with a page ALLVALUE that has the same
structure as the current page. Next, all of the objects in the active workfile page will be
copied into the new page, with the series objects copied by value. In contrast,
pagecopy(bylink, page=alllink)
will instead create a page ALLLINK in the existing workfile, and will copy all series objects
by creating links in the new page.
pagecopy(page=partcopy, bylink, smpl="1950 2000 if gen-
der="male"") a* *z
will create a new page named PARTCOPY in the existing workfile containing the specified
subsample of observations, and will copy all series objects in the current page beginning
with the letter A or ending with the letter Z. The objects will be copied by creating
links in the new page.
pagecopy(page=rndcopy, smpl="1950 2000 if gender="male"",
rndobs=200, dataonly, nolinks)
creates a new workfile and page RNDCOPY containing a 200 observation random sample
from the specified subsample. Series and alpha objects only will be copied by value from
the source page.
Cross-references
See Copying from a Workfile on page 230 of the Users Guide for discussion.
dataonly Only series, alphas, links, and valmaps should be cop-
ied. The default is to copy all objects (unless the
bylink option is specified, in which case only series
objects are copied).
nolinks Do not copy links from the source page.
wf=wf_name Optional name for the destination workfile. If not pro-
vided, EViews will create a new untitled workfile. Not
available if copying using the bylink option.
page=page_name Optional name for the newly created page. If not pro-
vided, EViews will use the next available name of the
form given by the page structure (e.g., Undated,
Annual, Daily5).
pagecreate369
See also pageappend (p. 364).
Create a new page in the default workfile. The new page becomes the active page.
Syntax
Command: pagecreate(options) freq start_date end_date [num_cross_sections]
Command: pagecreate(options) u num_observations
Command: pagecreate(byid[, options]) identifier_list
The first two forms of this command are the same as wfcreate (p. 503) except that
instead of creating a new workfile, we create a new page in the default workfile.
The first form of the command may be used to create a regular frequency page with the
specified frequency, and start and end date. If you include the optional argument
num_cross_sections, EViews will create a balanced panel page using integer identifiers for
each of the cross-sections. Note that more complex panel structures may be created using
pagestruct (p. 378).
The second form of the command creates an unstructured workfile with the specified num-
ber of observations.
The last form of the command, which uses IDs, creates a new page from the active work-
file page using the unique values of the specified identifier series in the specified sample.
The identifier_list should include all desired ID series.
If you wish to use ID series as date IDs to create a dated page, you should enclose the
series (or the date ID component series) inside parentheses with a special @DATE key-
word identifier. If you wish to use the existing date ID of the source workfile page, you may
use @DATE without arguments.
Options
pagecreate Command
byid Create new page using the identifier list and optional
sample in the default workfile page.
tions to use when creating a page using the byid
option. The default is @all.
Examples
The two commands:
pagecreate(page="annual") a 1950 2005
pagecreate(page="unstruct") u 1000
create new pages in the existing workfile. The first page is an annual page named ANNU-
UAL, containing data from 1950 to 2005; the second is a 1000 observation unstructured
page named UNSTRUCT.
pagecreate(page="mypanel") a 1935 1954 10
creates a new workfile page named MYPANEL, containing a 10 cross-section annual panel
for the years 1935 to 1954.
pagecreate(byid, page="stateind") state industry
creates a new page named STATEIND, using the distinct STATE/INDUSTRY values in the
active page.
pagecreate(byid, page="stateyear") state @date(year)
pagecreate(byid, page="statemonth") @date(year, month)
use the YEAR, and the YEAR and MONTH series, respectively, to form date identifiers that
will be used in creating the new dated workfile pages.
pagecreate(byid, smpl="if sex=1) crossid @date
creates a new page using the CROSSID and existing date ID values of the active workfile
page. Note that only observations in the subsample defined by @all if sex=1 are used to
determine the unique values.
Cross-references
See Creating a Workfile Page on page 58 of the Users Guide for discussion.
See also wfcreate (p. 503) and pagedelete (p. 371).
page=page_name Optional name for the newly created page. If not pro-
vided, EViews will use the next available name of the
form given by the page structure (e.g., Undated,
Annual, Daily5).
pageload371
Delete the named page from the default workfile.
Syntax
Command: pagedelete pgname
where pgname is the name of a page in the default workfile.
Examples
pagedelete page1
Cross-references
See also pagecreate (p. 369).
Load one or more new pages in the default workfile.
Syntax
Command: pageload [path\]workfile_name
Command: pageload(options) source_description [@keep keep_list] [@drop
drop_list] [@keepmap keepmap_list] [@dropmap dropmap_list]
[@selectif condition]
Command: pageload(options)source_description table_description [@keep
keep_list] [@drop drop_list] [@keepmap keepmap_list] [@drop-
map dropmap_list] [@selectif condition]
The basic syntax for pageload follows that of wfopen (p. 504). The difference between
the two commands is that pageload creates a new page in the default workfile, rather than
opening or creating a new workfile. If a page is loaded with a name that matches an exist-
ing page, EViews will rename the new page to the next available name (e.g., INDIVID
will be renamed INDIVID1.
pagedelete Command
pageload Command
Options
Examples
pageload "c:\my documents\data\panel1"
loads the workfile PANEL1.WF1 from the specified directory. All of the pages in the work-
file will be loaded as new pages into the current workfile.
pageload f.wf1
loads all of the pages in the workfile F.WF1 located in the default directory.
See the extensive set of examples in wfopen (p. 504).
Cross-references
See Creating a Page by Loading a Workfile or Data Source on page 60 of the Users Guide
for discussion.
See also wfopen (p. 504) and pagecreate (p. 369).
Load the specified workfile as one or more new pages in the default workfile.
Syntax
Command: pagerename old_name new_name
type=arg / t=arg Optional type specification: Access database file
(access), AremosTSD file (a, aremos, tsd),
Binary file (binary), Excel file (excel), Gauss
dataset file (gauss),GiveWin/PcGive file (g,
give), HTML file/page (html), ODBC database
(odbc), ODBC Dsn file (dsn), ODBC query file
(msquery), MicroTSP workfile (dos microtsp),
MicroTSP Macintosh workfile (mac), Rats file (r,
rats), Rats portable/Troll file (l, trl), SAS program
file (sasprog), SAS transport file (sasxport), SPSS
file (spss), SPSS portable file (spssport), Stata file
(stata), Text file (text), TSP portable file (t,
tsp).
pagerename Command
pagesave373
renames the old_name page in the default workfile to new_name. Page names are case-
insensitive for purposes of comparison, even though they are displayed using the input
case.
Examples
pagerename Page1 StateByYear
Cross-references
See also pagecreate (p. 369).
Save the active page in the default workfile as an EViews workfile (.wf1 file) or as a for-
eign data source.
Syntax
Command: pagesave(options) [path\]filename
Command: pagesave(options) source_description [@keep keep_list] [@drop
[@smpl smpl_spec]
Command: pagesave(options) source_description table_description [@keep
map dropmap_list] [@smpl smpl_spec]
The command saves the active page in the specified directory using filename. By default,
the page is saved as an EViews workfile, but options may be used to save all or part of the
page in a foreign file or data source. See wfopen (p. 504) for details on the syntax of
source_descriptions and table_descriptions.
pagesave Command
Options
Examples
pagesave new_wf
saves the EViews workfile NEW_WF.WF1 in the default directory.
pagesave "c:\documents and settings\my data\consump"
saves the workfile CONSUMP.WF1 in the specified path.
Cross-references
See also wfopen (p. 504) and wfsave (p. 512).
Make the specified page in the default workfile the active page.
Syntax
Command: pageselect pgname
where pgname is the name of a page in the default workfile.
type=arg, t=arg Optional type specification. Access database file
Binary file (binary), EViews database file (e,
evdb), Excel file (excel), Gauss dataset file
(gauss), GiveWin/PcGive file (g, give), HTML
file/page (html), ODBC database (odbc), ODBC
Dsn file (dsn), ODBC query file (msquery),
MicroTSP workfile (dos, microtsp), MicroTSP Mac-
intosh workfile (mac), Rats file (r, rats), Rats
portable/Troll file (l, trl), SAS transport file (sasx-
port), SPSS file (spss), SPSS portable file (spss-
port), Stata file (stata), Text file (text), TSP
portable file (t, tsp).
mode=create Create new file only; error on attempt to overwrite.
maptype=arg Write selected maps as: numeric (n), character (c),
both numeric and character (b).
mapval Write mapped values for series with attached value
labels.
pageselect Command
pagestack375
Examples
pageselect page2
changes the active page to PAGE2.
Cross-references
See also wfselect (p. 514).
Create a panel structured workfile page using series, alphas, or links from the default
workfile page (convert repeated series to repeated observations).
Series in the new panel workfile may be created by stacking series, alphas, and links
whose names contain a pattern (series with names that differ only by a stack identifier),
or by repeating a single series, alpha, or link, for each value in a set of stack identifiers.
Syntax
Command: pagestack(options) stack_id_list [@ series_to_stack]
Command: pagestack(options) pool_name [@ series_to_stack]
Command: pagestack(options) series_name_pattern [@ series_to_stack]
The resulting panel workfile will use the identifiers specified in one of the three forms of
the command:
stack_id_list includes a list of the ID values (e.g., US UK JPN).
pool_name is the name of a pool object that contains the ID values.
series_name_pattern contains an expression from which the ID values may be deter-
mined. The pattern should include the ? character as a stand in for the parts of the
series names containing the stack identifiers. For example, if CONS? is the
series_name_pattern, EViews will find all series with names beginning with CONS
and will extract the IDs from the trailing parts of the observed names.
The series_to_stack list may contain two types of entries: stacked series (corresponding to
sets of series, alphas, and links whose names contain the stack IDs) and simple series
(other series, alphas, and links).
To stack a set of series whose names differ only by the stack IDs, you should enter an
expression that includes the ? character in place of the IDs. You may list the names of a
single stacked series (e.g., GDP? or ?CONS), or you may use expressions containing
the wildcard character * (e.g., *? and ?C*) to specify multiple series.
pagestack Command
By default, the stacked series will be named in the new workfile using the base portion of
the series name (if you specify ?CONS the stacked series will be named CONS), and
will contain the values of the individual series stacked one on top of another. If one of the
individual series associated with a particular stack ID does not exist, the corresponding
stacked values will be assigned the value NA.
Individual (simple) series may also be stacked. You may list the names of individual sim-
ple series (e.g., POP INC), or you can specify your series using expressions containing
the wildcard character * (e.g., *, *C, and F*). A simple series will be stacked on
top of itself, once for each ID value. If the target workfile page is in the same workfile,
EViews will create a link in the new page; otherwise, the stacked series will contain
(repeated) copies of the original values.
When evaluating wildcard expressions, stacked series take precedence over simple series.
This means that simple series wildcards will be processed using the list of series not
already included as a stacked series.
If the series_to_stack list is not specified, the expression *? *, is assumed.
Options
?=name_patt,
idreplace =
name_patt
Specifies the characters to use instead of the identifier,
?, in naming the stacked series.
By default, the name_patt is blank, indicating, for
example, that the stacked series corresponding to the
pattern GDP? will be named GDP in the stacked
workfile page. If pattern is set to STK, the stacked
series will be named GDPSTK.
interleave Interleave the observations in the destination stacked
workfile (stack by using all of the series values for the
first source observation, followed by the values for the
second observation, and so on). The default is to stack
observations by identifier (stack the series one on top of
each other).
wf=wf_name Optional name for the new workfile. If not provided,
EViews will create a new page in the default workfile.
page=page_name Optional name for the page in the destination workfile.
If not provided, EViews will use the next available
name of the form Untitled.
pagestack377
Examples
Consider a workfile that contains the seven series: GDPUS, GDPUK, GDPJPN, CONSUS,
CONSUK, CONSJPN, CONSFR, and WORLDGDP.
pagestack us uk jpn @ *?
creates a new, panel structured workfile page with the series GDP and CONS, containing
the stacked GDP? series (GDPUS, GDPUK, and GDPJPN) and stacked CONS? series (CON-
SUS, CONSUK, and CONSJPN). Note that CONSFR and WORLDGDP will not be copied or
stacked.
We may specify the stacked series list explicitly. For example:
pagestack(page=stackctry) gdp? @ gdp? cons?
first determines the stack IDs from the names of series beginning with GDP, the stacks
the GDP? and CONS? series. Note that this latter example also names the new workfile
page STACKCTRY.
If we have a pool object, we may instruct EViews to use it to specify the IDs:
pagestack(wf=newwf, page=stackctry) countrypool @ gdp? cons?
Here, the panel structured page STACKCTRY will be created in the workfile NEWWF.
Simple series may be specified by adding them to the stack list, either directly, or using
wildcard expressions. Both commands:
pagestack us uk jpn @ gdp? cons? worldgdp consfr
pagestack(wf=altwf) us uk jpn @ gdp? cons? *
stack the various GDP? and CONS? series on top of each other, and stack the simple series
GDPFR and WORLDGDP on top of themselves.
In the first case, we create a new panel structured page in the same workfile containing the
stacked series GDP and CONS and link objects CONSFR and WORLDGDP, which repeat the
values of the series. In the second case, the new panel page in the workfile ALTWF will
contain the stacked GDP and CONS, and series named CONSFR and WORLDGDP contain-
ing repeated copies of the values of the series.
The following two commands are equivalent:
pagestack(wf=newwf) us uk jpn @ *? *
pagestack(wf=newwf) us uk jpn
Here, every series, alpha, and link in the source workfile is stacked and copied to the desti-
nation workfile, either by stacking different series containing the stack_id or by stacking
simple series on top of themselves.
The ?= option may be used to prevent name collision.
pagestack(?="stk") us uk jpn @ gdp? gdp
stacks GDPUS, GDPUK and GDPJPN into a series called GDPSTK and repeats the values of
the simple series GDP in the destination series GDP.
Cross-references
For additional discussion, see Stacking a Workfile on page 243 in the Users Guide. See
also pageunstack (p. 381).
Assign a structure to the active workfile page.
Syntax
Command: pagestruct(options) [id_list]
Command: pagestruct(options) *
where id_list is an (optional) list of ID series. The * may be used as shorthand for the
indices currently in place.
If an id_list is provided, EViews will attempt to auto determine the workfile structure.
Auto-determination may be overridden through the use of options.
If you do not provide an id_list, the workfile will be restructured as a regular frequency
workfile. In this case, either the none or the freq= and start= options described
below must be provided.
Options
pagestruct Command
none Remove the existing workfile structure.
freq= arg Specifies a regular frequency; if not provided EViews
will auto-determine the frequency.
start=arg Start date of the regular frequency structure; if not spec-
ified, defaults to @FIRST. Legal values for arg are
described below.
end=arg End date of the regular frequency structure; if not spec-
ified, defaults to @LAST. Legal values for arg are
described below.
pagestruct379
regular, reg When used with a date ID, this option informs EViews
to insert observations (if necessary) to remove gaps in
the date series so that it follows the regular frequency
calendar. The option has no effect unless a date index is
specified.
create Allow creation of a new series to serve as an additional
ID series when duplicate ID values are found in any
group. EViews will use this new series as the observa-
tion ID.
The default is to prompt in interactive mode and to fail
in programs.
balance=arg,
bal=arg
Balance option (for panel data) describing how EViews
should handle data that are unbalanced across ID
(cross-section) groups.
The arg should be formed using a combination of starts
(s), ends (e), and middles (m), as in bal-
ance=se or balance=m.
If balancing starts (arg contains s), EViews will (if
necessary) add observations to your workfile so that
each cross-section begins at the same observation (the
earliest date or observation observed).
If balancing ends (arg contains e), EViews will add
any observations required so that each cross-section
ends at the same point (the last date or observation
observed).
If balancing middles (arg contains m) EViews will
add observations to ensure that each cross-section has
consecutive observations from the earliest date or
observation for the cross-section to the last date or
observation for the cross-section.
Note that balance=m is implied by the regular
option.
dropna Specifies that observations which contain missing val-
ues (NAs or blank strings) in any ID series (including
the date or observation ID) be removed from the work-
file. If dropna is not specified and NAs are found,
EViews will prompt in interactive mode and fail in pro-
grams.
The values for start and end dates should contain date literals (actual dates or periods),
e.g., 1950q1 and 2/10/1951, @FIRST, or @LAST (first and last observed dates in
the date ID series). Date literals must be used for the start= option when restructuring
to a regular frequency.
In addition, offsets from these date specifications can be specified with a + or fol-
lowed by an integer: @FIRST-5, @LAST+2, 1950m12+6. Offsets are most often
used when resizing the workfile to add or remove observations from the endpoints.
Examples
pagestruct state industry
structures the workfile using the IDs in the STATE and INDUSTRY series.
A date ID series (or a series used to form a date ID) should be tagged using the @DATE
keyword. For example:
pagestruct state @date(year)
pagestruct(regular) @date(year, month)
A * may be used to indicate the indices defined in the current workfile structure.
pagestruct(end=@last+5) *
adds 5 observations to the end of the current workfile.
When you omit the id_list, EViews will attempt to restructured the workfile to a regular
frequency. In this case you must either provide the freq= and start= options to iden-
tify the regular frequency structure, or you must specify none to remove the existing
structure:
pagestruct(freq=a, start=1950)
pagestruct(none)
Cross-references
For extensive discussion, see Structuring a Workfile beginning on page 199 in the Users
Guide.
dropbad Specifies that observations for which any of the date
index series contain values that do not represent dates
be removed from the workfile. If dropbad is not pro-
vided and bad dates are present, EViews will prompt in
interactive mode and fail in programs.
pageunstack381
Unstack workfile page (convert repeated observations to repeated series).
Create a new workfile page by taking series objects (series, alphas, or links) in the default
workfile page and breaking them into multiple series (or alphas), one for each distinct
value found in a user supplied list of series objects. Typically used on a page with a panel
structure.
Syntax
Command: pageunstack(options) stack_id obs_id [@ series_to_unstack]
where stack_id is a single series containing the unstacking ID values used to identify the
individual unstacked series, obs_id is a series containing the observation IDs, and
series_to_unstack is an optional list of series objects to be copied to the new workfile.
Options
Examples
Consider a workfile that contains the series GDP and CONS which contain the values of
Gross Domestic Product and consumption for three countries stacked on top of each other.
Suppose further there is an alpha object called COUNTRY containing the observations
US, UK, and JPN, which identify which from which country each observation of
GDP and CONS comes. Finally, suppose there is a date series DATEID which identifies the
date for each observation. The command:
pageunstack Command
namepat
=name_pattern
Specifies the pattern from which unstacked series
names are constructed, where * indicates the original
series name and ? indicates the stack ID.
By default the name_pattern is *?, indicating, for
example, that if we have the IDs US, UK, JPN,
the unstacked series corresponding to the series GDP
should be named GDPUS, GDPUK, GDPJPN in
the unstacked workfile page.
wf=wf_name Optional name for the new workfile. If not provided,
EViews will create a new page in the default workfile.
page=page_name Optional name for the page in the destination workfile.
If not provided, EViews will use the next available
name of the form Untitled.
pageunstack country dateid @ gdp cons
creates a new workfile page using the workfile frequency and dates found in DATEID. The
page will contain the 6 series GDPUS, GDPUK, GDPJPN, CONSUS, CONSUK, and CON-
SJPN corresponding to the unstacked GDP and CONS.
Typically the source workfile described above would be structured as a dated panel with
the cross-section ID series COUNTRY and the date ID series DATEID. Since the panel has
built-in date information, we may use the @DATE keyword as the DATEID. The com-
mand:
pageunstack country @date @ gdp cons
uses the date portion of the current workfile structure to identify the dates for the
unstacked page..
The stack_id must be an ordinary, or an alpha series that uniquely identifies the groupings
to use in unstacking the series. obs_id may be one or more ordinary series or alpha series,
the combination of which uniquely identify each observation in the new workfile.
You may provide an explicit list of series to unstack following an @ immediately after
the obs_id. Wildcards may be used in this list. For example:
pageunstack country dateid @ g* c*
unstacks all series and alphas that have names that begin with G or C.
If no series_to_unstack list is provided, all series in the source workfile will be unstacked.
Thus, the two commands:
pageunstack country dateid @ *
pageunstack country dateid
are equivalent.
By default, series are named in the destination workfile page by appending the stack_id
values to the original series name. Letting * stand for the original series name and ?
for the stack_id, names are constructed as *?. This default may be changed using the
namepat= option. For example:
pageunstack(namepat="?_*") country dateid @ gdp cons
creates the series US_GDP, UK_GDP, JPN_GDP, etc.
Cross-references
For additional discussion and examples, see Unstacking a Workfile on page 236 of the
Users Guide. See also pagestack (p. 375).
pcomp383
Set parameter values.
Allows you to set the current values of coefficient vectors. The command may be used to
provide starting values for the parameters in nonlinear least squares, nonlinear system esti-
mation, and (optionally) ARMA estimation.
Syntax
Command: param coef_name1 number1 [coef_name2 number2 coef_name3
number3]
List, in pairs, the names of the coefficient vector and its element number followed by the
corresponding starting values for any of the parameters in your equation.
Examples
param c(1) .2 c(2) .1 c(3) .5
resets the first three values of the coefficient vector C.
coef(3) beta
param beta(2) .1 beta(3) .5
The first line declares a coefficient vector BETA of length 3 that is initialized with zeros.
The second line sets the second and third elements of BETA to 0.1 and 0.5, respectively.
Cross-references
See Starting Values on page 471 of the Users Guide for a discussion of setting initial val-
ues in nonlinear estimation.

Principal components analysis.
Syntax
Group View: group_name.pcomp(options) [ser1 ser2 ...]
Enter the name of the group followed by a period, the keyword and optionally, a list of
names to store the first principal components. Separate each name in the list with a
space and do not list more names than the number of series in the group.
param Command
pcomp Group View
k
k
Options
Examples
group g1 x1 x2 x3 x4
freeze(tab1) g1.pcomp(cor, eigval=v1, eigvec=m1) pc1 pc2
The first line creates a group named G1 containing the four series X1, X2, X3, X4. The sec-
ond line stores the first two principal components of the sample correlation matrix in
series named PC1 and PC2. The output view is stored in a table named TAB1, the eigenval-
ues in a vector named V1, and the eigenvectors in a matrix named M1.
Cross-references
See Principal Components on page 373 of the Users Guide for further discussion.
Display pie graph view of data in object, or change existing graph object type to pie chart.
Display pie charts for any number of series or data in a matrix object. There will be one pie
for each date or observation number, or each row of a matrix, provided the values are pos-
itive. Each series or column is shown as a wedge in a different color/pattern, where the
width of the wedge equals the percentage contribution of the series/column to the total of
all listed series.
cor (default) Use sample correlation matrix.
cov Use sample covariance matrix.
dof Degrees of freedom adjustment if cov option used.
Default is no adjustment (compute sample covariance
dividing by rather than ).
eigval=vec_name Specify name of vector to hold the saved the eigenval-
ues in workfile.
eigvec=mat_name Specify name of matrix to hold the save the eigenvec-
tors in workfile.
p Print results.
pie
Command || Graph Command | Group View | Matrix View | Rowvector
View | Sym View
n n 1
pie385
Syntax
Command: pie(options) arg1 [arg2 arg3 ...]
Object View: object_name.pie(options)
Graph Proc: graph_name.pie(options)
To use pie as a command, simply list the name of one or more series or groups, or a
matrix object to include in the pie chart. You may also change the exiting graph type by
using pie as a proc. Simply list the graph name, followed by a period, and the pie key-
word.
Options
Panel options
Examples
smpl 1990 1995
pie cons inv gov
shows six pie charts, each divided into CONS, INV, and GOV.
graph gr1.line cons inv gov
p Print the pie chart.
panel=arg
(default taken
from global set-
tings)
gr1.pie
creates a line graph GR1 and then changes the graph to a pie chart.
Cross-references
See Chapter 14 of the Users Guide for a discussion of graphs and templates.
Line graph.
Provided for backward compatibility. See line (p. 320).
Declare pool object.
Syntax
Command: pool name [id1 id2 id3 ]
Follow the pool keyword with a name for the pool object. You may optionally provide the
identifiers for the cross-section members of the pool object. Pool identifiers may be added
or removed at any time using add (p. 196) and drop (p. 270).
Examples
pool zoo1 dog cat pig owl ant
Declares a pool object named ZOO1 with the listed cross-section identifiers.
Cross-references
Pool on page 169 contains a a complete description of the pool object. See Chapter 27,
Pooled Time Series, Cross-Section Data, on page 809 of the Users Guide for a discussion
of working with pools in EViews.
See add (p. 196) and drop (p. 270). See also ls (p. 329) for details on estimation using a
pool object.
plot Command
pool Object Declaration
print387
Prediction table for binary and ordered dependent variable models.
The prediction table displays the actual and estimated frequencies of each distinct value of
the discrete dependent variable.
Syntax
Equation Proc: eq_name.predict(options)
For binary models, you may optionally specify how large the estimated probability must be
to be considered a success ( ). Specify the cutoff level as an option in parentheses
after the keyword predict.
Options
Examples
equation eq1.binary(d=l) work c edu age race
eq1.predict(0.7)
Estimates a logit and displays the expectation-prediction table using a cutoff probability of
0.7.
Cross-references
See Binary Dependent Variable Models on page 605 of the Users Guide for a discussion
of binary models, and Expectation-Prediction (Classification) Table on page 613 of the
Users Guide for examples of prediction tables.
Sends views of objects to the default printer.
Syntax
Command: print(options) object1 [object2 object3 ]
Command: print(options) object_name.view_command
predict Equation View
n (default=.5) Cutoff probability for success prediction in binary mod-
els (between 0 and 1).
p Print the prediction table.
print Command
y 1 =
print should be followed by a list of object names or a view of an object to be printed.
The list of names must be of the same object type. If you do not specify the view of an
object, print will print the default view for the object.
Options
The default orientation is set by clicking on Print Setup.
Examples
print gdp log(gdp) d(gdp) @pch(gdp)
sends a table of GDP, log of GDP, first difference of GDP, and the percentage change of GDP
to the printer.
print graph1 graph2 graph3
prints three graphs on a single page.
To merge the three graphs, realign them in one row, and print in landscape orientation, you
may use the commands:
graph mygra.merge graph1 graph2 graph3
mygra.align(3,1,1)
print(l) mygra
To estimate the equation EQ1 and send the output view to the printer.
print eq1.ls gdp c gdp(-1)
Cross-references
See Print Setup beginning on page 919 of the Users Guide for a discussion of print
options and the Print Setup dialog.
See output (p. 361) for print redirection.
Estimation of binary dependent variable models with normal errors.
Equivalent to binary(d=n).
See binary (p. 217).
p Print in portrait orientation.
l Print in landscape orientation.
probit Command
qqplot389
Declare a program.
Syntax
Command: program [path\]prog_name
Enter a name for the program after the program keyword. If you do not provide a name,
EViews will open an untitled program window. Programs are text files, not objects.
Examples
program runreg
opens a program window named RUNREG which is ready for program editing.
Cross-references
See Chapter 6, EViews Programming, on page 83 of the Command and Programming
Reference for further details, and examples of writing EViews programs.
See also open (p. 356).
Quantile-quantile plots.
Plots the (empirical) quantiles of a series against the quantiles of a theoretical distribution
or the empirical quantiles of another series. You may specify the theoretical distribution
and/or the method used to compute the empirical quantiles as options.
Syntax
Object View: object_name.qqplot(options)
Options
program Command
qqplot Group View | Series View
n Plot against the quantiles of a normal distribution.
u Plot against the quantiles of a uniform distribution.
e Plot against the quantiles of an exponential distribu-
tion.
l Plot against the quantiles of a logistic distribution.
Examples
equation eq1.binary(d=l) work c edu age race
eq1.makeresid(o) res1
res1.qqplot(l)
estimates a logit, retrieves the residuals, and plots the quantiles of the residuals against the
quantiles from the logistic distribution. If the error distribution is correctly specified, the
QQ-plot should lie on a straight line.
Cross-references
See Quantile-Quantile on page 381 of the Users Guide for a discussion of QQ-plots.
See also cdfplot (p. 230).
Multivariate residual autocorrelation Portmanteau tests.
Syntax
Var View: var_name.qstats(h, options)
You must specify the highest order of lag h to test for serial correlation. h must be larger
than the VAR lag order.
Options
x Plot against the quantiles of an extreme value distribu-
tion.
s=series_name Plot against the (empirical) quantiles of the specified
series.
q=arg
(default=r)
Compute quantiles using the definition: b (Blom), r
(Rankit-Cleveland), o (simple fraction), t (Tukey),
v (van der Waerden).
p Print the QQ-plot.
qstats Var View
name=arg Save Q-statistics in the named matrix object. The
matrix has two columns: the first column contains the
unmodifiedQ-statistic; the second column contains the
modified Q-statistics.
p Print the Portmanteau test results.
read391
Examples
show var1.qstats(l2, name=q)
The first line declares and estimates a VAR. The second line displays the portmanteau tests
for lags up to 12, and stores the Q-statistics in a matrix named Q.
Cross-references
See Diagnostic Views on page 708 of the Users Guide for a discussion of the Portman-
teau tests and other VAR diagnostics.
See arlm (p. 209) for a related multivariate residual serial correlation LM test.
Reset the workfile range for a regular frequency workfile.
No longer supported. See the replacement command pagestruct (p. 378).
Import data from a foreign disk file into an existing EViews workfile.
May be used to import data into an existing workfile from a text, Excel, or Lotus file on
disk. Used as a command, it imports data into series in the workfile. When used as a pro-
cedure, read imports data directly into pool and matrix objects.
Syntax
Command: read(options) [path\]file_name name1 [name2 name3 ...]
Command: read(options) [path\]file_name n
Coef Proc: coef_name.read(options) [path\]file_name
Pool Proc: pool_name.read(options) [path\]file_name pool_ser1 [pool_ser2
pool_ser3 ...]
Matrix Proc: matrix_name.read(options) [path\]file_name
You must supply the name of the source file. If you do not include the optional path speci-
fication, EViews will look for the file in the default directory. Path specifications may point
to local or network drives. If the path specification contains a space, you may enclose the
entire expression in double quotation marks.
range Command
read
Command || Coef Proc | Matrix Proc | Pool Proc | Rowvector Proc |
Sym Proc | Vector Proc
The input specification follows the source file name. In the command form of read, there
are two ways to specify the input series. First, you may list the names of the series in the
order they appear in the file. Second, if the data file contains a header line for the series
names, you may specify the number, n, of series in the file instead of a list of names.
EViews will name the n series using the names given in the header line. If you specify a
number and the data file does not contain a header line, EViews will name the series as
SER01, SER02, SER03, and so on.
For the pool proc form of read, you must provide a list of ordinary or pool series.
Options
File type options
:
If you do not specify the t option, EViews uses the file name extension to determine the
file type. If you specify the t option, the file name extension will not be used to deter-
mine the file type.
Options for ASCII text files
t=dat, txt ASCII (plain text) files.
t=wk1, wk3 Lotus spreadsheet files.
t=xls Excel spreadsheet files.
t Read data organized by series (or transpose the data for
matrix objects). Default is to read by observation with
series in columns.
na=text Specify text for NAs. Default is NA.
d=t Treat tab as delimiter (note: you may specify multiple
delimiter options). The default is d=c only.
d=c Treat comma as delimiter.
d=s Treat space as delimiter.
d=a Treat alpha numeric characters as delimiter.
custom =
symbol
Specify symbol/character to treat as delimiter.
mult Treat multiple delimiters as one.
name Series names provided in file.
label=integer Number of lines between the header line and the data.
Must be used with the name option.
read393
Options for spreadsheet (Lotus, Excel) files
Options for pool reading
Examples
read(t=dat,na=.) a:\mydat.raw id lwage hrs
reads data from an ASCII file MYDAT.RAW in the A: drive. The data in the file are listed by
observation, the missing value NA is coded as a . (dot or period), and there are three
series, which are to be named ID, LWAGE, HRS (from left to right).
rect (default) /
norect
[Treat / Do not treat] file layout as rectangular.
skipcol =
integer
Number of columns to skip. Must be used with the
rect option.
skiprow =
integer
Number of rows to skip. Must be used with the rect
option.
comment=
symbol
Specify character/symbol to treat as comment sign.
Everything to the right of the comment sign is ignored.
Must be used with the rect option.
singlequote Strings are in single quotes, not double quotes.
dropstrings Do not treat strings as NA; simply drop them.
negparen Treat numbers in parentheses as negative numbers.
allowcomma Allow commas in numbers (note that using commas as
a delimiter takes precedence over this option).
currency=
symbol
Specify symbol/character for currency data.
t Read data organized by series (or transpose the data for
matrix objects). Default is to read by observation with
series in columns.
letter_number
(default=b2)
Coordinate of the upper-left cell containing data.
s=sheet_name Sheet name for Excel 58 Workbooks.
bycross
(default) /
byper
Stack pool data by [cross-section / date or period] (only
for pool write).
read(a2,s=sheet3) cps88.xls 10
reads data from an Excel file CPS88 in the default directory. The data are organized by
observation, the upper left data cell is A2, and 10 series are read from a sheet named
SHEET3 using names provided in the file.
read(a2, s=sheet2) "\\network\dr 1\cps91.xls" 10
reads the Excel file CPS91 from the network drive specified in the path.
Cross-references
See Importing Data on page 97 of the Users Guide for a discussion and examples of
importing data from external files.
For powerful, easy-to-use tools for reading data into a new workfile, see Creating a Work-
file by Reading from a Foreign Data Source on page 47 of the Users Guide, pageload
(p. 371), and wfopen (p. 504).
See also write (p. 517).
Rename an object in the active workfile or database.
Syntax
Command: rename old_name new_name
After the rename keyword, list the old object name followed by the new name. Note that
the name specifications may include matching wildcard patterns.
Examples
rename temp_u u2
renames an object named TEMP_U as U2.
rename aa::temp_u aa::u2
renames the object TEMP_U to U2 in database AA.
rename a* b*
renames all objects beginning with the letter A to begin with the letter B.
rename Command
resample395
Cross-references
See Chapter 4, Object Basics, on page 65 of the Users Guide for a discussion of working
with objects in EViews.
Display text of specification for equation, pool, and var objects.
Syntax
Object View: object_name.representation(options)
Options
Examples
pool1.representations
displays the specifications of the estimation object POOL1.
Cross-references
See also spec (p. 454).
Resample from observations in a series or group.
Syntax
Object Proc: object_name.resample(options) [output_spec]
You should follow the resample keyword and options with a list of names or a wildcard
expression identifying the series to hold the output. If a list is used to identify the targets,
the number of target series must match the number of names implied by the keyword.
Options
representations Equation View | Pool View | Var View
p Print the representation text.
resample Group Proc | Series Proc
outsmpl="smpl" Sample to fill the new series. Either provide the sample
range in double quotes or specify a named sample
object. The default is the current workfile sample.
Since we append a suffix for the new name, you may not use groups that contain
auto-series. For example, resampling from a group containing the series X(1) or
LOG(X) will error. You will have to generate new series, say by setting XLAG = X(
1) or LOGX = LOG(X). Then create a new group consisting of XLAG and LOGX and
call the bootstrap procedure on this new group.
If the group name you provide already exists and is a group object, the group object
will be overwritten. If the object already exists but is not a group object, EViews will
error.
Block bootstrap (block length larger than 1) requires a continuous output sample.
Therefore a block length larger than 1 cannot be used together with the fixna
option, and the outsmpl should not contain any gaps.
The fixna option will have an effect only if there are missing values in the overlap-
ping sample of the input sample (current workfile sample) and the output sample
specified by outsmpl.
If you specify fixna, we first copy any missing values in the overlapping sample to
the output series. Then the input sample is adjusted to drop rows containing missing
values and the output sample is adjusted so as not to overwrite the copied values.
If you choose dropna and the block length is larger than 1, the input sample may
shrink in order to ensure that there are no missing values in any of the drawn
blocks.
name=
group_name
Name of group to hold created series.
permute Draw from rows without replacement. Default is to
draw with replacement.
weight=
series_name
Name of series to be used as weights. The weight series
must be non-missing and non-negative in the current
workfile sample. The default is equal weights.
block=integer Block length for each draw. Must be a positive integer.
The default block length is 1.
withna (default) [Draw / Do not draw] from all rows in the current sam-
ple, including those with NAs.
dropna Do not draw from rows that contain missing values in
the current workfile sample.
fixna Excludes NAs from draws but copies rows containing
missing values to the output series.
reset397
If you choose permute, the block option will be reset to 1, the dropna and
fixna options will be ignored (reset to the default withna option), and the
weight option will be ignored (reset to default equal weights).
Examples
group g1 x y
g1.resample
creates new series X_B and Y_B by drawing with replacement from the rows of X and Y in
the current workfile sample. If X_B or Y_B already exist in the workfile, they will be over-
written if they are series objects, otherwise EViews will error. Note that only values of X_B
and Y_B in the output sample (in this case the current workfile sample) will be overwrit-
ten.
g1.resample(weight=wt,suffix=_2) g2
will append _2 to the names for the new series, and will create a gropu objected named
G2 containing these series. The rows in the sample will be drawn with probabilities pro-
portional to the corresponding values in the series WT. WT must have non-missing non-
negative values in the current workfile sample.
Cross-references
See Resample on page 322 of the Users Guide for a discussion of the resampling proce-
dure. For additional discussion of wildcards, see Appendix B, Wildcards, on page 921 of
the Users Guide.
See also @resample (p. 595) and @permute (p. 594) for sampling from matrices.
Compute Ramseys regression specification error test.
Syntax
Command: reset(n, options)
Equation View: eq_name.reset(n, options)
You must provide the number of powers of fitted terms n to include in the test regression.
Options
reset Command || Equation View
p Print the test result.
Examples
equation eq1.ls lwage c edu race gender
eq1.reset(2)
carries out the RESET test by including the square and the cube of the fitted values in the
test equation.
Cross-references
See Ramsey's RESET Test on page 570 of the Users Guide for a discussion of the RESET
test.
Residual correlation matrix.
Displays the correlations of the residuals from each equation in the system, sspace, or var
object, or the residuals from each pool cross-section equation. The sspace object residuals
used in the calculation are the standardized, one-step ahead signal forecast errors.
Syntax
Object View: object_name.residcor(options)
Options
Examples
sys1.residcor
displays the residual correlation matrix of SYS1.
Cross-references
See also residcov (p. 398) and makeresids (p. 342).
Residual covariance matrix.
Displays the covariances of the residuals from each equation in the system, sspace, or var
object, or the residuals from each pool cross-section equation. The sspace object residuals
used in the calculation are the standardized, one-step ahead signal forecast errors.
residcor Pool View | Sspace View | System View | Var View
residcov Pool View | Sspace View | System View | Var View
resids399
Syntax
Object View: object_name.residcov(options)
Options
Examples
var1.residcov
displays the residual covariance matrix of VAR1.
Cross-references
See also residcor (p. 398) and makeresids (p. 342).
Display residuals.
For equation and pool objects, resids allows you to display the actual, fitted values and
residuals in either tabular or graphical form.
For sspace objects, resids allows you to display the actual-fitted-residual graph.
For system, var or pool objects, resids displays multiple graphs of the residuals. Each
graph will contain the residuals for each equation in the system or VAR, or for each cross-
section in the pool.
Syntax
Object View: object_name.resids(options)
Options
Examples
equation eq1.ls m1 c inc tb3 ar(1)
eq1.resids
p Print the covariance matrix.
resids Equation View | Pool View | Sspace View | System View | Var View
g (default) Display graph(s) of residuals.
t Display table(s) of residuals (not available for system,
pool, sspace or var objects).
p Print the table/graph.
regresses M1 on a constant, INC, and TB3, correcting for first order serial correlation, and
displays a table of actual, fitted, and residual series.
eq1.resids(g)
displays a graph of the actual, fitted, and residual series.
Cross-references
See also makeresids (p. 342).
Displays the results view of objects containing estimation output.
Syntax
Object View: object_name.results(options)
Options
Examples
equation eq1.ls m1 c inc tb3 ar(1)
eq1.results(p)
estimates an equation using least squares, and displays and prints the results.
var mvar.ls 1 4 8 8 m1 gdp tb3 @ @trend(70.4)
mvar.results(p)
prints the estimation results from the estimated VAR.
Recursive least squares regression.
The rls view of an equation displays the results of recursive least squares (rolling) regres-
sion. This view is only available for (non-panel) equations estimated by ordinary least
squares without ARMA terms.
You may plot various statistics from rls by choosing an option.
results
Equation View | Logl View | Pool View | Sspace View | System View |
Var View
p Print the view.
rls Equation View
rls401
Syntax
Equation View: eq_name.rls(options) c(1) c(2)
Options
Examples
equation eq1.ls m1 c tb3 gdp
eq1.rls(r,s)
eq1.rls(c) c(2) c(3)
plots and saves the recursive residual series from EQ1 and their standard errors as R_RES
and R_RESSE. The third line plots the recursive slope coefficients of EQ1.
equation eq2.ls m1 c pdl(tb3,12,3) pdl(gdp,12,3)
eq2.rls(c) c(3)
eq2.rls(q)
r Plot the recursive residuals about the zero line with
plus and minus two standard errors.
r,s Plot the recursive residuals and save the residual series
and their standard errors as series named R_RES and
R_RESSE, respectively.
c Plot the recursive coefficient estimates with two stan-
dard error bands.
c,s Plot the listed recursive coefficients and save all coeffi-
cients and their standard errors as series named R_C1,
R_C1SE, R_C2, R_C2SE, and so on.
o Plot the p-values of recursive one-step Chow forecast
tests.
n Plot the p-values of recursive n-step Chow forecast
tests.
q Plot the CUSUM (standardized cumulative recursive
residual) and 5 percent critical lines.
v Plot the CUSUMSQ (CUSUM of squares) statistic and 5
percent critical lines.
p Print the view.
The second command plots the recursive coefficient estimates of PDL02, the linear term in
the polynomial of TB3 coefficients. The third line plots the CUSUM test statistic and the
5% critical lines.
Cross-references
See Recursive Least Squares on page 572 of the Users Guide.
Generate uniform random integers.
The rndint command fills series, vector, and matrix objects with (pseudo) random inte-
gers drawn uniformly from zero to a user specified maximum. The rndint command
ignores the current sample and fills the entire object with random integers.
Syntax
Command: rndint(object_name, n)
Type the name of the series, vector, or matrix object to fill, followed by an integer value
representing the maximum value n of the random integers. n should a positive integer.
Examples
series index
rndint(index,10)
fills the entire series INDEX with integers drawn randomly from 0 to 10. Note that unlike
standard series assignment using genr, rndint ignores the current sample and fills the
series for the entire workfile range.
sym(3) var3
rndint(var3,5)
fills the entire symmetric matrix VAR3 with random integers ranging from 0 to 5.
Cross-references
See the list of available random number generators in Appendix D, Operator and Function
Reference, beginning on page 543.
See also nrnd (p. 539), rnd (p. 541) and rndseed (p. 403).
rndint Command
rndseed403
Seed the random number generator.
Use rndseed when you wish to generate a repeatable sequence of random numbers, or to
select the generator to be used.
Note that EViews 5 has updated the seeding routines of two of our pseudo-random number
generators (backward compatible options are provided). It is strongly recommended that
you use new generators.
Syntax
Command: rndseed(options) integer
Follow the rndseed keyword with the optional generator type and an integer for the seed.
Options
When EViews starts up, the default generator type is set to the improved Knuth lagged
Fibonacci generator. Unless changed using rndseed, Knuths generator will be used for
subsequent pseudo-random number generation.
Examples
rndseed 123456
genr t3=@qtdist(rnd,3)
rndseed 123456
rndseed Command
type=arg
(default=kn)
Type of random number generator: improved Knuth
generator (kn), improved Mersenne Twister (mt),
Knuths (1997) lagged Fibonacci generator used in
EViews 4 (kn4), LEcuyers (1999) combined multiple
recursive generator (le), Matsumoto and Nishimuras
(1998) Mersenne Twister used in EViews 4 (mt4).
Knuth
(kn4)
LEcuyer
(le)
Mersenne Twister
(mt4)
Period
Time (for draws)
27.3 secs 15.7 secs 1.76 secs
Cases failed Diehard test 0 0 0
2
129
2
319
2
19937
10
7
genr t30=@qtdist(rnd,30)
generates random draws from a t-distribution with 3 and 30 degrees of freedom using the
same seed.
Cross-references
At press time, further information on the improved seeds may be found on the web at the
following addresses:
Knuth generator: http://sunburn.stanford.edu/~knuth/news02.html#rng
Mersenne twister: http://www.math.keio.ac.jp/~matumoto/MT2002/emt19937ar.html
See also nrnd (p. 539), rnd (p. 541) and rndint (p. 402).
Declare a rowvector object.
The rowvector command declares and optionally initializes a (row) vector object.
Syntax
Command: rowvector(n1) vector_name
Command: rowvector vector_name=assignment
You may optionally specify the size (number of columns) of the row vector in parentheses
after the rowvector keyword. If you do not specify the size, EViews creates a rowvector
of size 1, unless the declaration is combined with an assignment.
By default, all elements of the vector are set to 0, unless an assignment statement is pro-
vided. EViews will automatically resize new rowvectors, if appropriate.
Examples
rowvector rvec1
rowvector(20) coefvec = 2
rowvector newcoef = coefvec
RVEC1 is a row vector of size one with value 0. COEFVEC is a row vector of size 20 with
all elements equal to 2. NEWCOEF is also a row vector of size 20 with all elements equal to
the same values as COEFVEC.
rowvector Object Declaration
run405
Cross-references
See Rowvector on page 172 for a complete description of the rowvector object.
See also coef (p. 238) and vector (p. 501).
Run a program.
The run command executes a program. The program may be located in memory or stored
in a program file on disk.
Syntax
Command: run(options) [path\]prog_name [%0 %1 ]
If the program has arguments, you should list them after the filename. EViews first checks
to see if the specified program is in memory. If not, it looks for the program on disk in the
current working directory, or in the specified path. EViews expects that program files will
have a .PRG extension.
Options
Examples
run(q) simul x xhat
quietly runs a program named SIMUL from the default directory using arguments X and
XHAT.
run Command
integer
(default=1)
Set maximum errors allowed before halting the pro-
gram.
c Run program file without opening a window for display
of the program file.
verbose / quiet Verbose mode in which messages will be sent to the
status line at the bottom of the EViews window (slower
execution), or quiet mode which suppresses workfile
display updates (faster execution).
v / q Same as [verbose / quiet].
ver4 / ver5 Execute program in [version 4 / version 5] compatibility
mode.
Since run is a command, it may also be placed in a program file. You should note that if
you put the run command in a program file and then execute the program, EViews will
stop after executing the program referred to by the run command. For example, if you have
a program containing:
run simul
print x
the print statement will not be executed since execution will stop after executing the
commands in SIMUL.PRG. If this behavior is not intended, you should consider using the
include (p. 607) statement.
Cross-references
See Executing a Program on page 84 for further details.
See also include (p. 607).
Declare a sample object.
The sample statement declares, and optionally defines, a sample object.
Syntax
Command: sample smpl_name [smpl_statement]
Follow the sample keyword with a name for the sample object and a sample statement. If
no sample statement is provided, the sample object will be set to the current workfile sam-
ple.
To reset the sample dates in a sample object, you must use the set (p. 420) procedure.
Examples
sample ss
declares a sample object named SS and sets it to the current workfile sample.
sample s2 1974q1 1995q4
declares a sample object named S2 and sets it from1974Q1 to 1995Q4.
sample fe_bl @all if gender=1 and race=3
smpl fe_bl
sample Object Declaration
save407
The first line declares a sample FE_BL that includes observations where GENDER=1 and
RACE=3. The second line sets the current sample to FE_BL.
sample sf @last-10 @last
declares a sample object named SF and sets it to the last 10 observations of the current
workfile range.
sample s1 @first 1973q1
s1.set 1973q2 @last
The first line declares a sample object named S1 and sets it from the beginning of the
workfile range to 1973Q1. The second line resets S1 from 1973Q2 to the end of the workfile
range.
Cross-references
See Samples on page 87 of the Users Guide, and Dates on page 127 for a discussion of
using dates and samples in EViews.
See also set (p. 420) and smpl (p. 449).
Save graph to disk as a Windows metafile or PostScript file. Save table to disk as a CSV,
tab-delimited ASCII text, RTF, or HTML file.
save may also be used as a command to save the current workfile to disk. This latter
usage is provided only for backward compatibility, as it has been replaced with the equiv-
alent wfsave (p. 512) command.
Syntax
Object Proc: object_name.save(options) [path\]file_name
Follow the keyword with a name for the file. file_name may include the file type extension,
or the file type may be specified using the t= option. The graph may be saved with an
.EMF, .WMF, or .EPS extension.
If an explicit path is not specified, the file will be stored in the default directory, as set in
the File Locations global options.
save Command | Graph Proc | Table Proc
General Graph Options
Note that if only a width or a height option is specified, EViews will calculate the other
dimension holding the aspect ratio of the graph constant. If both width and height are pro-
vided, the aspect ratio will no longer be locked. EViews will default to the current graph
dimensions if size is unspecified.
All defaults are taken from the global graph export settings (Options/Graphics Defaults.../
Exporting).
Postscript specific Graph Options
Table Options
t=file_type Specifies the file type, where file_type may be one of:
Enhanced Windows metafile (emf, meta, or meta-
file), ordinary Windows metafile (wmf), or Encapsu-
lated PostScript (eps, ps or postscript).
Files will be saved with the .emf, .wmf, and .eps
extensions, respectively.
u=units Specify units of measurement, where units is one of:
in (inches), cm (centimeters), pt (points), pica
(picas).
w=width Set width of the graphic in the selected units.
h=height Set height of the graphic in the selected units.
c / -c [Save / Do not save] the graph in color.
box / -box [Save / Do not save] the graph with a bounding box.
The bounding box is an invisible rectangle placed
around the graphic to indicate its boundaries. The
default is taken from the global graph export settings.
land Save the graph in landscape orientation. The default
uses portrait mode.
t=file_type
(default=
csv)
Specifies the file type, where file_type may be one of:
csv(CSV - comma-separated), rtf (Rich-text for-
mat), txt (tab-delimited text), or html (HTML -
Hypertext Markup Language).
Files will be saved with the .csv, .rtf, .txt, and
.htm extensions, respectively.
save409
Examples
graph1.save(t=ps, -box, land) c:\data\MyGra1
saves GRAPH1 as a PostScript file MYGRA1.EPS. The graph is saved in landscape orienta-
tion without a bounding box.
graph2.save(u=pts, w=300, h=300) MyGra2
saves GRAPH2 in the default directory as an Enhanced Windows metafile MYGRA2.EMF.
The image will be scaled to points.
The command:
tab1.save mytable
saves TAB1 to a CSV file named MYTABLE.CSV in the default directory.
tab1.save(t=csv, n="NAN") mytable
saves TAB1 to a CSV (comma separated value) file named MYTABLE.CSV and writes all
NA values as NAN.
tab1.save(r=B2:C10, t=html, s=.5) mytable
saves from data from the second row, second column, to the tenth row, third column of
TAB1 to a HTML file named MYTABLE.HTM at half of the original size.
tab1.save(f, n=".", r=B) mytable
saves the data in the second column in full precision to a CSV file named
MYTABLE.CSV, and writes all NA values as ..
s=arg Scale size, where arg is from 0.05 to 2, representing the
fraction of the original table size (only valid for HTML
or RTF files).
r=cell_range Range of table cells to be saved. See setfillcolor
(p. 429) for the cell_range syntax. If a range is not pro-
vided, the entire table will be saved.
n=string Replace all cells that contain NA values with the speci-
fied string. NA is the default.
f / -f [Use full precision values/ Do not use full precision]
when saving values to the table (only applicable to
numeric cells). By default, the values will be saved as
they appear in the currently formatted table.
300 300
Cross-references
See Chapter 14, Graphs, Tables, and Text Objects, beginning on page 403 of the Users
Guide for a discussion of graphs and tables.
To save a workfile, see wfsave (p. 512). To redirect output, see output (p. 361).
Declare a scalar object.
The scalar command declares a scalar object and optionally assigns a value.
Syntax
Command: scalar scalar_name[=assignment]
The scalar keyword should be followed by a valid name, and optionally, by an assign-
ment. If there is no explicit assignment, the scalar will be initialized with a value of zero.
Examples
scalar alpha
declares a scalar object named ALPHA with value zero.
equation eq1.ls res c res(-1 to -4) x1 x2
scalar lm = eq1.@regobs*eq1.@r2
show lm
runs a regression, saves the as a scalar named LM, and displays its value in the sta-
tus line at the bottom of the EViews window.
Cross-references
See Scalar on page 174 for a summary of the features of scalar objects in EViews.
Sets axis and data scaling characteristics for the graph.
By default, EViews optimally chooses the axes to fit the graph data.
Syntax
Graph Proc: graph_name.scale(axis_id) options_list
scalar Object Declaration
scale Graph Proc
nR
2
scale411
The axis_id parameter identifies which of the axes the proc modifies. If no option is speci-
fied, the proc will modify all of the axes. axis_id may take on one of the following values:
Note: the syntax of scale has changed considerably from version 4.1 of EViews (see, in
particular axis (p. 213)). While not documented here, the previous options are still (for
the most part) supported. However, we do not recommend using the old options as future
support is not guaranteed.
Options
The options list may include any of the following options:
Data scaling options
Axes scaling options
Note that the default settings are taken from the global defaults.
left / l Left vertical axis.
right / r Right vertical axis.
bottom / b Bottom axis for XY and scatter graphs (scat (p. 412),
xy (p. 528), xyline (p. 530), xypair (p. 532)).
top / t Top axis for XY and scatter graphs (scat (p. 412), xy
(p. 528), xyline (p. 530), xypair (p. 532)).
all / a All axes.
linear Linear data scaling (default).
linearzero Linear data scaling (include zero when auto range
selection is employed).
log Logarithmic scaling (does not apply to boxplots).
norm Norm (standardize) the data prior to plotting (does not
apply to boxplots).
range(arg) Specifies the endpoints for the scale: automatic choice
(auto), use the maximum and minimum values of the
data (minmax), set minimum to n1 and maximum to
n2 (n1, n2), e.g. range(3, 9).
overlap / -over-
lap
[Overlap / Do not overlap] scales on dual scale graphs.
invert / -invert [Invert / do not invert] scale.
Examples
To set the right scale to logarithmic with manual range, you can enter:
graph1.scale(right) log range(10, 30)
Alternatively,
graph1.scale -invert range(minmax)
draws duplicate inverted scales on the left and right axes which are defined to match the
data range.
Cross-references
See also axis (p. 213), datelabel (p. 252), options (p. 358) and setelem (p. 426).
Display scatterplot graph of object, or change existing graph object type to scatterplot (if
possible).
By default, the first series or column of data will be located along the horizontal axis, and
the remaining data on the vertical axis. You may optionally choose to plot the data in pairs,
where the first two series or columns are plotted against each other, the second two series
or columns are plotted against each other, and so forth.
Syntax
Command: scat(options) arg1 [arg2 arg3 ...]
Object View: group_name.scat(options)
Graph Proc: graph_name.scat(options)
If used as a command, follow the keyword by a list of series and group objects, or by a
matrix object. There must be at least two series or columns in the data to be graphed.
Scatterplots are simply XY plots (see xy (p. 528)) with symbols turned on, and lines
turned off (see setelem (p. 426)).
Options
scat
View| Sym View
o=graph_name Use appearance options from the specified graph object.
scat413
Note that the use of a template option will override the symbol setting.
Scale options
Panel options
p Print the scatter plot.
b Plot series or columns in pairs (the first two against
each other, the second two against each other, and so
forth).
d Dual scaling with no crossing.
x Dual scaling with possible crossing.
m Display XY plots in multiple graphs (will override the
s option). Not for use with an existing graph object.
panel=arg
(default taken
from global set-
tings)
Examples
scat unemp inf want
produces an UNTITLED graph object containing a scatter plot, with UNEMP on the hori-
zontal and INF and WANT on the vertical axis.
group med age height weight
med.scat(t=scat2)
produces a scatter plot view of the group object MED, using the graph object SCAT2 as a
template.
group pairs age height weight length
pairs.scat(b)
produces a scatter plot view with AGE plotted against HEIGHT, and WEIGHT plotted
against LENGTH.
If there is an existing graph GRAPH01, the expression:
graph01.scat(b)
changes its type to a scatterplot with data plotted in pairs (if possible), with the remaining
XY graph settings at their default values.
Cross-references
discussion of graphs and templates.
See xy (p. 528), and graph (p. 303) for graph declaration and modification, and addi-
tional graph types. See also xyline (p. 530) for XY line graphs.
Matrix of scatter plots.
The scatmat view displays a matrix of scatter plots for all pairs of series in a group.
Syntax
Group View: group_name.scatmat(options)
Options
scatmat Group View
p Print the scatter plot matrix.
scenario415
Examples
group g1 weight height age
g1.scatmat
displays a matrix of scatter plots for all pairs of the three series in group G1.
Cross-references
See Scatter on page 364 of the Users Guide for a discussion of scatter plot matrices.
Manage the model scenarios.
The scenario procedure is used to set the active and comparison scenarios for a model, to
create new scenarios, to initialize one scenario with settings from another scenario, to
delete scenarios, and to change the variable aliasing associated with a scenario.
Syntax
Model Proc: model_name.scenario(options) "name"
performs scenario options on a scenario given by the specified name (entered in double
quotes). By default the scenario procedure also sets the active scenario to the specified
name.
Options
scenario Model Proc
c Set the comparison scenario to the named scenario.
n Create a new scenario with the specified name.
i="name" Copy the Excludes and Overrides from the named sce-
nario.
d Delete the named scenario.
a=string Set the scenario alias string to be used when creating
aliased variables (string is a 1 to 3 alphanumeric string
to be used in creating aliased variables). If an under-
score is not specified, one will be added to the begin-
ning of the string. Examples: _5, _T, S2. The
string A may not be used since it may conflict with
add factor specifications.
3 3
Examples
The command string,
mod1.scenario "baseline"
sets the active scenario to the baseline, while:
mod1.scenario(c) "actuals"
sets the comparison scenario to the actuals (warning: this action will overwrite any histor-
ical data in the solution period).
A newly created scenario will become the active scenario. Thus:
mod1(n) "Peace Scenario"
creates a scenario called "Peace Scenario" and makes it the active scenario. The scenario
will automatically be assigned a unique numeric alias. To change the alias, simply use the
a= option:
mod1(a=_ps) "Peace Scenario"
changes the alias for Peace Scenario to _PS and makes this scenario the active sce-
nario.
The command:
mod1.scenario(n, a=w, i="Peace Scenario", c) "War Scenario"
creates a scenario called "War Scenario", initializes it with the Excludes and Overrides
contained in "Peace Scenario", associates it with the alias "_W", and makes this scenario
the comparison scenario.
mod1.scenario(i="Scenario 1") "Scenario 2"
copies the Excludes and Overrides in "Scenario 1" to "Scenario 2" and makes "Scenario 2"
the active scenario.
Compatibility Notes
For backward compatibility with EViews 4, the single character option a may be used to
set the comparison scenario, but future support for this option is not guaranteed.
In all of the arguments above the quotation marks around scenario name are currently
optional. Support for the non-quoted names is provided for backward compatibility, but
may be dropped in the future, thus
mod1.scenario Scenario 1
is currently valid, but may not be in future versions of EViews.
seas417
Cross-references
Scenarios are described in detail beginning on page 776 of the Users Guide. Chapter 26,
Models, on page 761 of the Users Guide documents EViews models in great depth.
See also solve (p. 451).
Seasonal adjustment.
The seas command carries out seasonal adjustment using either the ratio to moving aver-
age, or the difference from moving average technique.
EViews also performs Census X11 and X12 seasonal adjustment. For details, see x11
(p. 520) and x12 (p. 522).
Syntax
Command: seas(options) series_name name_adjust [name_fac]
Series Proc: series_name.seas(options) name_adjust [name_fac]
To use seas as a command, list the name of the original series and the name to be given
to the seasonally adjusted series. You may optionally include an additional name for the
seasonal factors. seas will display the seasonal factors using the convention of the Census
X11 program.
seas used as a series procedure applies seasonal adjustment to a series.
Options
Examples
seas(a) pass pass_adj pass_fac
seasonally adjusts the series PASS using the additive method, and saves the adjusted series
as PASS_ADJ and the seasonal factors as PASS_FAC.
sales.seas(m) adj_sales
seasonally adjusts the series SALES using the multiplicative method and saves the adjusted
series as ADJ_SALES.
seas Command || Series Proc
m Multiplicative (ratio to moving average) method.
a Additive (difference from moving average) method.
Cross-references
See Seasonal Adjustment on page 324 of the Users Guide for a discussion of seasonal
adjustment methods.
See also seasplot (p. 418), x11 (p. 520) and x12 (p. 522).
Seasonal line graph.
seasplot displays a line graph view of a series ordered by season. Available only for
quarterly and monthly frequencies.
Syntax
Series View: series_name.seasplot(options)
Options
Examples
freeze(gra_ip) ipnsa.seasplot
creates a graph object named GAR_IP that contains the stacked seasonal line graph view of
the series IPNSA.
Cross-references
See Spreadsheet and Graph Views on page 297 of the Users Guide for a brief discussion
of seasonal line graphs.
See also seas (p. 417), x11 (p. 520) and x12 (p. 522).
Declare a series object.
The series command creates and optionally initializes a series, or modifies an existing
series.
seasplot Series View
m Plot series split by season. Default is to plot series
stacked by season.
series Object Declaration
series419
Syntax
Command: series ser_name[=formula]
The series command should be followed by either the name of a new series, or an
explicit or implicit expression for generating a series. If you create a series and do not ini-
tialize it, the series will be filled with NAs. Rules for composing a formula are given in
Numeric Expressions on page 121 of the Users Guide.
Examples
series x
creates a series named X filled with NAs.
Once a series is declared, you do not need to include the series keyword prior to enter-
ing the formula. The following example generates a series named LOW that takes value 1 if
either INC is less than or equal to 5000 or EDU is less than 13, and 0 otherwise.
series low
low = inc<=5000 or edu<13
This example solves for the implicit relation and generates a series named Z which is the
double log of Y so that Z=log(log(Y)).
series exp(exp(z)) = y
The command:
series z = (x+y)/2
creates a series named Z which is the average of series X and Y.
series cwage = wage*(hrs>5)
generates a series named CWAGE which is equal to WAGE if HRS exceeds 5, and zero oth-
erwise.
series 10^z = y
generates a series named Z which is the base 10 log of Y.
The commands:
series y_t = y
smpl if y<0
y_t = na
smpl @all
generate a series named Y_T which replaces negative values of Y with NAs.
series z = @movav(x(+2),5)
creates a series named Z which is the centered moving average of the series X with two
leads and two lags.
series z = (.5*x(6)+@movsum(x(5),11)+.5*x(-6))/12
generates a series named Z which is the centered moving average of the series X over
twelve periods.
genr y = 2+(5-2)*rnd
creates a series named Y which is a random draw from a uniform distribution between 2
and 5.
series y = 3+@sqr(5)*nrnd
generates a series named Y which is a random draw from a normal distribution with mean
3 and variance 5.
Cross-references
There is an extensive set of functions that you may use with series:
A list of mathematical functions is presented in Appendix D, Operator and Function
Reference, on page 543.
Workfile functions that provide information about observations identifiers or allow
you to construct time trends are described in Appendix E, Workfile Functions, on
page 559.
Functions for working with strings and dates are documented in String Function
Summary on page 127 and Date Function Summary on page 150 .
See Numeric Expressions on page 121 of the Users Guide for a discussion of rules for
forming EViews expressions.
Set the sample in a sample object.
The set procedure resets the sample of an existing sample object.
Syntax
Sample Proc: sample_name.set sample_description
Follow the set command with a sample description. See sample for instructions on
describing a sample.
set Sample Proc
setbpelem421
Examples
sample s1 @first 1973
s1.set 1974 @last
The first line declares and defines a sample object named S1 from the beginning of the
workfile range to 1973. The second line resets S1 from 1974 to the end of the workfile
range.
Cross-references
See Samples on page 87 of the Users Guide for a discussion of samples in EViews.
See also sample (p. 406) and smpl (p. 449).
Enable/disable individual boxplot elements.
Syntax
Graph Proc: graph_name.setbpelem element_list
The element_list may contain one or more of the following:
setbpelem Graph Proc
median, med /
-median, -med
[Show / Do not show] the medians.
mean / -mean [Show / Do not show] the means.
whiskers, w /
-whiskers, -w
[Show / Do not show] the whiskers (lines from the box
to the staples).
staples, s
/ -staples, -s
[Show / Do not show] the staples (lines drawn at the
last data point within the inner fences).
near / -near [Show /Do not show] the near outliers (values between
the inner and outer fences).
far / -far [Show / Do not show] the far outliers (values beyond
the outer fences).
width(arg)
(default
=fixed)
Set the width settings for the boxplots, where arg is one
of: fixed (uniform width), n (proportional to sam-
ple size), rootn (proportional to the square root of
sample size).
Examples
graph01.setbpelem -far width(n) ci(notch)
hides the far outliers, sets the box widths proportional to the number of observations, and
enables notching of the confidence intervals.
Cross-references
See Boxplots on page 397 of the Users Guide for a description of boxplots.
See setelem (p. 426) to modify line and symbol attributes. See also bplabel (p. 226),
options (p. 358), axis (p. 213), and scale (p. 410).
Insert contents into cell of a table.
The setcell command puts a string or number into a cell of a table.
Syntax
Command: setcell(table_name, r, c, content[, "options"])
Options
Provide the following information in parentheses in the following order: the name of the
table object, the row number, r, of the cell, the column number, c, of the cell, a number or
string to put in the cell, and optionally, a justification and/or numerical format code. A
string of text must be enclosed in double quotes.
The justification options are:
The numerical format code determines the format with which a number in a cell is dis-
played; cells containing strings will be unaffected. The format code can either be a positive
ci=arg
(default=
shade)
ci=arg (default
= shade)
Set the display method for the confidence intervals,
where arg is one of: none (do not display), shade
(shaded intervals), notch (notched intervals).
setcell Command
c Center the text/number in the cell.
r Right-justify the text/number in cell.
l Left-justify the text/number in cell.
setcolwidth423
integer, in which case it specifies the number of decimal places to be displayed after the
decimal point, or a negative integer, in which case it specifies the total number of charac-
ters to be used to display the number. These two cases correspond to the Fixed decimal
and Fixed character fields in the number format dialog.
Note that when using a negative format code, one character is always reserved at the start
of a number to indicate its sign, and that if the number contains a decimal point, that will
also be counted as a character. The remaining characters will be used to display digits. If
the number is too large or too small to display in the available space, EViews will attempt
to use scientific notation. If there is insufficient space for scientific notation (six characters
or less), the cell will contain asterisks to indicate an error.
Examples
setcell(tab1, 2, 1, "Subtotal")
puts the string Subtotal in row 2, column 1 of the table object named TAB1.
setcell(tab1, 1, 1, "Price and cost", "r")
puts the a right-justify string "Price and cost" in row 1, column 1 of the table object named
TAB1.
Cross-references
Chapter 4 describes table formatting using commands. See Chapter 14 of the Users Guide
for a discussion and examples of table formatting in EViews.
See also setwidth (p. 444).
Set width of a column of a table.
Provided for backward compatibility. See setwidth (p. 444) for the new method of set-
ting the width of table and spreadsheet columns.
Syntax
Command: setcolwidth(table_name, c, width)
Options
To change the width of a column, provide the following information in parentheses, in the
following order: the name of the table, the column number c, and the number of characters
width for the new width. EViews measures units in terms of the width of a numeric char-
acter. Because different characters have different widths, the actual number of characters
setcolwidth Command
that will fit may differ slightly from the number you specify. By default, each column is
approximately 10 characters wide.
Examples
setcolwidth(mytab,2,20)
sets the second column of table MYTAB to fit approximately 20 characters.
Cross-references
Chapter 4, Working with Tables, on page 47 describes table formatting using commands.
See also Chapter 14, Graphs, Tables, and Text Objects, on page 403 of the Users Guide
See also setwidth (p. 444) and setheight (p. 436).
Set frequency conversion method.
Determines the default frequency conversion method for a series when copied or linked
between different frequency workfiles.
You may override this default conversion method by specifying a frequency conversion
method as an option in the specific command (using copy (p. 244), fetch (p. 279), or
linkto (p. 324)).
If you do not set a conversion method and if you do not specify a conversion method as an
option in the command, EViews will use the conversion method set in the global option.
Syntax
Series Proc: ser_name.setconvert [up_method down_method]
Follow the series name with a period, the keyword, and option letters to specify the fre-
quency conversion method. If either the up-conversion or down-conversion method is
omitted, EViews will set the corresponding method to Use EViews default.
Options
group objects to a workfile, converting from low to high frequency:
setconvert Series Proc
setconvert425
Examples
unemp.setconvert a
sets the default down-conversion method of the series UNEMP to take the average of non-
missing observations, and resets the up-conversion method to use the global default.
ibm_hi.setconvert xn d
sets the default down-conversion method for IBM_HI to take the largest observation of the
higher frequency observations, propagating missing values, and the default up-conversion
method to constant, match sum.
consump.setconvert
resets both methods to the global default.
Cross-references
See Frequency Conversion on page 107 of the Users Guide for a discussion of frequency
conversion and the treatment of missing values.
See also copy (p. 244), fetch (p. 279) and linkto (p. 324).
Low to high
conversion
methods
r (constant match average), d (constant match
sum), q (quadratic match average), t (quadratic
match sum), i (linear match last), c (cubic match
last).
High to low
conversion
methods
High to low conversion methods removing NAs: a
Set individual line, bar and legend options for each series in the graph.
Syntax
Graph Proc: graph_name.setelem(graph_elem) argument_list
where graph_elem is the identifier for the graph element whose options you wish to mod-
ify:
The argument list for setelem may contain one or more of the following:
setelem Graph Proc
integer Index for graph element (for non-boxplot graphs). For
example, if you provide the integer 2, EViews will
modify the second line in the graph.
box_elem Boxplot element to be modified: box (b), median
(med), mean (mean), near outliers (near or
no), far outliers (far or fo), whiskers (w), sta-
ples (s). For boxplot graphs only.
symbol(arg)
Sets the drawing
symbol: arg can be
an integer from 1
13, or one of the
matching keywords.
Selecting a symbol
automatically turns
on symbol use. The
none option turns
off symbol use.
linecolor(args),
lcolor(args)
Sets the line and symbol color. The args value may set
by using one of the color keywords (e.g., blue), or by
using the RGB values (e.g., @RGB(255, 255, 0)). For
a description of the available color keywords, see set-
fillcolor (p. 429).
setelem427
linewidth(n1),
lwidth(n1)
Sets the line and symbol width: n1 should be a number
between .25 and 5, indicating the width in points.
linepattern(arg),
lpat(arg)
Sets the line pattern to the
type specified by arg. arg
can be an integer from 111
or one of the matching key-
words.
Note that the option inter-
acts with the graph options
for color, lineauto,
linesolid, linepat (see
options (p. 358), for
details). You may need to
set the graph option for
linepat to enable the display of line patterns. See
options (p. 358).
The none option turns off lines and uses only sym-
bols.
fillcolor(arg),
fcolor(arg)
Sets the fill color for symbols, bars, and pies. The args
value may set by using of the color keywords (e.g.,
blue), or by using the RGB values (e.g., @RGB(255,
255, 0)). For a description of the available color key-
words, see setfillcolor (p. 429).
fillgray(n1),
gray(n1)
Sets the gray scale for bars and
pies: n1 should be an integer
from 115 corresponding to one
of the predefined gray scale set-
tings (from lightest to darkest).
Examples
graph1.setelem(2) lcolor(blue) lwidth(2) symbol(circle)
sets the second line of GRAPH1 to be a blue line of width 2 with circle symbols.
fillhatch(arg),
hatch(arg)
Sets the hatch character-
istics for bars and pies:
arg can be an integer
from 17, or one of the
matching keywords.
preset(n1) Sets line and fill characteristics to the specified EViews
preset values, where n1 is an integer from 130. Simul-
taneously sets linecolor, linepattern, linewidth,
symbol, fillcolor, fillgray, and fillhatch to the
EViews predefined definitions for graph element n1.
When applied to boxplots, the line color of the specified
element will be applied to the box, whiskers, and sta-
ples.
default(n1) Sets line and fill characteristics to the specified user-
defined default settings where n1 is an integer from 1
30. Simultaneously sets linecolor, linepattern, lin-
ewidth, symbol, fillcolor, fillgray, and fill-
hatch to the values in the user-defined global defaults
for graph element n1.
When applied to boxplots, the line color of the specified
settings will be applied to the box, whiskers, and sta-
ples.
axis(arg),
axisscale(arg)
Assigns the element to an axis: left (l), right (r),
bottom (b), top (t). The latter two options are only
applicable for XY and scatter graphs (scat (p. 412), xy
(p. 528), xyline (p. 530), xypair (p. 532)).
legend(str) Assigns legend text for the element. str will be used in
the legend to label the element.
setfillcolor429
graph1.setelem(1) lcolor(blue)
graph1.setelem(1) linecolor(0, 0, 255)
are equivalent methods of setting the linecolor to blue.
graph1.setelem(1) fillgray(6)
sets the gray-scale color for the first graph element.
The lines:
graph1.setelem(1) scale(l)
graph1.setelem(2) scale(l)
graph1.setelem(3) scale(r)
create a dual scale graph where the first two series are scaled together and labeled on the
left axis, and the third series is scaled and labeled on the right axis.
graph1.setelem(2) legend("gross domestic product")
sets the legend for the second graph element.
Cross-references
discussion of graph options in EViews.
See also axis (p. 213), datelabel (p. 252), scale (p. 410) and options (p. 358).
Set the fill (background) color of the specified table cells.
Syntax
Table Proc: table_name.setfillcolor(cell_range) color_arg
where cell_range can take one of the following forms:
setfillcolor Table Proc
@all Apply to all cells in the table.
cell Cell identifier. You can identify cells using either the
column letter and row number (e.g., A1), or by using
R followed by the row number followed by C and
the column number (e.g., R1C2). Apply to cell.
row[,] col Row number, followed by column letter or number
(e.g., 2,C, or 2,3), separated by ,. Apply to cell.
The color_arg specifies the color to be applied to the text in the cells. The color may be
specified using predefined color names, or by specifying the individual red-green-blue
(RGB) components using the special @RGB function. The latter method is obviously
more difficult, but allows you to use custom colors.
The predefined colors are given by the keywords (with their RGB equivalents):
Examples
To set a purple background color for the cell in the second row and third column of TAB1,
you may use any of the following:
tab1.setfillcolor(C2) @rgb(128, 0, 128)
row Row number (e.g., 2). Apply to all cells in the row.
col Column letter (e.g., B). Apply to all cells in the col-
umn.
first_cell[:]last_cell,
first_cell[,]last_cell
Top left cell of the selection range (specified in cell
format), followed by bottom right cell of the selection
range (specified in cell format), separated by a : or
, (e.g., A2:C10, A2,C10, or R2C1:R10C3,
R2C1,R10C3). Apply to all cells in the rectangular
region defined by the first cell and last cell.
first_cell_row[,]
first_cell_col[,]
last_cell_row[,]
last_cell_col
Top left cell of the selection range (specified in row[,]
col format), followed by bottom right cell of the selec-
tion range (specified in row[,] col format), separated
by a , (e.g., 2,A,10,C or 2,1,10,3). Apply to all
cells in the rectangular region defined by the first cell
and last cell.
blue @rgb(0, 0, 255)
red @rgb(255, 0, 0)
green @rgb(0, 128, 0)
black @rgb(0, 0, 0)
white @rgb(255, 255, 255)
purple @rgb(128, 0, 128)
orange @rgb(255, 128, 0)
yellow @rgb(255, 255, 0)
gray @rgb(128, 128, 128)
ltgray @rgb(192, 192, 192)
setfont431
tab1.setfillcolor(2,C) @RGB(128, 0, 128)
tab1.setfillcolor(2,3) purple
tab1.setfillcolor(r2c3) purple
You may also specify a yellow color for the background of an entire column, or an entire
row,
tab1.setfillcolor(C) @RGB(255, 255, 0)
tab1.setfillcolor(2) yellow
or for the background of the cells in a rectangular region:
tab1.setfillcolor(R2C3:R3C6) ltgray
tab1.setfillcolor(r2c3,r3c6) ltgray
tab1.setfillcolor(2,C,3,F) @rgb(192, 192, 192)
tab1.setfillcolor(2,3,3,6) @rgb(192, 192, 192)
Cross-references
For additional discussion of tables see Chapter 4, Working with Tables, on page 47.
See settextcolor (p. 443)and setfont (p. 431) for details on changing text color and
font, and setlines (p. 440) for drawing lines between around and through cells. See
setformat (p. 432) for setting cell formats.
Set the font for text in the specified table cells.
Syntax
Table Proc: table_name.setfont(cell_range) font_args
where cell_range describes the table cells to be modified, and font_args is a set of argu-
ments used to modify the existing font settings. See setfillcolor (p. 429) for the syn-
tax for cell_range.
The font_args may include one or more of the following:
setfont Table Proc
face_name A string that specifies the typeface name of the font,
enclosed in double quotes.
integer[pt] Integer font size, in points, followed by the pt identi-
fier (e.g., 12pt).
+b / -b [Add / remove] boldface.
Examples
tab1.setfont(B3:D10) "Times New Roman" +i
sets the font to Times New Roman Italic for the cells defined by the rectangle from B3 (row
3, column 2) to D10 (row 10, column 4).
tab1.setfont(3,B,10,D) 8pt
changes all of text in the region to 8 point.
tab1.setfont(4,B) +b -i
removes the italic, and adds boldface to the B4 cell (row 4, column 2).
The commands:
tab1.setfont(b) -s +u 14pt
tab1.setfont(2) "Batang" 14pt +u
modify the fonts for the column B, and row 2, respectively. The first command changes the
point size to 14, removes strikethrough and adds underscoring. The second changes the
typeface to Batang, and adds underscoring,
Cross-references
For additional discussion of tables see Chapter 4, Working with Tables.
See settextcolor (p. 443) and setfillcolor (p. 429) for details on changing the text
and cell background colors. See setformat (p. 432) for setting the cell formats.
Set the display format for cells in object spreadsheet and table views.
Syntax
Group Proc: group_name.setformat(col_range) format_arg
Table Proc: table_name.setformat(cell_range) format_arg
Object Proc: object_name.setformat format_arg
+i / -i [Add / remove] italics.
+s / -s [Add / remove] strikethrough.
+u / -u [Add / remove] underscore.
setformat
Alpha Proc | Coef Proc | Group Proc | Matrix Proc | Series Proc |
Rowvector Proc | Sym Proc | Table Proc | Vector Proc
setformat433
where format_arg is a set of arguments used to specify format settings. If necessary, you
should enclose the format_arg in double quotes.
The cell_range option is used to describe the columns to be updated in groups and the cells
to be modified in tables. For all other objects, setformat operates on all of the cells in the
object.
For groups, the col_range may take one of the following forms:
For tables, the cell_range may take one of the following forms:
@all Apply to all series in the group.
col Column number or letter (e.g., 2, B). Apply to the
series corresponding to the column.
first_col[:]last_col Colon delimited range of columns (from low to high,
e.g., 3:5). Apply to all series corresponding to the col-
umn range.
@all Apply to all cells in the table.
cell Cell identifier. You can identify cells using either the col-
umn letter and row number (e.g., A1), or by using R
followed by the row number followed by C and the
column number (e.g., R1C2). Apply to cell.
row[,] col Row number, followed by column letter or number (e.g.,
2,C, or 2,3), separated by ,. Apply to cell.
row Row number (e.g., 2). Apply to all cells in the row.
col Column letter (e.g., B). Apply to all cells in the col-
umn.
Top left cell of the selection range (specified in cell for-
mat), followed by bottom right cell of the selection range
(specified in cell format), separated by a : or ,
(e.g., A2:C10, A2,C10, or R2C1:R10C3,
R2C1,R10C3). Apply to all cells in the rectangular
region defined by the first cell and last cell.
first_cell_row[,]
first_cell_col[,]
last_cell_row[,]
last_cell_col
Top left cell of the selection range (specified in row[,]
col format), followed by bottom right cell of the selec-
tion range (specified in row[,] col format), separated
by a , (e.g., 2,A,10,C or 2,1,10,3). Apply to all cells
in the rectangular region defined by the first cell and last
cell.
To format numeric values, you should use one of the following format specifications:
In order to set a format that groups digits into thousands, place a t after a specified for-
mat. For example to obtain a fixed number of decimal places, with commas used to sepa-
rate thousands use ft[.precision]. To obtain a fixed number of characters, with a period
used to separate thousands use ct[..precision].
If you wish to display negative numbers surrounded by parentheses (i.e., display the num-
ber -37.2 as (37.2)), then you should enclose the format string in () (e.g., f(.8)).
To format numeric values using date and time formats, you may use a subset of the possi-
ble date format strings (see Date Formats on page 130). The possible format arguments,
along with an example of the date number 730856.944793113 (January 7, 2002
10:40:30.125 p.m) formatted using the argument are given by:
g[.precision] significant digits
f[.precision] fixed decimal places
c[.precision] fixed characters
e[.precision] scientific/float
p[.precision] percentage
r[.precision] fraction
WF (uses current EViews workfile
date display format)
YYYY 2002
YYYY-Mon 2002-Jan
YYYYMon 2002 Jan
YYYY[M]MM 2002[M]01
YYYY:MM 2002:01
YYYY[Q]Q 2002[Q]1
YYYY:Q 2002:Q
YYYY[S]S 2002[S]1 (semi-annual)
YYYY:S 2002:1
YYYY-MM-DD 2002-01-07
YYYY Mon dd 2002 Jan 7
YYYY Month dd 2002 January 7
YYYY-MM-DD HH:MI 2002-01-07 22:40
YYYY-MM-DD HH:MI:SS 2002-01-07 22:40:30
setformat435
Examples
To set the format for a series or a matrix object to fixed 5-digit precision, simply provide
the format specification:
ser1.setformat f.5
matrix1.setformat f.5
For groups, provide the column identifier and format. The commands:
group1.setformat(2) f(.7)
group1.setformat(c) e.5
YYYY-MM-DD HH:MI:SS.SSS 2002-01-07 22:40:30.125
Mon-YYYY Jan-2002
Mon dd YYYY Jan 7 2002
Mon dd, YYYY Jan 7, 2002
Month dd YYYY January 7 2002
Month dd, YYYY January 7, 2002
MM/DD/YYYY 01/07/2002
mm/DD/YYYY 1/07/2002
mm/DD/YYYY HH:MI 1/07/2002 22:40
mm/DD/YYYY HH:MI:SS 1/07/2002 22:40:30
mm/DD/YYYY HH:MI:SS.SSS 1/07/2002 22:40:30.125
mm/dd/YYYY 1/7/2002
mm/dd/YYYY HH:MI 1/7/2002 22:40
mm/dd/YYYY JJ:MI:SS 1/7/2002 22:40:30
mm/dd/YYYY hh:MI:SS.SSS 1/7/2002 22:40:30.125
dd/MM/YYYY 7/01/2002
dd/MM/YYYY HH:MI 7/01/2002 22:40
dd/MM/YYYY HH:MI:SS 7/01/2002 22:40:30
dd/MM/YYYY HH:MI:SS.SSS 7/01/2002 22:40:30.125
hm:MI am 10:40 pm
hm:MI:SS am 10:40:30 pm
hm:MI:SS.SSS am 10:40:30.125 pm
HH:MI 22:40
HH:MI:SS 22:40:30
HH:MI:SS.SSS 22:40:30.125
set the formats for the second and third series in the group.
You may use any of the date formats given above:
ser2.setformat YYYYMon
group1(d).setformat "YYYY-MM-DD HH:MI:SS.SSS"
to set the series display characteristics.
For tables, you must provide a valid cell specification:
tab1.setformat(B2) hh:MI:SS.SSS
tab1.setformat(2,B,10,D) g(.3)
tab1.setformat(R2C2:R4C4) "dd/MM/YY HH:MI:SS.SSS"
Cross-references
For additional discussion of tables see Chapter 4, Working with Tables.
See also setfont (p. 431), settextcolor (p. 443) and setfillcolor (p. 429) for
details on changing the text font and text and cell background colors.
Set the row height of rows in a table.
Syntax
Table Proc: table_name.setheight(row_range) height_arg
where row_range is either a single row number (e.g., 5), a colon delimited range of rows
(from low to high, e.g., 3:5), or the @ALL keyword, and height_arg specifies the
height unit value, where height units are specified in character heights. The character
height is given by the font-specific sum of the units above and below the baseline and the
leading, where the font is given by the default font for the current table (the EViews table
default font at the time the table was created). height_arg values may be non-integer val-
ues with resolution up to 1/10 of a height unit.
Examples
tab1.setheight(2) 1
sets the height of row 2 to match the table font character height, while:
tab1.setheight(2) 1.5
increases the row height to 1-1/2 character heights.
setheight Table Proc
setindent437
tab1.setheight(2:4) 1
sets the heights for rows 2 through 4.
Cross-references
For additional discussion of tables see Chapter 4, Working with Tables, beginning on
page 47.
For details on setting the column widths in a table, see setwidth (p. 444).
Set the display indentation for cells in object spreadsheet and table views.
Syntax
Group Proc: group_name.setindent(col_range) indent_arg
Table Proc: table_name.setindent(cell_range) indent_arg
Object Proc: object_name.setindent indent_arg
where indent_arg is an indent value specified in 1/5 of a width unit. The width unit is
computed from representative characters in the default font for the current table (the
EViews table default font at the time the table was created), and corresponds roughly to a
single character. Indentation is only relevant for non-center justified cells.
The default value is taken from the Global Defaults at the time the view or table is created.
The col_range option is used to describe the columns to be updated in groups and the
cell_range defines the cells to be modified in tables. For all other objects, setformat oper-
ates on all of the cells in the object. See setformat (p. 432) for the syntax for group
col_range and table cell_range specifications.
Examples
To set the justification for a series or a matrix object:
ser1.setindent 2
matrix1.setindent top 4
For groups, you should provide the column identifier, and the format. The commands,
group1.setindent(2) 3
group1.setindent(c) 2
setindent
set the formats for the second and third series in the group, while:
group2.setindent(@all) 3
sets formats for all of the series.
tab1.setindent(@all) 2
tab1.setindent(2,B,10,D) 4
tab1.setindent(R2C2:R4C4) 2
Cross-references
See setwidth (p. 444) and setjust (p. 438) for details on setting spreadsheet and table
widths and justification.
Set the display justification for cells in object spreadsheet and table views.
Syntax
Group Proc: group_name.setjust(col_range) format_arg
Table Proc: table_name.setjust(cell_range) format_arg
Object Proc: object_name.setjust format_arg
where format_arg is a set of arguments used to specify format settings. You should enclose
the format_arg in double quotes if it contains any spaces or delimiters.
The col_range option is used to describe the columns to be updated in groups and the
cell_range defines the cells to be modified in tables. For all other objects, setformat oper-
ates on all of the cells in the object. See setformat (p. 432) for the syntax for group
col_range and table cell_range specifications.
The format_arg may be formed using the following:
setjust
top / middle /
bottom]
Vertical justification setting.
auto / left /
center / right
Horizontal justification setting. Auto uses left justifi-
cation for strings, and right for numbers.
setline439
You may enter one or both of the justification settings. The default settings are object spe-
cific: series and matrix object defaults are taken from the Global Defaults for spreadsheet
views; table defaults are taken from the original view when created by freezing a view, or
as middle bottom for newly created tables.
Examples
To set the justification for a series or a matrix object:
ser1.setjust middle
matrix1.setjust top left
For groups, you should provide the column identifier, and the format. The commands,
group1.setjust(2) bottom center
group1.setjust(c) center middle
set the formats for the second and third series in the group, while:
group2.setjust(@all) right
sets all of the series formats.
tab1.setjust(@all) top
tab1.setjust(2,B,10,D) left bottom
tab1.setjust(R2C2:R4C4) right top
Cross-references
See setwidth (p. 444) and setindent (p. 437) for details on setting spreadsheet and
table widths and indentation.
Place a double horizontal line in a table.
Provided for backward compatibility. For a more general method of setting the line charac-
teristics and borders for a set of table cells, see the table proc setlines (p. 440).
Syntax
Command: setline(table_name, r)
setline Command
Options
Specify the name of the table and the row number r in which to place the horizontal line.
Examples
setline(tab3,8)
places a (double) horizontal line in the eighth row of the table object TAB3.
Cross-references
See also Chapter 14, Graphs, Tables, and Text Objects, on page 403 of the Users Guide
See setlines (p. 440) for more flexible line drawing tools.
Sets line characteristics and borders for a set of table cells.
Syntax
Table Proc: table_name.setlines(cell_range) line_args
where cell_range describes the table cells to be modified, and line_args is a set of argu-
ments used to modify the existing line settings. See setfillcolor (p. 429) for the syntax
for cell_range.
The line_args may contain one or more of the following:
setlines Table Proc
+t / -t Top border [on/off].
+b / -b Bottom border [on/off].
+l / -l Left border [on/off].
+r / -r Right border [on/off].
+i / -i Inner borders [on/off].
+o / -o Outer borders [on/off].
+v / -v Vertical inner borders [on/off].
+h / -h Horizontal inner borders [on/off].
+a / -a All borders [on/off].
+d / -d Double middle lines [on/of]f.
setmerge441
Examples
tab1.setlines(b2:d6) +o
draws borders around the outside of the rectangle defined by B2 and D6. Note that this
command is equivalent to:
tab1.setlines(b2:d6) +a -h -v
which adds borders to all of the cells in the rectangle defined by B2 and D6, then removes
the inner horizontal and vertical borders.
tab1.setlines(2,b) +o
puts a border around all four sides of the B2 cell.
tab1.setlines(2,b) -l -r +i
then removes both the left and the right border from the cell. In this example, +i option
has no effect; since the specification involves a single cell, there are no inner borders.
tab1.setlines(@all) -a
removes all borders from the table.
Cross-references
See also settextcolor (p. 443) for details on setting cell colors. See setmerge (p. 441)
for cell merging, and comment (p. 242) for adding comments to cells.
Merges/unmerges one or more table cells.
Syntax
Table Proc: table_name.setmerge(cell_range)
where cell_range describes the table cells (in a single row) to be merged. The cell_range
specifications are given by:
setmerge Table Proc
If the first specified column is less than the last specified column (left specified before
right), the cells in the row will be merged left to right, otherwise, the cells will be merged
from right to left.The contents of the merged cell will be taken from the first non-empty
cell in the merged region. If merging from left to right, the leftmost cell contents will be
used; if merging from right to left, the rightmost cell contents will be displayed.
If you specify a merge involving previously merged cells, EViews will unmerge all cells
within the specified range.
Examples
tab1.setmerge(a2:d2)
tab1.setmerge(2,1,2,4)
merges the cells in row 2, columns 1 to 4, from left to right.
tab2.setmerge(r2c5:r2c2)
merges the cells in row 2, columns 2 to 5, from right to left. We may then unmerge cells by
issuing the command using any of the previously merged cells:
unmerges the previously merged cells.
Note that in all cases, the setmerge command must be specified using cells in a single
row. The command:
generates an error since the cell specification involves rows 2 and 3.
Left (right) cell of the selection range (specified in cell
format), followed by right (left) cell of the selection
range (specified in cell format), separated by a : or
, (e.g., A2:C2, A2,C2, or R2C1:R2C3,
R2C1,R2C3). Merge all cells in the region defined by
the first column and last column for the specified row.
cell_row[,]
first_cell_col[,]
cell_row[,]
last_cell_col
Left (right) cell of the selection range (specified in
row[,] col format), followed by right (left) cell of the
selection range (specified in row[,] col format, with a
fixed row), separated by a , (e.g., 2,A,2,C or
2,1,2,3). Merge all cells in the row defined by the first
column and last column identifier.
settextcolor443
Cross-references
See also setlines (p. 440).
Changes the text color of the specified table cells.
Syntax
Table Proc: table_name.settextcolor(cell_range) color_arg
where cell_range describes the table cells to be modified, and color_arg specifies the color
to be applied to the text in the cells. See setfillcolor (p. 429) for the syntax for
cell_range and color_arg.
Examples
To set an orange text color for the cell in the second row and sixth column of TAB1, you
may use:
tab1.settextcolor(f2) @rgb(255, 128, 0)
tab1.settextcolor(2,f) @RGB(255, 128, 0)
tab1.settextcolor(2,6) orange
tab1.settextcolor(r2c6) orange
You may also specify a blue color for the text in an entire column, or an entire row,
tab1.settextcolor(C) @RGB(0, 0, 255)
tab1.settextcolor(2) blue
or a green color for the text in cells in a rectangular region:
tab1.settextcolor(R2C3:R3C6) green
tab1.settextcolor(r2c3,r3c6) green
tab1.settextcolor(2,C,3,F) @rgb(0, 255, 0)
tab1.settextcolor(2,3,3,6) @rgb(0, 255, 0)
Cross-references
See setfont (p. 431)and setfillcolor (p. 429) for details on changing the text font
and cell background color.
settextcolor Table Proc
Set the column width for selected columns in an object spreadsheet.
Syntax
Object Proc: object_name.setwidth width_arg
Object Proc: object_name.setwidth(col_range) width_arg
where col_range is either a single column number or letter (e.g., 5, E), a colon delim-
ited range of columns (from low to high, e.g., 3:5, C:E), or the keyword @ALL, and
width_arg specifies the width unit value, The width unit is computed from representative
characters in the default font for the current table (the EViews table default font at the time
the table was created), and corresponds roughly to a single character. width_arg values
may be non-integer values with resolution up to 1/10 of a width unit.
Examples
tab1.setwidth(2) 12
sets the width of column 2 to 12 width units.
tab1.setwidth(2:10) 20
sets the widths for columns 2 through 10 to 20 width units.
Cross-references
See setindent (p. 437) and setjust (p. 438) for details on setting spreadsheet and
table indentation and justification. For details on setting the row heights in a table, see
setheight (p. 436).
For additional discussion of tables see Chapter 4, Working with Tables, on page 47. See
also Chapter 14, Graphs, Tables, and Text Objects, on page 403 of the Users Guide for a
discussion and examples of table formatting in EViews.
Spreadsheet view of object.
The sheet view displays the spreadsheet view of the named object. For table objects,
sheet simply displays the table.
setwidth
sheet
Alpha View| Coef View | Group View | Matrix View | Pool View |
Rowvector View | Series View | Table View | Sym View | Vector
View
show445
Syntax
Object View: object_name.sheet(options)
Pool View: pool_name.sheet(options) pool_ser1 [pool_ser2 pool_ser3 ...]
The sheet view of pool objects displays the spreadsheet view of the series in the pool.
Follow the word sheet by a list of series to display; you may use the cross section identi-
fier ? in the series name.
Options
Examples
tab1.sheet
displays the spreadsheet view of TAB1.
pool1.sheet x? y? z?
displays the pool spreadsheet view of the series X?, Y?, and Z?.
Cross-references
See Chapter 5, Basic Data Handling, on page 79 of the Users Guide for a discussion of
the spreadsheet view of series and groups, and Chapter 27, Pooled Time Series, Cross-
Section Data, on page 809 of the Users Guide for a discussion of pools.
Display objects.
The show command displays series or other objects on your screen. A scalar object is dis-
played in the status line at the bottom of the EViews window.
Syntax
Command: show object_name.view_command
Command: show object1 [object2 object3 ...]
The command show should be followed by the name of an object, or an object name with
an attached view.
For series and graph objects, show can operate on a list of names. The list of names must
be of the same type. show creates and displays an untitled group or multiple graph object.
p Print the spreadsheet view.
show Command
Examples
genr x=nrnd
show x.hist
close x
generates a series X of random draws from a standard normal distribution, displays the his-
togram view of X, and closes the series window.
show wage log(wage)
opens an untitled group window with the spreadsheet view of the two series.
freeze(gra1) wage.hist
genr lwage=log(wage)
freeze(gra2) lwage.hist
show gra1 gra2
opens an untitled graph object with two histograms.
Cross-references
See Object Commands on page 6 for discussion, and Appendix A, Object, View and
Procedure Reference, on page 151 for a complete listing of the views of the various
objects.
See also close (p. 238).
Graph signal series.
Display graphs of a set of signal series computed using the Kalman filter.
Syntax
Sspace View: object_name.signalgraphs(options)
signalgraphs Sspace View
smooth447
Options
Examples
ss1.signalgraphs(t=smooth)
ss1.signalgraphs(t=smoothse)
displays a graph view containing the smoothed signal values, and then displays a graph
view containing the root MSE of the smoothed states.
Cross-references
Guide for a discussion of state space models.
See also stategraphs (p. 459), makesignals (p. 344) and makestates (p. 345).
Exponential smoothing.
Forecasts a series using one of a number of exponential smoothing techniques. By default,
smooth estimates the damping parameters of the smoothing model to minimize the sum
of squared forecast errors, but you may specify your own values for the damping parame-
ters.
smooth automatically calculates in-sample forecast errors and puts them into the series
RESID.
Syntax
Command: smooth(method) series_name smooth_name [freq]
Series Proc: series_name.smooth(method) smooth_name [freq]
t=output_type
(default=pred)
Defines output type:pred (one-step ahead signal pre-
dictions), predse (RMSE of the one-step ahead signal
predictions), resid (error in one-step ahead signal pre-
dictions), residse (RMSE of the one-step ahead signal
prediction; same as predse), stdresid (standardized
one-step ahead prediction residual), smooth
(smoothed signals), smoothse (RMSE of the
smoothed signals), disturb (estimate of the distur-
bances), disturbse (RMSE of the estimate of the dis-
turbances), stddisturb (standardized estimate of the
disturbances).
smooth Command || Series Proc
You should follow the smooth keyword with the name of the series and a name for the
smoothed series. You must also specify the smoothing method in parentheses. The
optional freq may be used to override the default for the number of periods in the seasonal
cycle. By default, this value is set to the workfile frequency (e.g. 4 for quarterly data).
For undated data, the default is 5.
Options
Smoothing method options
Other Options:
If you wish to set only some of the damping parameters and let EViews estimate the other
parameters, enter the letter e where you wish the parameter to be estimated.
If the number of seasons is different from the frequency of the workfile (an unusual case
that arises primarily if you are using an undated workfile for data that are not monthly or
quarterly), you should enter the number of seasons after the smoothed series name. This
optional input will have no effect on forecasts without seasonal components.
s[,x] Single exponential smoothing for series with no trend.
You may optionally specify a number x between zero
and one for the mean parameter.
d[,x] Double exponential smoothing for series with a trend.
You may optionally specify a number x between zero
and one for the mean parameter.
n[,x,y] Holt-Winters without seasonal component. You may
optionally specify numbers x and y between zero and
one for the mean and trend parameters, respectively.
a[,x,y,z] Holt-Winters with additive seasonal component. You
may optionally specify numbers x, y, and z, between
zero and one for the mean, trend, and seasonal parame-
ters, respectively.
m[,x,y,z] Holt-Winters with multiplicative seasonal component.
You may optionally specify numbers x, y, and z,
between zero and one for the mean, trend, and sea-
sonal parameters, respectively.
p Print a table of forecast statistics.
smpl449
Examples
smooth(s) sales sales_f
smooths the SALES series by a single exponential smoothing method and saves the
smoothed series as SALES_F. EViews estimates the damping (smoothing) parameter and
displays it with other forecast statistics in the SALES series window.
smooth(n,e,.3) tb3 tb3_hw
smooths the TB3 series by a Holt-Winters no seasonal method and saves the smoothed
series as TB3_HW. The mean damping parameter is estimated while the trend damping
parameter is set to 0.3.
smpl @first @last-10
smooth(m,.1,.1,.1) order order_hw
smpl @all
graph gra1.line order order_hw
show gra1
smooths the ORDER series by a Holt-Winters multiplicative seasonal method leaving the
last 10 observations. The damping parameters are all set to 0.1. The last three lines plot
and display the actual and smoothed series over the full sample.
Cross-references
See Exponential Smoothing on page 339 of the Users Guide for a discussion of exponen-
tial smoothing methods.
Set sample range.
The smpl command sets the workfile sample to use for statistical operations and series
assignment expressions.
Syntax
Command: smpl smpl_spec
Command: smpl sample_name
List the date or number of the first observation and the date or number of the last observa-
tion for the sample. Rules for specifying dates are given in Dates on page 127 of the
Users Guide. The sample spec may contain more than one pair of beginning and ending
observations.
smpl Command
The smpl command also allows you to select observations on the basis of conditions spec-
ified in an if statement. This enables you to use logical operators to specify what observa-
tions to include in EViews procedures. Put the if statement after the pairs of dates.
You can also use smpl to set the current observations to the contents of a named sample
object; put the name of the sample object after the keyword.
Special keywords for smpl
The following @-keywords can be used in a smpl command:
In panel settings, you may use the additional keywords:
Examples
smpl 1955m1 1972m12
sets the workfile sample from 1955M1 to 1972M12.
smpl @first 1940 1946 1972 1975 @last
excludes observations (or years) 19411945 and 19731974 from the workfile sample.
smpl if union=1 and edu<=15
sets the sample to those observations where UNION takes the value 1 and EDU is less than
or equal to 15.
sample half @first @first+@obs(x)/2
smpl half
smpl if x>0
smpl @all if x>0
The first line declares a sample object named HALF which includes the first half of the
series X. The second line sets the sample to HALF and the third line sets the sample to
@all The entire workfile range.
@first The first observation in the workfile.
@last The last observation in the workfile.
@firstmin The earliest of the first observations (computed across
cross-sections).
@firstmax The latest of the first observations.
@lastmin The earliest of the last observations.
@lastmax The latest of the last observations.
solve451
those observations in HALF where X is positive. The last line sets the sample to those
observations where X is positive over the full sample.
Cross-references
See Samples on page 87 of the Users Guide for a discussion of samples in EViews.
See also set (p. 420) and sample (p. 406).
Solve the model.
solve finds the solution to a simultaneous equation model for the set of observations
specified in the current workfile sample.
Syntax
Command: solve(options) model_name
Model Proc: model_name.solve(options)
Note: when solve is used in a program (batch mode) models are always solved over the
workfile sample. If the model contains a solution sample, it will be ignored in favor of the
workfile sample.
You should follow the name of the model after the solve command or use solve as a
procedure of a named model object. The default solution method is dynamic simulation.
You may modify the solution method as an option.
solve first looks for the specified model in the current workfile. If it is not present, solve
attempts to fetch a model file (.DBL) from the default directory or, if provided, the path
specified with the model name.
Options
solve can take any of the options available in solveopt (p. 452).
Examples
solve mod1
solves the model MOD1 using the default solution method.
nonlin2.solve(m=500,e)
solves the model NONLIN2 with an extended search of up to 500 iterations.
solve Command || Model Proc
Cross-references
See Chapter 26, Models, on page 761 of the Users Guide for a discussion of models.
See also model (p. 353), msg (p. 354) and solveopt (p. 452).
Solve options for models.
solveopt sets options for model solution but does not solve the model. The same options
can be set directly in a solve procedure.
Syntax
Model Proc: model_name.solveopt(options)
Options
solveopt Model Proc
s=arg
(default=d)
Solution type: d (deterministic), m (stochastic
collect means only), s (stochastic collect means and
s.d.), b (stochastic collect means and confidence
bounds), a (stochastic collect all; means, s.d. and
confidence bounds).
d=arg
(default=d)
Model solution dynamics: d (dynamic solution), s
(static solution), f (fitted values single equation
solution).
m=integer
(default=5000)
Maximum number of iterations for solution (maximum
100,000).
c=number
(default=1e-8)
Convergence criterion. Based upon the maximum
change in any of the endogenous variables in the
model. You may set a number between 1e-15 and 0.01.
r=integer
(default=1000)
Number of stochastic repetitions (used with stochastic
s= options).
b=number
(default=.95)
Size of stochastic confidence intervals (used with sto-
chastic s= options).
a=arg
(default=f)
Alternate scenario solution: t (true - solve both active
and alternate scenario and collect deviations for sto-
chastic), f (false - solve only the active scenario).
sort453
Cross-references
See Chapter 26, Models, on page 761 of the Users Guide for a discussion of models.
See also model (p. 353), msg (p. 354) and solve (p. 451).
Sort the workfile.
The sort command sorts all series in the workfile on the basis of the values of one or
more of the series. For purposes of sorting, NAs are considered to be smaller than any
other value. By default, EViews will sort the series in ascending order. You may use options
to override the sort order.
EViews will first remove any workfile structures and then will sort the workfile using the
specified settings.
o=arg
(default=g)
Solution method: g (Gauss-Seidel), e (Gauss-Seidel
with extended search/reduced step size), n (New-
ton), m (Newton with extended search/reduced step
size).
i=arg
(default=a)
Set initial (starting) solution values: a (actuals), p
(values in period prior to start of solution period).
n=arg
(default=t)
NA behavior: t (true - stop on NA values), f
(false - do not stop when encountering NA values).
Only applies to deterministic solution; EViews will
always stop on NA values in stochastic solution.
e=arg
(default=t)
Excluded variables initialized from actuals: t (true),
f (false).
cu=arg
(default=f)
Include coefficient uncertainty: t (true), f (false).
t=arg
(default=u)
Terminal condition for forward solution: u (user sup-
plied - actuals), l (constant level), d (constant dif-
ference), g (constant growth rate).
g=arg
(default=7)
Number of digits to round solution: an integer value
(number of digits), n (do not roundoff).
z=arg
(default=1e-7)
Zero value: a positive number below which the solution
(absolute value) is set to zero, n (do not set to zero).
sort Command
Syntax
Command: sort(options) arg1 [arg2 arg3]
List the name of the series or groups by which you wish to sort the workfile. If you list two
or more series, sort uses the values of the second series to resolve ties from the first
series, and values of the third series to resolve ties from the second, and so on.
Options
Examples
sort(d) inc
sorts all series in the workfile in order of the INC series with the highest value of INC first.
NAs in INC (if any) will be placed at the bottom.
sort gender race wage
sorts all series in the workfile in order of the values of GENDER from low to high, with ties
resolved by ordering on the basis of RACE, with further ties resolved by ordering on the
basis of WAGE.
Cross-references
See Sorting a Workfile on page 251 of the Users Guide.
Display the text specification view for logl, model, sspace, system objects.
Syntax
Object View: object_name.spec(options)
Options
Examples
model1.spec
displays the specification of the object MODEL1.
d sort in descending order.
spec Logl View | Model View | Sspace View | System View
p Print the specification text.
spike455
Cross-references
See also append (p. 202), merge (p. 351), text (p. 482).
Display spike graph view of data, or change existing graph object type to spike.
The spike graph view of a series or group creates spike graphs for all specified series or
matrix columns.
Syntax
Command: spike arg1 [arg2 arg3 ...]
Object View: object_name.spike(options)
Graph Proc: graph_name.spike(options)
Options
Scale options
spike
p Print the spike graph.
s Stacked spike graph. Each segment represents the
cumulative total of the series listed (may not be used
with the l option).
l Spike graph for the first series listed and a line graph for
all subsequent series (may not be used with the s
option).
Panel options
Examples
group g1 gdp cons m1
g1.spike(d)
plots line graphs of the three series in group G1 using dual scaling.
matrix1.spike(t=mygra)
displays spike graphs of the columns of MATRIX1 using the graph object MYGRA as a tem-
plate.
graph1.spike(d)
changes GRAPH1 so that it contains spike graphs of each of the series in the original
graph, using dual scaling.
Cross-references
detailed discussion of graphs in EViews.
See also graph (p. 303) for graph declaration and additional graph types.
m Plot spikes in multiple graphs (will override the l
option). Not for use with an existing graph object.
panel=arg
(default taken
from global set-
tings)
statby457
Declare state space object.
Syntax
Command: sspace sspace_name
Follow the sspace keyword with a name to be given the sspace object.
Examples
sspace stsp1
declares a sspace object named STSP1.
sspace tvp
tvp.append cs = c(1) + sv1*inc
tvp.append @state sv1 = sv1(-1) + [var=c(2)]
tvp.ml
declares a sspace object named TVP, specifies a time varying coefficient model, and esti-
mates the model by maximum likelihood.
Cross-references
Guide for a discussion of state space models. The sspace object is documented in greater
detail beginning on page 177.
append (p. 202) may be used to add lines to an existing sspace object. See also ml
(p. 352) for estimation of state space models.
Basic statistics by classification.
The statby view displays descriptive statistics for the elements of a series classified into
categories by one or more series.
Syntax
Series View: series_name.statby(options) classifier_names
sspace Object Declaration
statby Series View
Follow the series name with a period, the statby keyword, and a name (or a list of
names) for the series or group by which to classify. The options control which statistics to
display and in what form. By default, statby displays the means, standard deviations,
and counts for the series.
Options
Options to control statistics to be displayed
Options to control layout
sum Display sums.
med Display medians.
max Display maxima.
min Display minima.
quant=arg
(default=.5)
Display quantile with value given by the argument.
q=arg
(default=r)
skew Display skewness.
kurt Display kurtosis.
na Display counts of NAs.
nostd Do not display standard deviations.
nocount Do not display counts.
l Display in list mode (for more than one classifier).
nor Do not display row margin statistics.
noc Do not display column margin statistics.
nom Do not display table margin statistics (unconditional
tables); for more than two classifier series.
nos Do not display sub-margin totals in list mode; only used
with l option and more than two classifier series.
sp Display sparse labels; only with list mode option, l.
stategraphs459
Options to control binning
Other options
Examples
wage.statby(max,min) sex race
displays the mean, standard deviation, max, and min of the series WAGE by (possibly
binned) values of SEX and RACE.
Cross-references
See By-Group Statistics on page 549 for functions to compute by-group statistics. See
also Stats by Classification on page 300, and Descriptive Statistics on page 367 of the
Users Guide.
See also hist (p. 308), boxplotby (p. 221) and linkto (p. 324).
Display graphs of a set of state series computed using the Kalman filter.
Syntax
Sspace View: sspace_name.stategraph(options)
dropna
(default),
keepna
v=integer
(default=100)
Bin categories if classification series take on more than
the specified number of distinct values.
fication series.
a=number
(default=2)
ified number.
noa Do not bin based on the average cell count.
b=integer
(default=5)
p Print the descriptive statistics table.
stategraphs Sspace View
Options
Other options
Examples
ss1.stategraphs(t=filt)
displays a graph view containing the filtered state values.
Cross-references
See also signalgraphs (p. 446), makesignals (p. 344) and makestates (p. 345).
Display final state values.
Show the one-step ahead state predictions or the state prediction covariance matrix at the
final values , where is the last observation in the estimation sample. By
default, EViews shows the state predictions.
Syntax
Sspace View: sspace_name.statefinal(options)
t=output_type
(default=pred)
Defines output type:pred (one-step ahead signal pre-
dictions), predse (RMSE of the one-step ahead signal
predictions), resid (error in one-step ahead signal pre-
dictions), residse (RMSE of the one-step ahead signal
prediction; same as predse), stdresid (standardized
one-step ahead prediction residual), smooth
(smoothed signals), smoothse (RMSE of the
smoothed signals), disturb (estimate of the distur-
bances), disturbse (RMSE of the estimate of the dis-
turbances), stddisturb (standardized estimate of the
disturbances).
p Print the view.
statefinal Sspace View
T 1 T + ( ) T
stateinit461
Options
Examples
ss1.statefinal(c)
displays a view containing the final state covariances (the one-step ahead covariances for
the first out-of-(estimation) sample period.
Cross-references
See also stateinit (p. 461).
Display initial state values.
Show the state initial values or the state covariance initial values used to initialize the Kal-
man Filter. By default, EViews shows the state values.
Syntax
Sspace View: sspace_name.stateinit(options)
Options
Examples
ss1.stateinit
displays a view containing the initial state values (the one-step ahead predictions for the
first period).
Cross-references
c Display the state prediction covariance matrix.
p Print the view.
stateinit Sspace View
c Display the covariance matrix.
p Print the view.
See also statefinal (p. 460).
Descriptive statistics.
Computes and displays a table of means, medians, maximum and minimum values, stan-
dard deviations, and other descriptive statistics of one or more series or a group of series.
Alternately, displays summary statistics for the definitions of a valmap.
When used as a command, stats creates an untitled group containing all of the specified
series, and opens a statistics view of the group. By default, if more than one series is given,
the statistics are calculated for the common sample.
When used for coef or matrix objects, stats computes the statistics for each column of
data.
Syntax
Command: stats(options) ser1 [ser2 ser3 ]
Object View: object_name.stats(options)
Options
Examples
stats height weight age
opens an untitled group window displaying the histogram and descriptive statistics for the
common sample of the three series.
group group1 wage hrs edu
group1.stats(i)
displays the descriptive statistics view of GROUP1 for the individual samples.
map1.stats
displays the summary descriptive view of the definitions in the valmap MAP1.
stats
Command || Coef View | Group View | Matrix View | Rowvector View|
Sym View | Valmap View | Vector View
i Individual sample for each series (for group only) By
default, EViews computes the statistics using a com-
mon sample.
p Print the stats table.
stom463
Cross-references
See Descriptive Statistics on page 298 and page 367 of the Users Guide for a discussion
of the descriptive statistics views of series and groups.
See also boxplot (p. 219) and hist (p. 308).
Send text to the status line.
Displays a message in the status line at the bottom of the EViews main window. The mes-
sage may include text, control variables, and string variables.
Syntax
Command: statusline message_string
Examples
statusline Iteration Number: !t
Displays the message Iteration Number: !t in the status line replacing !t with the cur-
rent value of the control variable in the program.
Cross-references
See Chapter 6, EViews Programming, on page 83 for a discussion and examples of pro-
grams, control variables and string variables.
Convert a series or group to a vector or matrix.
Fills a vector or matrix with the data from a series or group.
Syntax
Series Proc: stom(series_name, vector[, sample])
Group Proc: stom(group_name, matrix[, sample])
Include the series or group name in parentheses followed by a comma and the vector or
matrix name. By default, the series values in the current workfile sample are used to fill
the vector or matrix; you may optionally provide an alternative sample.
There are two important features of stom that you should keep in mind:
statusline Command
stom Group Proc | Series Proc
If any of the series contain NAs, those observations will be dropped from the vector/
matrix (for alternative behavior, see stomna (p. 464)).
If the vector or matrix already exists in the workfile, EViews automatically resizes
the vector/matrix to fit the series/group.
Examples
series lwage=log(wage)
stom(lwage,vec1)
converts the series LWAGE into a vector named VEC1 using the current workfile sample.
Any NAs in LWAGE will be dropped from VEC1.
group rhs x1 x2 x3
sample s1 1951 1990
stom(rhs,x,s1)
converts a group of three series named X1, X2 and X3 to a matrix named X using sample
S1. The matrix X will have 40 rows and 3 columns (provided there are no NAs).
Cross-references
See Chapter 3, Matrix Language, on page 23 of the Command and Programming Refer-
ence for further discussion and examples of matrices.
See also stomna (p. 464) and mtos (p. 592).
Convert a series or group to a vector or matrix without dropping NAs.
Fills a vector or matrix with the data from a series or group without dropping observations
with missing values.
Works in identical fashion to stom (p. 463), but does not drop observations containing
NAs.
Syntax
Series Proc: stomna(series, vector[, sample])
Group Proc: stomna(group, matrix[, sample])
Include the series or group name in parentheses, followed by a comma and the vector or
matrix name. By default, the series values in the current workfile sample are used to fill
the vector or matrix. You may optionally provide an alternative sample.
stomna Group Proc | Series Proc
store465
Examples
series lwage=log(wage)
stomna(lwage,vec1)
converts the series LWAGE into a vector named VEC1 using the current workfile sample.
Any NAs in LWAGE will be placed in VEC1.
group rhs x1 x2 x3
sample s1 1951 1990
stom(rhs,x,s1)
converts a group of three series RHS to a matrix named X using sample S1. The matrix X
will always have 40 rows and 3 columns.
Cross-references
ence for further discussion and examples of matrices.
See also stom (p. 463) and mtos (p. 592).
Store objects in databases and databank files.
Stores one or more objects in the current workfile in EViews databases or individual data-
bank files on disk. The objects are stored under the name that appears in the workfile.
When used as a pool proc, EViews will first expand the list of series using the pool opera-
tor, and then perform the operation.
Syntax
Command: store(options) object_list
Pool Proc: pool_name.store(options) pool_ser1 [pool_ser2 pool_ser3 ...]
Follow the store command keyword with a list of object names (each separated by a
space) that you wish to store. The default is to store the objects in the default database.
(This behavior is a change from EViews 2 and earlier where the default was to store objects
in individual databank files).
You may precede the object name with a database name and the double colon :: to indi-
cate a specific database. You can also specify the database name as an option in parenthe-
ses, in which case all objects without an explicit database name will be stored in the
specified database.
store Command || Pool Proc
When used as a command, you may use wild card characters ? (to match any single
character) or * (to match zero or more characters) in the object name list. All objects
with names matching the pattern will be stored. You may not use ? as a wildcard charac-
ter if store is being used as a pool proc, since this conflicts with the pool identifier.
You can optionally choose to store the listed objects in individual databank files. To store
in files other than the default path, you should include a path designation before the object
name.
Options
If you do not specify the precision option (1 or 2), the global option setting will be used.
See Database Registry / Database Storage Defaults on page 916 of the Users Guide.
Examples
store m1 gdp unemp
stores the three objects M1, GDP, UNEMP in the default database.
store(d=us1) m1 gdp macro::unemp
stores M1 and GDP in the US1 database and UNEMP in the MACRO database.
store usdat::gdp macro::gdp
stores the same object GDP in two different databases USDAT and MACRO.
store(1) cons*
stores all objects with names starting with CONS in the default database. The 1 option
uses single precision to save space.
d=db_name Store to the specified database.
i Store to individual databank files.
1 / 2 Store series in [single / double] precision to save space.
o Overwrite object in database (default is to merge data,
where possible).
g=arg Group store from workfile to database: s (copy group
definition and series as separate objects), t (copy
group definition and series as one object), d (copy
series only as separate objects), l (copy group defini-
tion only).
structure467
store(i) m1 c:\data\unemp
stores M1 and UNEMP in individual databank files.
Cross-references
Basic Data Handling on page 79 of the Users Guide discusses exporting data in other file
formats. See Chapter 10, EViews Databases, on page 253 of the Users Guide for a discus-
sion of EViews databases and databank files.
Users Guide.
See also fetch (p. 279) and copy (p. 244).
Display summary of sspace specification.
Show view which summarizes the system transition matrices or the covariance structure of
the state space specification. EViews can display either the formulae (default) or the values
of the system transition matrices or covariance.
Syntax
Sspace View: sspace_name.structure(options) [argument]
If you choose to display the values for a time-varying system using the v option, you
should use the optional [argument] to specify a single date at which to evaluate the matri-
ces. If none is provided, EViews will use the first date in the current sample.
Options
Examples
ss1.structure
displays a system transition matrices.
structure Sspace View
v Display the values of the system transition or covari-
ance matrices.
c Display the system covariance matrix.
p Print the view.
ss1.structure 1993q4
displays the transition matrices evaluated at 1993Q4.
Cross-references
Estimate a system object using seemingly unrelated regression (SUR).
Note that the EViews procedure is more general than textbook versions of SUR since the sys-
tem of equations may contain cross-equation restrictions on parameters.
Syntax
System Method: system_name.sur(options)
Options
sur System Method
i Iterate on the weighting matrix and coefficient vector
simultaneously.
s Iterate on the weighting matrix and coefficient vector
sequentially.
c One step iteration on the coefficient vector after one
step of the weighting matrix.
c=number Set convergence criterion.
iteration to get one-step weighting matrix.
showopts /
-showopts
svar469
Examples
sys1.sur(i)
estimates SYS1 by SUR, iterating simultaneously on the weighting matrix and coefficient
vector.
nlsys.sur(showopts,m=500)
estimates NLSYS by SUR with up to 500 iterations. The showopts option displays the
starting values.
Cross-references
system estimation.
Estimate factorization matrix for structural innovations.
Syntax
Var Proc: var_name.svar(options)
The var object must previously have been estimated in unrestricted form.
You must specify the identifying restrictions either in text form by the append proc or by a
pattern matrix option. See Specifying the Identifying Restrictions on page 717 of the
Users Guide for details on specifying restrictions.
Options
You must specify one of the following restriction type:
defaults.
svar Var Proc
Other Options:
Examples
matrix(3,3) pata
rtype=text Text form restrictions. The restrictions must be specified
by the append command to use this option.
rtype=patsr Short-run pattern restrictions. You must provide the
names of the patterned matrices by the namea= and
nameb= options as described below.
rtype=patlr Long-run pattern restrictions. You must provide the
name of the patterned matrix by the namelr= option
as described below.
namea=arg,
nameb=arg
Names of the pattern matrices for A and B matrices.
Must be used with rtype=patsr.
namelr=arg Name of the pattern matrix for long-run impulse
responses. Must be used with rtype=patlr.
fsign Do not apply the sign normalization rule. Default is to
apply the sign normalization rule whenever applicable.
See Sign Indeterminacy on page 722 of the Users
Guide for a discussion of the sign normalization rule.
f0=arg
(default=0.1)
Starting values for the free parameters: scalar (specify
fixed value for starting values), s (user specified start-
ing values are taken from the C coefficient vector), u
(draw starting values for free parameters from a uni-
form distribution on [0,1]), n (draw starting values
for free parameters from standard normal).
maxiter=inte-
ger
Maximum number of iterations. Default is taken from
global option setting.
conv=number Convergence criterion. Default is taken from global
option setting.
trace=integer Trace iterations process every integer iterations (dis-
plays an untitled text object containing summary infor-
mation).
nostop Suppress Near Singular Matrix error message even if
Hessian is singular at final parameter estimates.
sym471
'fill matrix in row major order
pata.fill(by=r) 1,0,0, na,1,0, na,na,1
matrix(3,3) patb
pata.fill(by=r) na,0,0, 0,na,0, 0,0,na
var1.svar(rtype=patsr,namea=pata,nameb=patb)
The first line declares and estimates a VAR with three variables. Then we create the short-
run pattern matrices and estimate the factorization matrix.
var var1.ls 1 8 dy u @
var1.append(svar) @lr1(@u1)=0
freeze(out1) var1.svar(rtype=text)
The first line declares and estimates a VAR with two variables without a constant. The next
two lines specify a long-run restriction in text form and stores the estimation output in a
table object named OUT1.
Cross-references
See Structural (Identified) VARs on page 717 of the Users Guide for a discussion of struc-
tural VARs.
Declare a symmetric matrix object.
The sym command declares and optionally initializes a matrix object.
Syntax
Command: sym(n) sym_name[=assignment]
sym takes an optional argument n specifying the row and column dimension of the matrix
and is followed by the name you wish to give the matrix.
You may also include an assignment in the sym command. The sym will be resized, if nec-
essary. Once declared, symmetric matrices may be resized by repeating the sym command
for a given matrix name.
Examples
sym mom
declares a symmetric matrix named MOM with one zero element.
sym Object Declaration
sym y=@inner(x)
declares a symmetric matrix Y and assigns to it the inner product of the matrix X.
Cross-references
See Matrix Language on page 23 for a discussion of matrix objects in EViews.
See also matrix (p. 350).
Declare system of equations.
Syntax
Command: system system_name
Follow the system keyword by a name for the system. If you do not provide a name,
EViews will open an untitled system object (if in interactive mode).
Examples
system mysys
creates a system named MYSYS.
Cross-references
Chapter 23, System Estimation, on page 679 of the Users Guide provides a full discus-
sion of system objects.
See append (p. 202) for adding specification lines to an existing system. The system object
is described in greater detail in System (p. 182).
Declare a table object.
The table command declares and optionally sizes a table object.
Syntax
Command: table(rows,cols) table_name
system Object Declaration
table Object Declaration
template473
The table command takes two optional arguments specifying the row and column
dimension of the table, and is followed by the name you wish to give the matrix. If no siz-
ing information is provided, the table will contain a single cell.
You may also include an assignment in the sym command. The symmetric matrix will be
resized, if necessary. Once declared, symmetric matrices may be resized by repeating the
sym command with new dimensions.
Examples
table onelement
declares a one element table
table(10,5) outtable
creates a table OUTTABLE with 10 rows and 5 columns.
Cross-references
general discussion and examples of table formatting in EViews.
See also freeze (p. 290).
Applies templates to graph objects.
If you apply template to a multiple graph object, the template options will be applied to
each graph in the multiple graph. If the template graph is a multiple graph, the options of
the first graph will be used.
Syntax
Graph Proc: graph_name.template(options) graph_name
Follow the name of the graph to which you want to apply the template options with a
period, the keyword template, and the name of a graph object to use as a template.
Options
template Graph Proc
t Copy any text labels and shading in the template
graph in addition to its option settings.
Examples
gra_cs.template gra_gdp
applies the option settings in the graph object GRA_GDP to the graph GRA_CS. Text and
shadings in GRA_GDP will not be applied to GRA_CS.
g1.template(t) mygraph1
applies the option settings of MYGRAPH1, and all text and shadings in the graph to the
graph G1. Text and shading objects include those added with the addtext (p. 199) or
draw (p. 267) commands. Note that the t option overwrites any existing text and shad-
ing objects in the target graph.
If you are using a boxplot as a template for another graph type, or vice versa, note that the
graph types and boxplot specific attributes will not be changed. In addition, when the t
option is used, vertical lines or shaded areas will not be copied between the graphs, since
the horizontal scales differ.
Cross-references
See Graph Templates on page 410 of the Users Guide for additional discussion.
Test whether to add regressors to an estimated equation.
Tests the hypothesis that the listed variables were incorrectly omitted from an estimated
equation (only available for equations estimated by list). The test displays some combina-
tion of Wald and LR test statistics, as well as the auxiliary regression.
Syntax
Command: testadd arg1 [arg2 arg3 ...]
Equation View: eq_name.testadd arg1 [arg2 arg3 ...]
List the names of the series or groups of series to test for omission after the keyword. The
command form applies the test to the default equation.
Options
Examples
ls sales c adver lsales ar(1)
testadd Command || Equation View
testbtw475
testadd gdp gdp(-1)
tests whether GDP and GDP(-1) belong in the specification for SALES. The commands:
equation oldeq.ls sales c adver lsales ar(1)
oldeq.testadd gdp gdp(-1)
perform the same test using a named equation object.
Cross-references
See Coefficient Tests on page 554 of the Users Guide for further discussion.
See also testdrop (p. 477) and wald (p. 502).
Test equality of the mean, median or variance between (among) series in a group.
Syntax
Group View: group_name.testbtw(options)
Specify the type of test as an option.
Options
Examples
group g1 wage_m wage_f
g1.testbtw
g1.testbtw(var,c)
tests the equality of means between the two series WAGE_M and WAGE_F.
Cross-references
See Tests of Equality on page 368 of the Users Guide for further discussion of these tests.
testbtw Group View
mean (default) Test equality of mean.
med Test equality of median.
var Test equality of variance.
c Use common sample.
i (default) Use individual sample.
See also testby (p. 476), teststat (p. 481).
Test equality of the mean, median, or variance of a series across categories classified by a
list of series or a group.
Syntax
Series View: series_name.testby(options) arg1 [arg2 arg2 ]
Follow the testby keyword by a list of the names of the series or groups to use as classifi-
ers. Specify the type of test as an option.
Options
Examples
wage.testby(med) race
Tests equality of medians of WAGE across groups classified by RACE.
testby Series View
mean (default) Test equality of mean.
med Test equality of median.
var Test equality of variance.
dropna (default),
keepna
[Drop /Keep] NAs as a classification category.
v=integer
(default=100)
Bin categories if classification series take more than the
specified number of distinct values.
fication series.
a=number
(default=2)
ified number.
noa Do not bin on the basis of average cell count.
b=integer
(default=5)
testdrop477
Cross-references
See Equality Tests by Classification on page 306 of the Users Guide for a discussion of
equality tests.
See also testbtw (p. 475), teststat (p. 481).
Test whether to drop regressors from a regression.
Tests the hypothesis that the listed variables were incorrectly included in the estimated
equation (only available for equations estimated by list). The test displays some combina-
tion of and LR test statistics, as well as the test regression.
Syntax
Command: testdrop arg1 [arg2 arg3 ...]
Equation View: eq_name.testdrop arg1 [arg2 arg3 ...]
List the names of the series or groups of series to test for omission after the keyword. The
command form applies the test to the default equation.
Options
Examples
ls sales c adver lsales ar(1)
testdrop adver
tests whether ADVER should be excluded from the specification for SALES. The com-
mands:
equation oldeq.ls sales c adver lsales ar(1)
oldeq.testdrop adver
perform the same test using a named equation object.
Cross-references
See Coefficient Tests on page 554 of the Users Guide for further discussion of testing
coefficients.
See also testadd (p. 474) and wald (p. 502).
testdrop Command || Equation View
F
Perform exogeneity (Granger causality) tests on a VAR object.
Syntax
Var View: var_name.testexog(options)
Options
The name= option stores the results in a matrix, where is the number of
endogenous variables in the VAR. In the first rows, the i-th row, j-th column contains
the Wald statistic for the joint significance of lags of the i-th endogenous variable in the j-
th equation (note that the entries in the main diagonal are not reported in the table view).
The degrees of freedom of the Wald statistics is the number of lags included in the VAR.
In the last row, the j-th column contains the Wald statistic for the joint significance of all
lagged endogenous variables (excluding lags of the dependent variable) in the j-th equa-
tion. The degrees of freedom of the Wald statistics in the last row is times the
number of lags included in the VAR.
Examples
freeze(tab1) var1.testexog(name=exog)
The first line declares and estimates a VAR. The second line stores the exclusion test results
in a named table TAB1, and stores the Wald statistics in a matrix named EXOG.
Cross-references
See Diagnostic Views on page 708 of the Users Guide for a discussion of other VAR diag-
nostics.
See also testlags (p. 480).
testexog Var View
name=arg Save the Wald test statistics in named matrix object. See
below for a description of the statistics stored in the
matrix.
k 1 + ( ) k k
k
k 1 ( )
testfit479
Carry out the Hosmer-Lemeshow and/or Andrews goodness-of-fit tests for estimated
binary models.
Syntax
Equation View: binary_equation.testfit(options)
Options
Examples
equation eq1.binary work c age edu
eq1.testfit(h,5,u)
estimates a probit specification, and tests goodness-of-fit by comparing five unbalanced
groups of actual data to those estimated by the model.
Cross-references
See Goodness-of-Fit Tests on page 615 of the Users Guide for a discussion of the
Andrews and Hosmer-Lemeshow tests.
testfit Equation View
h Group by the predicted values of the estimated equa-
tion.
s=series_name Group by the specified series.
integer
(default=10)
Specify the number of quantile groups in which to clas-
sify observations.
u Unbalanced grouping. Default is to randomize ties to
balance the number of observations in each group.
v Group according to the values of the reference series.
l=integer
(default=100)
Limit the number of values to use for grouping. Should
be used with the v option.
p Print the result of the test.
Perform lag exclusion (Wald) tests on a VAR.
Syntax
Var View: var_name.testlags(options)
Options
The name= option stores results in an matrix, where is the number of
lagged terms and is the number of endogenous variables in the VAR. In the first col-
umns, the i-th row, j-th column entry is the Wald statistic for the joint significance of all i-
th lagged endogenous variables in the j-th equation. These Wald statistics have a distri-
bution with degrees of freedom under the exclusion null.
In the last column, the i-th row contains the system Wald statistic for testing the joint sig-
nificance of all i-th lagged endogenous variables in the VAR system. The system Wald sta-
tistics has a chi-square distribution with degrees of freedom under the exclusion null.
Examples
freeze(tab1) var1.testlags(name=lags)
The first line declares and estimates a VAR. The second line stores the lag exclusion test
results in a table named TAB1, and stores the Wald statistics in a matrix named LAGS.
Cross-references
See Diagnostic Views on page 708 of the Users Guide for a discussion other VAR diag-
nostics.
See also laglen (p. 318) and testexog (p. 478).
testlags Var View
name=arg Save the Wald test statistics in named matrix object. See
below for a description of the statistics contained in the
stored matrix.
p Print the result of the test.
m k 1 + ( ) m
k k
2
k
k
2
teststat481
Test simple hypotheses of whether the mean, median, or variance of a series is equal to a
specified value.
Syntax
Series View: series_name.teststat(options)
Specify the type of test and the value under the null hypothesis as an option.
Options
Examples
smpl if race=1
lwage.teststat(var=4)
tests the null hypothesis that the variance of LWAGE is equal to 4 for the subsample with
RACE=1.
Cross-references
See Tests for Descriptive Stats on page 303 of the Users Guide for a discussion of simple
hypothesis tests.
See also testbtw (p. 475), testby (p. 476).
teststat Series View
mean=number Test the null hypothesis that the mean equals the speci-
fied number.
med=number Test the null hypothesis that the median equals the
specified number.
var=number Test the null hypothesis that the variance equals the
specified number. The number must be positive.
std=number Test equality of mean conditional on the specified stan-
dard deviation. The standard deviation must be posi-
tive.
Declare a text object when used as a command, or display text representation of the
model specification or text object.
Syntax
Command: text object_name
Model View: model_name.text(options)
Text View: text_name.text(options)
Follow the keyword with a name of the text object. When used as a model view, text is
equivalent to spec (p. 454).
Options
Examples
text notes1
declares a text object named NOTES1.
Cross-references
See Chapter 26, Models, on page 761 of the Users Guide for further details on models.
discussion of text objects in EViews.
See also spec (p. 454).
Reset the timer.
Syntax
Command: tic
Examples
The sequence of commands:
tic
text Object Declaration || Model View | Text View
p Print the model text specification.
tic Command
toc483
[some commands]
toc
resets the timer, executes commands, and then displays the elapsed time in the status line.
Alternatively:
tic
[some commands]
!elapsed = @toc
resets the time, executes commands, and saves the elapsed time in the control variable
!ELAPSED.
Cross-references
See also toc (p. 483) and @toc (p. 613).
Display elapsed time (since timer reset) in seconds.
Syntax
Command: toc
Examples
The sequence of commands:
tic
[some commands]
toc
resets the timer, executes commands, and then displays the elapsed time in the status line.
The set of commands:
tic
[some commands]
!elapsed = @toc
[more commands]
toc
resets the time, executes commands, saves the elapsed time in the control variable
!ELAPSED, executes additional commands, and displays the total elapsed time in the sta-
tus line.
toc Command
Cross-references
See also tic (p. 482) and @toc (p. 613).
Display trace view of a model showing iteration history for selected solved variables.
Syntax
Model View: model_name.trace(options)
Options
Cross-references
See Diagnostics on page 797 of the Users Guide for further details on tracing model solu-
tions.
See also msg (p. 354), solve (p. 451) and solveopt (p. 452).
Run the external seasonal adjustment program Tramo/Seats using the data in the series.
tramoseats is available for annual, semi-annual, quarterly, and monthly series. The pro-
cedure requires at least observations and can adjust up to 600 observations where:
(B.2)
Syntax
Series Proc: series_name.tramoseats(options) [base_name]
Enter the name of the original series followed by a dot, the keyword, and optionally pro-
vide a base name (no more than 20 characters long) to name the saved series. The default
base name is the original series name. The saved series will have postfixes appended to the
base name.
trace Model View
p Print the block structure view.
tramoseats Series Proc
n
n
36
max 12 4s ^ `
=
for monthly data
for other seasonal data
tramoseats485
Options
Notes
The command line interface to Tramo/Seats does very little error checking of the command
syntax. EViews simply passes on the options you provide as is to Tramo/Seats. If the
runtype=arg
(default=ts)
Tramo/Seats Run Specification: ts (run Tramo fol-
lowed by Seats; the opt= options are passed to
Tramo, and Seats is run with the input file returned
from Tramo), t (run only Tramo), s (run only
Seats).
save=arg Specify series to save in workfile: you must use one or
more from the following key word list: hat (forecasts
of original series), lin (linearized series from Tramo),
pol (interpolated series from Tramo), sa (seasonally
adjusted series from Seats), trd (final trend compo-
nent from Seats), ir (final irregular component from
Seats), sf (final seasonal factor from Seats), cyc
(final cyclical component from Seats).
To save more than one series, separate the list of key
words with a space. Do not use commas within the list
of save series.
The special key word save=* will save all series in
the key word list. The five key words sa, trd, ir,
sf, cyc will be ignored if runtype=t.
opt=arg A space delimited list of input namelist. Do not use
commas within the list. The syntax for the input namel-
ist is explained in the.PDF documentation file. See also
Notes on page 485 below.
reg=arg A space delimited list for one line of reg namelist. Do
not use commas within the list. This option must be
used in pairs, either with another reg= option or
regname= option. The reg namelist is available only
for Tramo and its syntax is explained in the .PDF docu-
mentation file. See also Notes on page 485 below.
regname=arg Name of a series or group in the current workfile that
contains the exogenous regressors specified in the pre-
vious reg= option. See Notes on page 485 below.
p Print the results of the Tramo/Seats procedure.
syntax contains an error, you will most likely to see the EViews error message output file
not found. If you see this error message, check the input files produced by EViews for pos-
sible syntax errors as described in Trouble Shooting on page 337 of the Users Guide.
Additionally, here are some of the more commonly encountered syntax errors.
To replicate the dialog options from the command line, use the following input
options in the opt= list. See the .PDF documentation file for a description of each
option.
1. data frequency: mq=.
2. forecast horizon: npred= for Tramo and fh= for Seats.
3. transformation: lam=.
4. ARIMA order search: inic= and idif=.
5. Easter adjustment: ieast=.
6. trading day adjustment: itrad=.
7. outlier detection: iatip= and aio=.
The command option input string list must be space delimited. Do not use commas.
Options containing an equals sign should not contain any spaces around the equals;
the space will be interpreted as a delimiter by Tramo/Seats.
If you set rtype=ts, you are responsible for supplying either seats=1 or
seats=2 in the opt= option list. EViews will issue the error message Seats.itr
not found if the option is omitted. Note that the dialog option Run Seats after
Tramo sets seats=2.
Each reg= or regname= option is passed to the input file as a separate line in
the order that they appear in the option argument list. Note that these options must
come in pairs. A reg= option must be followed by another reg= option that
specifies the outlier or intervention series or by a regname= option that provides
the name for an exogenous series or group in the current workfile. See the sample
programs in the ./Example Files directory.
If you specify exogenous regressors with the reg= option, you must set the appro-
priate ireg= option (for the total number of exogenous series) in the opt= list.
To use the regname= option, the preceding reg= list must contain the user=-
1 option and the appropriate ilong= option. Do not use user=1 since EViews
will always write data in a separate external file. The ilong= option must be at
least the number of observations in the current workfile sample plus the number of
forecasts. The exogenous series should not contain any missing values in this range.
Note that Tramo may increase the forecast horizon, in which case the exogenous series
is extended by appending zeros at the end.
tsls487
Examples
freeze(tab1) show x.tramoseats(runtype=t, opt="lam=-1 iatip=1
aio=2 va=3.3 noadmiss=1 seats=2", save=*) x
replicates the example file EXAMPLE.1 in Tramo. The output file from Tramo is stored in a
text object named tab1. This command returns three series named X_HAT, X_LIN, X_POL.
show x.TramoSeats(runtype=t, opt="NPRED=36 LAM=1 IREG=3
INTERP=2 IMEAN=0 P=1 Q=0 D=0", reg="ISEQ=1 DELTA=1.0",
reg="61 1", reg="ISEQ=8 DELTAS=1.0", reg="138 5 150 5 162 5
174 5 186 5 198 5 210 5 222 5", reg="ISEQ=8 DELTAS=1.0",
reg="143 7 155 7 167 7 179 7 191 7 203 7 215 7 227 7") x
replicates the example file EXAMPLE.2 in Tramo. This command produces an input file
containing the lines:
$INPUT NPRED=36 LAM=1 IREG=3 INTERP=2 IMEAN=0 P=1 Q=0 D=0, $
$REG ISEQ=1 DELTA=1.0$
61 1
$REG ISEQ=8 DELTAS=1.0$
138 5 150 5 162 5 174 5 186 5 198 5 210 5 222 5
$REG ISEQ=8 DELTAS=1.0$
143 7 155 7 167 7 179 7 191 7 203 7 215 7 227 7
Additional examples replicating many of the example files provided by Tramo/Seats can be
found in the ./Example Files directory. You will also find files that compare seasonal
adjustments from Census X12 and Tramo/Seats.
Cross-references
See Tramo/Seats on page 333 of the Users Guide for discussion. See also the Tramo/
Seats documentation that accompanied your EViews distribution.
See seas (p. 417) and x12 (p. 522).
Two-stage least squares.
Carries out estimation for equations, pools, or systems using two-stage least squares.
tsls Command || Equation Method | Pool Method | System Method
Syntax
Command: tsls(options) y x1 [x2 x3 ...] @ z1 [z2 z3 ...]
tsls(options) specification @ z1 [z2 z3 ...]
Equation Method: eq_name.tsls(options) y x1 [x2 x3 ...] @ z1 [z2 z3 ...]
eq_name.tsls(options) specification @ z1 [z2 z3 ...]
Pool Method: pool_name.tsls(options) y x1 [x2 x3 ...] [@cxreg w1 w2 ...] [@per-
reg w3 w4 ...] [@inst z1 z2 ...] [@cxinst z3 z4 ...] [@perinst z5 z6
...]
System Method: system_name.tsls(options)
To use tsls as a command or equation method, list the dependent variable first, followed
by the regressors, then any AR or MA error specifications, then an @-sign, and finally, a
list of exogenous instruments. You may estimate nonlinear equations or equations speci-
fied with formulas by first providing a specification, then listing the instrumental variables
after an @-sign.
There must be at least as many instrumental variables as there are independent variables.
All exogenous variables included in the regressor list should also be included in the instru-
ment list. A constant is included in the list of instrumental variables even if not explicitly
specified.
Options
General options
coefficients.
defaults.
showopts /
-showopts
tsls489
Additional Options for Non-Panel Equation estimation
Additional Options for Pool and Panel Equation estimation
w=series_name Weighted TSLS. Each observation will be weighted by
multiplying by the specified series.
h Whites heteroskedasticity consistent standard errors.
n Newey-West heteroskedasticity and autocorrelation
consistent (HAC) standard errors.
(p. 383)).
with AR or MA terms. Specify a number between zero
and one representing the fraction of preliminary least
squares estimates computed without AR or MA terms.
Note that out of range values are set to s=1. Specify-
ing s=0 initializes coefficients to zero. By default,
EViews uses s=1.
z Turn off backcasting in ARMA models.
cx=arg Cross-section effects. For fixed effects estimation, use
cx=f; for random effects estimation, use cx=r.
per=arg Period effects. For fixed effects estimation, use cx=f;
for random effects estimation, use cx=r.
diag).
heteroskedasticity robust (cov=perdiag).
Additional options for systems
keepwgts Keep full set of GLS weights used in estimation with
object, if applicable (by default, only small memory
weights are saved).
rancalc=arg
(default=sa)
Random component method: Swamy-Arora (ran-
calc=sa), Wansbeek-Kapteyn (rancalc=wk), Wal-
lace-Hussain (rancalc=wh).
by list); the default is to use the C coefficient vector.
iter=arg
(default=onec)
Iteration control for GLS specifications: perform one
weight iteration, then iterate coefficients to convergence
(iter=onec), iterate weights and coefficients simulta-
neously to convergence (iter=sim), iterate weights
and coefficients sequentially to convergence
(iter=seq), perform one weight iteration, then one
coefficient step (iter=oneb).
Note that random effects models currently do not per-
mit weight iteration to convergence.
(p. 383)).
with AR terms. Specify a number between zero and one
representing the fraction of preliminary least squares
estimates computed without AR terms. Note that out of
range values are set to s=1. Specifying s=0 initial-
izes coefficients to zero. By default, EViews uses s=1.
i Iterate on the weighting matrix and coefficient vector
simultaneously.
s Iterate on the weighting matrix and coefficient vector
sequentially.
unlink491
Examples
eq1.tsls y_d c cpi inc ar(1) @ lw(-1 to -3)
estimates EQ1 using TSLS regression of Y_D on a constant, CPI, INC with AR(1) using a
constant, LW(-1), LW(-2), and LW(-3) as instruments.
param c(1) .1 c(2) .1
eq1.tsls(s,m=500) y_d=c(1)+inc^c(2) @ cpi
estimates a nonlinear TSLS model using a constant and CPI as instruments. The first line
sets the starting values for the nonlinear iteration algorithm.
sys1.tsls
estimates the system object using TSLS.
Cross-references
See Two-stage Least Squares on page 457 and Two-Stage Least Squares on page 681 of
the Users Guide for details on two-stage least squares estimation in single equations and
systems, respectively. Instrumental Variables on page 851 discusses estimation using
pool objects, while Instrumental Variables Estimation on page 888 discusses estimation
in panel structured workfiles.
See also ls (p. 329). For estimation of weighted TSLS in systems, see wtsls (p. 519).
Break links in series objects or models.
Syntax
Command: unlink link_names
Model Proc: object.unlink spec
When used as a command, unlink converts link objects to ordinary series or alphas. Fol-
low the keyword with a list of names of links to be converted to ordinary series (values).
The list of links may include wildcard characters.
c One step iteration of the coefficient vector after one step
of the weighting matrix.
iteration to get one-step weighting matrix.
unlink Command || Model Proc
Used as a model proc, unlink breaks equation links in the model. Follow the name of
the model object by a period, the keyword, and a specification for the variables to unlink.
The spec may contain either a list of the endogenous variables to be unlinked, or the key-
word @ALL, instructing EViews to unlink all equations in the model.
Note: if a link is to another model or a system object, more than one endogenous variable
may be associated with the link. If the spec contains any of the endogenous variables in a
linked model or system, EViews will break the link for all of the variables found in the link.
Examples
unlink gdp income
converts the link series GDP and INCOME to ordinary series.
unlink *
breaks all links in the current workfile page.
Used as a model proc, the expressions:
mod1.unlink @all
mod2.unlink z1 z2
unlink all of equations in MOD1, and all of the variables associated with the links for Z1
and Z2 in MOD2.
Cross-references
See Chapter 8, Series Links, on page 169 for a detailed description of link objects. See
also link (p. 323) and linkto (p. 324).
and solving models in EViews. See also append (p. 202), merge (p. 351) and solve
(p. 451).
Update model specification.
Recompiles the model and updates all links.
Syntax
Model Proc: model.update
Follow the name of the model object by a period and the keyword update.
update Model Proc
updatecoefs493
Examples
mod1.update
recompiles and updates all of the links in MOD1.
Cross-references
and solving models in EViews. See also append (p. 202), merge (p. 351) and solve
(p. 451).
Update coefficient object values from estimation object.
Copies coefficients from the estimation object into the appropriate coefficient vector or
vectors.
Syntax
Object Proc: object.updatecoef
Follow the name of the estimation object by a period and the keyword updatecoef.
Examples
equation eq1.ls y c x1 x2 x3
equation eq2.ls z c z1 z2 z3
eq1.updatecoef
places the coefficients from EQ1 in the default coefficient vector C.
coef(3) a
equation eq3.ls y=a(1)+z1^c(1)+log(z2+a(2))+exp(c(4)+z3/a(3))
equation eq2.ls z c z1 z2 z3
eq3.updatecoef
updates the coefficient vector A and the default vector C so that both contain the coeffi-
cients from EQ3.
Cross-references
See also coef (p. 238).
updatecoefs Equation Proc | Logl Proc | Pool Proc | Sspace Proc | System Proc
Carries out unit root tests on a single series, pool series, group of series, or panel struc-
tured series.
The ordinary, single series unit root tests include Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF), GLS
detrended Dickey-Fuller (DFGLS), Phillips-Perron (PP), Kwiatkowski, et. al. (KPSS), Elliot,
Rothenberg, and Stock (ERS) Point Optimal, or Ng and Perron (NP) tests for a unit root in
the series (or its first or second difference).
If used on a series in a panel structured workfile, or with a pool series, or group of series,
the procedure will perform panel unit root testing. The panel unit root tests include Levin,
Lin and Chu (LLC), Breitung, Im, Pesaran, and Shin (IPS), Fisher - ADF, Fisher - PP, and
Hadri tests on levels, or first or second differences.
Syntax
Command: uroot(options) series_name
Group View: group_name.uroot(options)
Pool View: pool_name.uroot(options) pool_series
Series View: series_name.uroot(options)
Tests on a single series may be carried out in two ways: as a command, or as a procedure
off of the series. Accordingly, you may enter the keyword followed by the individual series
name, or you may enter the series name followed by a period and the keyword.
For other cases, you should enter the object name followed by a period, the keyword, and
in the case of pool testing, the name of a pool ? series.
Options
Basic Specification Options
You should specify the exogenous variables and order of dependent variable differencing in
the test equation using the following options:
uroot Command || Group View | Pool View | Series View
const (default) Include a constant in the test equation.
trend Include a constant and a linear time trend in the test
equation.
none Do not include a constant or time trend (only available
for the ADF and PP tests).
uroot495
For backward compatibility, the shortened forms of these options, c, t, and n, are
presently supported. For future compatibility we recommend that you use the longer
forms.
For ordinary (non-panel) unit root tests, you should specify the test type using one of the
following keywords:
For panel testing, you may use one of the following keywords to specify the test:
Options for ordinary (non-panel) unit root tests
In addition, the following panel specific options are available:
dif=integer
(default=0)
Order of differencing of the series prior to running the
test. Valid values are {0, 1, 2}.
adf (default) Augmented Dickey-Fuller.
dfgls GLS detrended Dickey-Fuller (Elliot, Rothenberg, and
Stock).
pp Phillips-Perron.
kpss Kwiatkowski, Phillips, Schmidt, and Shin.
ers Elliot, Rothenberg, and Stock (Point Optimal).
np Ng and Perron.
sum (default) Summary of all of the panel unit root tests.
llc Levin, Lin, and Chu.
breit Breitung.
ips Im, Pesaran, and Shin.
adf Fisher - ADF.
pp Fisher - PP.
hadri Hadri.
hac=arg Method of estimating the frequency zero spectrum: bt
(Bartlett kernel), pr (Parzen kernel), qs (Quadratic
Spectral kernel), ar (AR spectral), ardt (AR spectral -
OLS detrended data), argls (AR spectral - GLS
detrended data).
Applicable to PP, KPSS, ERS, and NP tests. The default
settings are test specific (bt for PP and KPSS, ar for
ERS, argls for NP).
band = arg,
b=arg
(default=nw)
Method of selecting the bandwidth: nw (Newey-West
automatic variable bandwidth selection), a (Andrews
automatic selection), number (user specified band-
width).
Applicable to PP, KPSS, ERS, and NP tests when using
kernel sums-of-covariances estimators (where hac=
is one of {bt, pz, qs}).
lag=arg
(default=a)
Method of selecting lag length (number of first differ-
ence terms) to be included in the regression: a (auto-
matic information criterion based selection), or
integer (user-specified lag length).
Applicable to ADF and DFGLS tests, and for the other
tests when using AR spectral density estimators (where
hac= is one of {ar, ardt, argls}).
info=arg
(default=sic)
Information criterion to use when computing automatic
lag length selection: aic (Akaike), sic (Schwarz),
hqc (Hannan-Quinn), msaic (Modified Akaike),
msic (Modified Schwarz), mhqc (Modified Han-
nan-Quinn).
Applicable to ADF and DFGLS tests, and for other tests
when using AR spectral density estimators (where
maxlag=integer Maximum lag length to consider when performing
automatic lag length selection:
default=
Applicable to ADF and DFGLS tests, and for other tests
when using AR spectral density estimators (where
int 12T 100 ( )
0.25

uroot497
Options for panel unit root tests
The following panel specific options are available:
balance Use balanced (across cross-sections or series) data
when performing test.
hac=arg
(default=bt)
Method of estimating the frequency zero spectrum: bt
(Bartlett kernel), pr (Parzen kernel), qs (Quadratic
Spectral kernel).
Applicable to Summary, LLC, Fisher-PP, and Hadri
tests.
band = arg,
b=arg
(default=nw)
Method of selecting the bandwidth: nw (Newey-West
automatic variable bandwidth selection), a (Andrews
automatic selection), number (user-specified common
bandwidth), vector_name (user-specified individual
bandwidth).
Applicable to Summary, LLC, Fisher-PP, and Hadri
tests.
lag=arg Method of selecting lag length (number of first differ-
ence terms) to be included in the regression: a (auto-
matic information criterion based selection), integer
(user-specified common lag length), vector_name (user-
specific individual lag length).
If the balance option is used,
default=
where is the length of the shortest cross-section
or series, otherwise default=a.
Applicable to Summary, LLC, Breitung, IPS, and
Fisher-ADF tests.
1 if T
min
60 s ( )
2 if 60 T <
min
100 s ( )
4 if T
min
100 > ( )
T
min
Other options
Examples
The command:
gnp.uroot(adf,const,lag=3,save=mout)
performs an ADF test on the series GDP with the test equation including a constant term
and three lagged first-difference terms. Intermediate results are stored in the matrix MOUT.
ip.uroot(dfgls,trend,info=sic)
runs the DFGLS unit root test on the series IP with a constant and a trend. The number of
lagged difference terms is selected automatically using the Schwarz criterion.
unemp.uroot(kpss,const,hac=pr,b=2.3)
runs the KPSS test on the series UNEMP. The null hypothesis is that the series is stationary
around a constant mean. The frequency zero spectrum is estimated using kernel methods
(with a Parzen kernel), and a bandwidth of 2.3.
sp500.uroot(np,hac=ardt,info=maic)
runs the NP test on the series SP500. The frequency zero spectrum is estimated using the
OLS AR spectral estimator with the lag length automatically selected using the modified
AIC.
info=arg
(default=sic)
Information criterion to use when computing automatic
lag length selection: aic (Akaike), sic (Schwarz),
hqc (Hannan-Quinn), msaic (Modified Akaike),
msic (Modified Schwarz), mhqc (Modified Han-
nan-Quinn).
Applicable to Summary, LLC, Breitung, IPS, and
Fisher-ADF tests.
maxlag=arg Maximum lag length to consider when performing
automatic lag length selection, where arg is an integer
(common maximum lag length) or a vector_name (indi-
vidual maximum lag length)
default=
where is the length of the cross-section or series.
int min
i
12 T
i
3 , T
i
100 ( )
0.25

T
i
valmap499
Cross-references
See Unit Root Tests on page 502 of the Users Guide for discussion of standard unit root
tests performed on a single series, and Panel Unit Root Tests on page 514 of the Users
Guide for discussion of unit roots tests performed on panel structured workfiles, groups of
series, or pooled data.
Find series and alphas which use the valmap.
Display list of series and alpha objects which use the valmap.
Syntax
Valmap View: valmap_name.stats(options)
Options
Examples
map1.usage
displays a list of series and alphas which use the valmap MAP1.
Cross-references
For additional details, see Value Maps on page 155 of the Users Guide. See also Val-
map (p. 187).
See also map (p. 349).
Declare a value map object.
Syntax
Command: valmap valmap_name
Follow the valmap keyword with a name for the object.
Examples
The commands:
usage Valmap View
p Print the usage table.
valmap Object Declaration
valmap mymap
mymap.append 3 three
mymap.append 99 "not in universe"
declare the valmap MYMAP and add two lines mapping the values 3 and 99 to the strings
three and not in universe.
Cross-references
For additional details, see Value Maps on page 155 of the Users Guide. See also Val-
map (p. 187).
See also map (p. 349).
Declare a var (Vector Autoregression) object.
Syntax
Command: var var_name
Command: var var_name.ls(options) lag_pairs endog_list [@ exog_list]
Command: var var_name.ec(trend, n) lag_pairs endog_list [@ exog_list]
Declare the var as a name, or a name followed by an estimation method and specification.
The ls (p. 329) method estimates an unrestricted VAR using equation-by-equation OLS.
You must specify the order of the VAR (using one or more pairs of lag intervals), and then
provide a list of series or groups to be used as endogenous variables. You may include
exogenous variables such as trends and seasonal dummies in the VAR by including an @-
sign followed by a list of series or groups. A constant is automatically added to the list of
exogenous variables; to estimate a specification without a constant, you should use the
option noconst.
See ec (p. 271) for the error correction specification of a VAR.
Options
var Object Declaration
noconst Do not include a constant in the VAR specification
(when combining declaration with ls (p. 329)
method).
p Print the estimation result if the estimation procedure is
specified.
vector501
Examples
var mvar.ls 1 4 8 8 m1 gdp tb3 @ @trend
declares and estimates an unrestricted VAR named MVAR with three endogenous variables
(M1, GDP, TB3), five lagged terms (lags 1 through 4, and 8), a constant, and a linear trend.
var jvar.ec(c,2) 1 4 m1 gdp tb3
declares and estimates an error correction model named JVAR with three endogenous vari-
ables (M1, GDP, TB3), four lagged terms (lags 1 through 4), two cointegrating relations.
The c option assumes a linear trend in data but only a constant in the cointegrating rela-
tions.
Cross-references
Users Guide for a discussion of vector autoregressions.
See ls (p. 329) for standard VAR estimation, and ec (p. 271) for estimation of error correc-
tion models.
View of model organized by variable.
Display the model in variable form with identification of endogenous, exogenous, and
identity variables, with dependency tracking.
Syntax
Model View: model_name.vars
Cross-references
See Variable View on page 782 of the Users Guide for details. See Chapter 26, Models,
See also block (p. 219), text (p. 482), and eqs (p. 275) for alternative representations of
the model.
Declare a vector object.
The vector command declares and optionally initializes a (column) vector object.
vars Model View
vector Object Declaration
Syntax
Command: vector(size) vector_name
Command: vector(size) vector_name=assignment
The keyword should be followed by the name you wish to give the vector. You may also
provide an optional argument specifying the size of the vector. If you do not provide a size,
EViews will create a single element vector. Once declared, vectors may be resized by
repeating the command with a new size.
You may combine vector declaration and assignment. If there is no assignment statement,
the vector will initially be filled with zeros.
Examples
vector vec1
vector(20) vec2=nrnd
rowvector(10) row3=3
vector vec3=row3
VEC1 is declared as a single element vector initialized to 0. VEC2 is declared as a column
vector of size 20 containing a set of draws from the standard normal distribution. Although
declared as a column vector, VEC3 is reassigned as a row vector of size 10 with all ele-
ments equal to 3.
Cross-references
ence for a discussion of matrices and vectors in EViews.
See also coef (p. 238) and rowvector (p. 404).
Wald coefficient restriction test.
The wald view carries out a Wald test of coefficient restrictions for an estimation object.
Syntax
Object View: object_name.wald restrictions
Enter the object name, followed by a period, and the keyword. You must provide a list of
the coefficient restrictions, with joint (multiple) coefficient restrictions separated by com-
mas.
wald Equation View | Logl View | Pool View | Sspace View | System View
wfcreate503
Options
Examples
eq1.wald c(2)=0, c(3)=0
tests the null hypothesis that the second and third coefficients in equation EQ1 are jointly
zero.
sys1.wald c(2)=c(3)*c(4)
tests the non-linear restriction that the second coefficient is equal to the product of the
third and fourth coefficients in SYS1.
pool panel us uk jpn
panel.ls cons? c inc? @cxreg ar(1)
panel.wald c(3)=c(4)=c(5)
declares a pool object with three cross section members (US, UK, JPN), estimates a pooled
OLS regression with separate AR(1) coefficients, and tests the null hypothesis that all
AR(1) coefficients are equal.
Cross-references
See Wald Test (Coefficient Restrictions) on page 556 of the Users Guide for a discussion
of Wald tests.
See also cellipse (p. 231), testdrop (p. 477), testadd (p. 474).
Create a new workfile. The workfile becomes the active workfile.
Syntax
Command: wfcreate(options) frequency start_date end_date
[num_cross_sections]
Command: wfcreate(options) u num_observations
The first form of the command may be used to create a new regular frequency workfile
with the specified frequency, start, and end date. If you include the optional
num_cross_sections, EViews will create a balanced panel page using integer identifiers for
each of the cross-sections. Note that more complex panel structures may be created using
pagestruct (p. 378).
wfcreate Command
The second form of the command is used to create an unstructured workfile with the spec-
ified number of observations.
Options
Examples
wfcreate(wf="annual", page="myproject") a 1950 2005
wfcreate(wf="unstruct") u 1000
creates two workfiles. The first is a workfile named ANNUAL containing a single page
named MYPROJECT containing annual data from 1950 to 2005; the second is a workfile
named UNSTRUCT containing a single page named UNDATED with 1000 unstructured
observations.
wfcreate(wf="griliches_grunfeld") a 1935 1954 10
creates the GRILICHES_GRUNFELD workfile containing a paged named ANNUAL with
10 cross-sections of annual data for the years 1935 to 1954.
Cross-references
See also pagecreate (p. 369) and pagedelete (p. 371).
Open a workfile. Reads in a previously saved workfile from disk, or reads the contents of
a foreign data source into a new workfile.
The opened workfile becomes the default workfile; existing workfiles in memory remain
on the desktop but become inactive.
wf=wf_name Optional name for the new workfile.
page=page_name Optional name for the page in the new workfile page. If
not provided, EViews will use a name given by the page
structure (e.g., Undated, Annual, Daily5).
wfopen Command
wfopen505
Syntax
Command: wfopen [path\]workfile_name
Command: wfopen(options) source_description [@keep keep_list] [@drop
[@selectif condition]
Command: wfopen(options)source_description table_description [@keep
map dropmap_list] [@selectif condition]
The workfile or external data source is specified as the first argument following the com-
mand keyword and options. In most cases, the external data source is a file, so the
source_description will be the name of the file. Alternatively, the external data source may
be the output from a web server, in which case the URL should be provided as the
source_description. Likewise, reading from an ODBC query, the ODBC DSN (data source
name) should be used to identify the source_description.
If the source_description contains spaces, it must be enclosed in (double) quotes, to sepa-
rate it from the table description.
In cases where there is more than one table that could be formed from the specified exter-
nal data source, a table_description may be provided to select the desired table. For exam-
ple, when reading from an Excel file, an optional cell range may be provided to specify
which data are to be read from the spreadsheet. When reading from an ODBC data source,
a SQL query or table name must be used to specify the table of data to be read. When
working with a text file, a table_description of how to break up the file into columns and
rows is required.
Note that ODBC support is provided only in the EViews 5 Enterprise Edition.
Excel, HTML, Text, Binary File Table Descriptors
The following statements may be used in the table descriptions for Excel, HTML, text or
binary data sources:
Excel Files
range = arg, where arg is a range of cells to read from the excel workbook, follow-
ing the standard excel format [worksheet!][topleft_cell[:bottomright_cell]].
If the worksheet name contains spaces, it should be placed in single quotes. If the
worksheet name is omitted, the cell range is assumed to refer to the currently active
sheet. If only a top left cell is provided, a bottom right cell will be chosen automati-
cally to cover the range of non-empty cells adjacent to the specified top left cell. If
only a sheet name is provided, the first set of non-empty cells in the top left corner
of the chosen worksheet will be selected automatically. As an alternative to specify-
ing an explicit range, a name which has been defined inside the excel workbook to
refer to a range or cell may be used to specify the cells to read.
HTML Pages
table = arg, where arg specifies which table to read in an HTML file/page con-
taining multiple tables.
When specifying arg, you should remember that tables are named automatically fol-
lowing the pattern "Table01", "Table02", "Table03", etc. If no table name is speci-
fied, the largest table found in the file will be chosen by default. Note that the table
numbering may include trivial tables that are part of the HTML content of the file,
but would not normally be considered as data tables by a person viewing the page.
skip = int, where int is the number of rows to discard from the top of the HTML
table.
Text/Binary Files
ftype = [ascii|binary] specifies whether numbers and dates in the file are stored
in a human readable text (ASCII), or machine readable (Binary) form.
rectype = [crlf|fixed|streamed] describes the record structure of the file:
crlf, each row in the output table is formed using a fixed number of lines from the
file (where lines are separated by carriage return/line feed sequences). This is the
default setting.
fixed, each row in the output table is formed using a fixed number of characters
from the file (specified in reclen= arg). This setting is typically used for files that
contain no line breaks.
streamed, each row in the output table is formed by reading a fixed number of
fields, skipping across lines if necessary. This option is typically used for files that
contain line breaks, but where the line breaks are not relevant to how rows from the
data should be formed.
reclines =int, number of lines to use in forming each row when rectype=crlf
(default is 1).
reclen=int, number of bytes to use in forming each row when rectype=fixed.
recfields=int, number of fields to use in forming each row when rec-
type=streamed.
skip=int, number of lines (if rectype is crlf) or bytes (if rectype is not crlf) to
discard from the top of the file.
wfopen507
comment=string, where string is a double-quoted string, specifies one or more
characters to treat as a comment indicator. When a comment indicator is found,
everything on the line to the right of where the comment indicator starts is ignored.
emptylines=[keep|drop], specifies whether empty lines should be ignored
(drop), or treated as valid lines (keep) containing missing values. The default is
to ignore empty lines.
tabwidth=int, specifies the number of characters between tab stops when tabs
are being replaced by spaces (default=8). Note that tabs are automatically replaced
by spaces whenever they are not being treated as a field delimiter.
fieldtype=[delim|fixed|streamed|undivided], specifies the structure of fields
within a record:
Delim, fields are separated by one or more delimiter characters
Fixed, each field is a fixed number of characters
Streamed, fields are read from left to right, with each field starting immediately
after the previous field ends.
Undivided, read entire record as a single series.
quotes=[single|double|both|none], specifies the character used for quoting fields,
where single is the apostrophe, double is the double quote character, and both
means that either single or double quotes are allowed (default is both). Characters
contained within quotes are never treated as delimiters.
singlequote, same as quotes = single.
delim=[comma|tab|space|dblspace|white|dblwhite], specifies the character(s) to
treat as a delimiter. White means that either a tab or a space is a valid delimiter.
You may also use the abbreviation d= in place of delim=.
custom="arg1", specifies custom delimiter characters in the double quoted string.
Use the character t for tab, s for space and a for any character.
mult=[on|off], to treat multiple delimiters as one. Default value is on if delim
is space, dblspace, white, or dblwhite, and off otherwise.
endian = [big|little], selects the endianness of numeric fields contained in binary
files.
string = [nullterm|nullpad|spacepad], specifies how strings are stored in binary
files. If nullterm, strings shorter than the field width are terminated with a single
zero character. If nullpad, strings shorter than the field width are followed by extra
zero characters up to the field width. If spacepad, strings shorter than the field
width are followed by extra space characters up to the field width.
The most important part of the Text/Binary table description is the format statement. You
may specify the data format using the following descriptors:
fformat=(arg1, arg2, ...), Fortran format specification (see syntax below).
rformat=(arg1, arg2, ...) column range format specification (see syntax below).
cformat="fmt ", C printf/scanf format specification.
Fortran Syntax
The Fortran syntax follows the rules of the standard Fortran format statement. The syntax
follows the general form:
fformat=([n1]Type[Width][.Precision], [n2]Type[Width][.Precision], ...).
where Type specifies the underlying data type, and may be one of the following,
I - integer
F - fixed precision
E - scientific
A - alphanumeric
X - skip
and n1, n2, ... are the number of times to read using the descriptor (default=1). More
complicated Fortran compatible variations on this format are possible.
Column Range Syntax
rformat=([ser_name1][type] n1[-n2], [ser_name1] [type] n3[-n4], ...)
where optional type is $ for string or # for number, and n1, n2, n3, n4, etc. are the
range of columns containing the data.
All Types
colhead=int, number of table rows to be treated as column headers.
namepos = [first|last|all|none], which row(s) of the column headers should be
used to form the column name. The setting first refers to first line, last is last
line, all is all lines and none is no lines. The remaining column header rows will
be used to form the column description. The default setting is all.
Nonames, the file does not contain a column header (same as colhead=0).
names=("arg1","arg2",), user specified column names, where arg1, arg2,
are names of the first series, the second series, etc. when names are provided, these
override any names that would otherwise be formed from the column headers.
wfopen509
descriptions=("arg1","arg2",), user specified descriptions of the series. If
descriptions are provided, these override any names that would otherwise be formed
from the column headers.
na="arg1", text used to represent observations that are missing from the file. The
text should be enclosed on double quotes.
scan=[int| all], number of rows of the table to scan during automatic format
detection (scan=all scans the entire file).
firstobs=int, first observation to be imported from the table of data (default is 1).
This option may be used to start reading rows from partway through the table.
lastobs = int, last observation to be read from the table of data (default is last
observation of the file). This option may be used to read only part of the file, which
may be useful for testing.
ODBC or Microsoft Access Table Descriptors
When reading from an ODBC or Microsoft Access data source, you must provide a table
description to indicate the table of data to be read. You may provide this information on
one of two ways: by entering the name of a table in the data source, or by including an
SQL query statement enclosed in double quotes.
Options
type=arg / t=arg Optional type specification: Access database file
Binary file (binary), Excel file (excel), Gauss
dataset file (gauss),GiveWin/PcGive file (g,
give), HTML file/page (html), ODBC database
(odbc), ODBC Dsn file (dsn), ODBC query file
(msquery), MicroTSP workfile (dos microtsp),
MicroTSP Macintosh workfile (mac), Rats file (r,
rats), Rats portable/Troll file (l, trl), SAS program
file (sasprog), SAS transport file (sasxport), SPSS
file (spss), SPSS portable file (spssport), Stata file
(stata), Text file (text), TSP portable file (t,
tsp).
wf=wf_name Optional name for the new workfile.
page=page_name Optional name for the page in the new workfile.
Examples
The following examples illustrate the use of wfopen to open an existing workfiles or to
read foreign data into a new workfile.
EViews and MicroTSP
wfopen c:\data\macro
loads a previously saved EViews workfile MACRO.WF1 from the DATA directory in the C
drive.
wfopen c:\tsp\nipa.wf
loads a MicroTSP workfile NIPA.WF. If you do not use the workfile type option, you should
add the extension .WF to the workfile name when loading a DOS MicroTSP workfile. An
alternative method specifies the type explicitly:
wfopen(type=dos) nipa
Excel
wfopen "c:\data files\data.xls"
loads the active sheet of DATA.XLS into a new workfile.
wfopen(page=GDP) "c:\data files\data.xls" range="GDP data"
@drop X
reads the data contained in the GDP data sheet of DATA.XLS into a new workfile. The
data for the series X is dropped, and the name of the new workfile page is GDP.
wfopen(type=excel, wf=PRCS) c:\data.xls range="prices" @keep s*
@drop *ic
loads into the new PRCS workfile a subset of the data contained in the PRICES data sheet
of DATA.XLS. The load keeps only the series that begin with S, but does not include the
ones that end in IC.
wfopen c:\data.xls range='sheet1 data'!B2:D30
loads into a new workfile the data contained from cells B2 through D30 on worksheet
sheet 1 data in the workbook DATA.XLS.
Stata
wfopen(type=stata) c:\data.dta @dropmap map1 map2
load a Stata file DATA.DTA into a new workfile, dropping map MAP1 and MAP2.
wfopen511
SAS
wfopen(type=sasxport) c:\data.xpt
loads a sas transport file data.xpt into a new workfile.
wfopen c:\inst.sas
creates a workfile by reading from external data using the SAS program statements in
INST.SAS. The program may contain a limited set of SAS statements which are commonly
used in reading in a data file.
ASCII text files (.txt, .csv, etc.)
wfopen c:\data.csv skip=5, names=(gdp, inv, cons)
reads DATA.CSV into a new workfile page, skipping the first 5 rows and naming the series
GDP, INV, and CONS.
wfopen(type=text) c:\date.txt delim=comma
loads the comma delimited data DATE.TXT into a new workfile.
wfopen(type=raw,rectype=fixed) c:\data.txt skip=8, for-
mat=(F10,X23,A4)
loads a text file with fixed length data into a new workfile, skipping the first 8 rows. The
reading is done as follows: read the first 10 characters as a fixed precision number, after
that, skip the next 23 characters (X23), and then read the next 4 characters as strings (A4).
wfopen(type=raw,rectype=fixed) c:\data.txt format=2(4F8,2I2)
loads the text file as a workfile using the specified explicit format. The data will be a repeat
of four fixed precision numbers of length 8 and two integers of length 2. This is the same
description as format=(F8,F8,F8,F8,I2,I2,F8,F8,F8,F8,I2,I2).
wfopen(type=raw,rectype=fixed) c:\data.txt rformat=(GDP 1-2 INV
3 CONS 6-9)
loads the text file as a workfile using column range syntax. The reading is done as follows:
the first series is located at the first and second character of each row, the second series
occupies the 3rd character, the third series is located at character 6 through 9. The series
will named GDP, INV, and CONS.
Html
wfopen "c:\data.html"
loads into a new workfile the data located on the HTML file DATA.HTML located on the
C:\ drive
wfopen(type=html) "http://www.tradingroom.com.au/apps/mkt/
forex.ac" colhead=3, namepos=first
loads into a new workfile the data with the given URL located on the website site http://
www.tradingroom.com.au. The column header is set to three rows, with the first row
used as names for columns, and the remaining two lines used to form the descriptions.
ODBC (Enterprise Edition only)
wfopen c:\data.dsn CustomerTable
opens in a new workfile the table named CUSTOMERTABLE from the ODBC database
described in the DATA.DSN file.
wfopen(type=odbc) "my server" "select * from customers where
id>30" @keep p*
opens in a new workfile with SQL query from database using the server MY SERVER,
keeping only variables that begin with P. The query selects all variables from the table
CUSTOMERS where the ID variable takes a value greater than 30.
Cross-references
See Chapter 3, Workfile Basics, on page 43 of the Users Guide for a basic discussion of
workfiles.
See also pageload (p. 371), read (p. 391), fetch (p. 279), wfsave (p. 512), and page-
save (p. 373).
Save the default workfile as an EViews workfile (.wf1 file) or as a foreign file or data
source.
Syntax
Command: wfsave(options) [path\]filename
Command: wfsave(options) source_description [@keep keep_list] [@drop
[@smpl smpl_spec]
Command: wfsave(options) source_description table_description [@keep
map dropmap_list] [@smpl smpl_spec]
saves the active workfile in the specified directory using filename. By default, the workfile
is saved as an EViews workfile, but options may be used to save all or part of the active
wfsave Command
wfsave513
page in a foreign file or data source. See wfopen (p. 504) for details on the syntax for
source_descriptions and table_descriptions.
Options
Workfile Save Options
The default workfile save settings use the Global Options.
Foreign Source Save Options
Cross-references
See also pagesave (p. 373), wfopen (p. 504), and pageload (p. 371).
1 Save using single precision.
2 Save using double precision.
c Save compressed workfile (not compatible with EViews
versions prior to 5.0).
type=arg, t=arg Optional type specification. Access database file
Binary file (binary), EViews database file (e,
evdb), Excel file (excel), Gauss dataset file
(gauss), GiveWin/PcGive file (g, give), HTML
file/page (html), ODBC database (odbc), ODBC
Dsn file (dsn), ODBC query file (msquery),
MicroTSP workfile (dos, microtsp), MicroTSP Mac-
intosh workfile (mac), Rats file (r, rats), Rats
portable/Troll file (l, trl), SAS transport file (sasx-
port), SPSS file (spss), SPSS portable file (spss-
port), Stata file (stata), Text file (text), TSP
portable file (t, tsp).
mode=create Create new file only; error on attempt to overwrite.
maptype=arg Write selected maps as: numeric (n), character (c),
both numeric and character (b).
mapval Write mapped values for series with attached value
labels.
Make the selected workfile page the active workfile page.
Syntax
Command: wfselect wfname[\pgname]
where wfname is the name of a workfile that has been loaded into memory. You may
optionally provide the name of a page in the new default workfile that you wish to be
made active.
Examples
wfselect myproject
wfselect myproject\page2
both change the default workfile to MYPROJECT. The first command uses the default
active page, while the second changes the page to PAGE2.
Examples
Cross-references
See also pageselect (p. 374).
Performs Whites test for heteroskedasticity of residuals.
Carries out Whites test for heteroskedasticity of the residuals of the specified equation or
Var object. By default, the test is computed without the cross-product terms (using only
the terms involving the original variables and squares of the original variables). You may
elect to compute the original form of the White test that includes the cross-products.
Whites test is not available for equations estimated by binary, ordered, censored, or
count. For a Var object, the command computes the multivariate version of the test.
Syntax
Equation View: eq_name.white(options)
Var View: var_name.white(options)
wfselect Command
white Equation View | Var View
wls515
Options
Options for Var View
For var views, the name= option stores the results in a matrix, where is
the number of unique residual cross-product terms. For a VAR with endogenous vari-
ables, . The first rows contain statistics for each individual test equa-
tion, where the first column is the regression R-squared, the second column is the F-
statistic, the third column is the p-value of F-statistic, the 4th column is the
statistic, and the fifth column is the p-value of the statistic.
The numerator and denominator degrees of freedom of the F-statistic are stored in the
third and fourth columns, respectively, of the -st row, while the degrees of
freedom is stored in the fifth column of the -st row.
In the -st row and first column contains the joint (system) LM chi-square statistic
and the second column contains the degrees of freedom of this statistic.
Examples
eq1.white(c)
carries out the White test of heteroskedasticity including all possible cross-product terms.
Cross-references
See White's Heteroskedasticity Test on page 566 for a discussion of Whites test. For the
multivariate version of this test, see White Heteroskedasticity Test on page 712 of the
Users Guide.
Estimates a system of equations using weighted least squares.
To perform weighted least squares in single equation estimation, see ls (p. 329).
c Include all possible nonredundant cross-product terms
in the test regression.
name=arg Save test statistics in named matrix object. See below
for a description of the statistics stored in the matrix.
wls System Method
r 1 + ( ) 5 r
k
r k k 1 + ( ) 2 = r
T R
2

2
2
r 1 + ( )
2
r 1 + ( )
r 1 + ( )
2
Syntax
System Method: system_name.wls(options)
Options
Examples
sys1.wls
estimates the system of equations in SYS1 by weighted least squares.
Cross-references
system estimation.
coefficient vector.
s Iterate sequentially over the computation of the weight-
ing matrix and the estimation of the coefficient vector.
o (default) Iterate the estimate of the coefficient vector to conver-
gence following one-iteration of the weighting matrix.
c One step (iteration) of the coefficient vector estimates
following one iteration of the weighting matrix.
coefficients.
coefficient estimation to get one-step weighting matrix.
showopts /
-showopts
defaults.
p Print the estimation results.
write517
See also the available options for weighted least squares in ls (p. 329).
Create or change workfiles.
No longer supported; provided for backward compatibility. This command has been
replaced by wfcreate (p. 503) and pageselect (p. 374).
Write EViews data to a text (ASCII), Excel, or Lotus file on disk.
Creates a foreign format disk file containing EViews data. May be used to export EViews
data to another program.
Syntax
Command: write(options) [path\]filename arg1 [arg2 arg3 ]
Pool Proc: pool_name.write(options) [path\filename] pool_series1
[pool_series2 pool_series3 ...]
Coef Proc: coef_name.write(options) [path\filename]
Matrix Proc: matrix_name.write(options) [path\filename]
Follow the keyword by a name for the output file and list the series to be written. The
optional path name may be on the local machine, or may point to a network drive. If the
path name contains spaces, enclose the entire expression in double quotation marks. To
write matrix objects, simply provide a filename; the entire matrix will be exported.
Note that EViews cannot, at present, write into an existing file. The file that you select will,
if it exists, be replaced.
Options
Options are specified in parentheses after the keyword and are used to specify the format
of the output file.
File type
workfile Command
write
Command || Coef Proc | Matrix Proc | Pool Proc | Rowvector Proc |
Sym Proc | Vector Proc
t=dat, txt ASCII (plain text) files.
t=wk1, wk3 Lotus spreadsheet files.
t=xls Excel spreadsheet files.
If you omit the t= option, EViews will determine the type based on the file extension.
Unrecognized extensions will be treated as ASCII files. For Lotus and Excel spreadsheet
files specified without the t= option, EViews will automatically append the appropriate
extension if it is not otherwise specified.
ASCII text files
Spreadsheet (Lotus, Excel) files
Pooled data writing
na=string Specify text string for NAs. Default is NA.
names (default) /
nonames
[Write / Do not write] series names.
dates (default) /
nodates
[Write / Do not write] dates/obs and (pool) cross-sec-
tion identifiers (only for pool write).
id Write cross-section identifier (only for pool write).
d=arg Specify delimiter (default is tab): s (space), c
(comma).
t Write by series (or transpose the data for matrix
objects). Default is to read by obs with series in col-
umns.
letter_number Coordinate of the upper-left cell containing data.
names (default) /
nonames
[Write / Do not write] series names.
dates (default) /
nodates
[Write / Do not write] dates/obs and (pool) cross-sec-
tion identifiers (only for pool write)
id Write cross-section identifier (only for pool write).
dates=arg Excel format for writing date: first (convert to the first
day of the corresponding observation if necessary),
last (convert to the last day of the corresponding
observation).
t Write by series (or transpose the data for matrix
objects). Default is to write by obs with each series in
columns.
bycross (default)
/ byper
Stack pool data by [cross-section / date or period] (only
for pool write).
wtsls519
Examples
write(t=txt,na=.,d=c,dates) a:\dat1.csv hat1 hat_se1
Writes the two series HAT1 and HAT_SE1 into an ASCII file named DAT1.CSV on the A
drive. The data file is listed by observations, NAs are coded as . (dot), each series is sep-
arated by a comma, and the date/observation numbers are written together with the series
names.
write(t=txt,na=.,d=c,dates) dat1.csv hat1 hat_se1
writes the same file in the default directory.
mypool.write(t=xls,per) "\\network\drive a\growth" gdp? edu?
writes an Excel file GROWTH.XLS in the specified directory. The data are organized by
observation, and are listed by period/time.
Cross-references
See Exporting to a Spreadsheet or Text File on page 106 of the Users Guide for a discus-
sion. Pool writing is discussed in Exporting Pooled Data on page 828 of the Users Guide.
See also pagesave (p. 373) and read (p. 391).
Perform weighted two-stage least squares estimation of a system of equations.
To estimate single equation weighted two-stage least squares using an equation object, see
ls (p. 329).
Syntax
System Method: system_name.wtls(options)
Options
wtsls System Method
coefficient vector.
s Iterate sequentially over the computation of the weight-
ing matrix and the estimation of the coefficient vector.
o (default) Iterate the coefficient vector to convergence following
Examples
sys1.wtsls
estimates the system of equations in SYS1 by weighted two-stage least squares.
Cross-references
See Weighted Two-Stage Least Squares on page 681 of the Users Guide for further dis-
cussion.
See also tsls (p. 487) for both unweighted and weighted single equation 2SLS.
Seasonally adjust series using the Census X11.2 method.
Syntax
Series Proc: series_name.x11(options) adj_name [fac_name]
The X11 procedure carries out Census X11.2 seasonal adjustment. Enter the name of the
original series followed by a period, the keyword, and then provide a name for the season-
one iteration of the weighting matrix.
coefficients.
iteration to get the one-step weighting matrix.
showopts /
-showopts
defaults.
x11 Series Proc
x11521
ally adjusted series. You may optionally list a second series name for the seasonal factors.
The seasonal adjustment method is specified as an option in parentheses after the x11
keyword.
The X11 procedure is available only for quarterly and monthly series. The procedure
requires at least four full years of data, and can adjust up to 20 years of monthly data and
30 years of quarterly data.
Options
Examples
sales.x11(m,h) salesx11 salesfac
seasonally adjusts the SALES series and saves the adjusted series as SALESX11 and the sea-
sonal factors as SALESFAC. The adjustment assumes multiplicative seasonals and makes
adjustment for all holidays.
Cross-references
See Census X11 (Historical) on page 332 of the Users Guide for a discussion of Census
X11 seasonal adjustment method.
Note that the X11 routines are separate programs provided by the Census and are installed
in the EViews directory in the files X11Q2.EXE and X11SS.EXE. Additional documentation
for these programs can also be found in your EViews directory in the text files
X11DOC1.TXT through X11DOC3.TXT.
See also seas (p. 417), seasplot (p. 418), tramoseats (p. 484), and x12 (p. 522).
m Multiplicative seasonals.
a Additive seasonals.
s Use sliding spans.
h Adjustment for all holidays (only for monthly data spec-
ified with the m option).
i Adjustment for holidays if significant (only for monthly
data specified with the m option).
t Adjustment for all trading days (only for monthly data).
q Adjustment for trading days if significant (only for
monthly data).
p Print the X11 results.
Seasonally adjust series using the Census X12 method.
x12 is available only for quarterly and monthly series. The procedure requires at least 3
full years of data and can adjust up to 600 observations (50 years of monthly data or 150
years of quarterly data).
Syntax
Series Proc: series_name.x12(options) base_name
Enter the name of the original series followed by a dot, the keyword, and a base name (no
more than the maximum length of a series name minus 4) for the saved series. If you do
not provide a base name, the original series name will be used as a base name. See the
description in save= option below for the naming convention used to save series.
Options
Commonly Used Options
x12 Series Proc
mode=arg
(default=m)
Seasonal adjustment method: m (multiplicative
adjustment; Series must take only non-negative values),
a (additive adjustment), p (pseudo-additive adjust-
ment), l (log-additive seasonal adjustment; Series
must take only positive values).
filter=arg
(default=msr)
Seasonal filter: msr (automatic, moving seasonality
ratio), x11 (X11 default), stable (stable), s3x1
(3x1 moving average), s3x3 (3x3 moving average),
s3x5 (3x5 moving average), s3x9 (3x9 moving aver-
age), s3x15 (3x15 moving average seasonal filter;
Series must have at least 20 years of data).
x12523
save= arg Optionally saved series keyword enclosed in quotes.
List the extension (given in Table 6-8, p.71 of the X12-
ARIMA Reference Manual) for the series you want to
save. The created series will use names of the form
basename, followed by a series keyword specific suffix.
Commonly used options and suffixes are: "d10" (final
seasonal factors, saved with suffix _sf), "d11" (final
seasonally adjusted series using _sa), "d12" (final
trend-cycle component using _tc), "d13" (final
irregular component using _ir).
All other options are named using the option symbol.
For example save="d16" will store a series named
basename_D16.
To save more than two series, separate the list with a
space. For example, save="d10 d12" saves the sea-
sonal factors and the trend-cycle series.
tf=arg Transformation for regARIMA: logit (Logit transfor-
mation), auto (automatically choose between no
transformation and log transformation), number (Box-
Cox power transformation using specified parameter;
use tf=0 for log transformation).
sspan Sliding spans stability analysis. Cannot be used along
with the h option.
history Historical record of seasonal adjustment revisions. Can-
not be used along with the sspan option.
check Check residuals of regARIMA.
outlier Outlier analysis of regARIMA.
x11reg=arg Regressors to model the irregular component in sea-
sonal adjustment. Regressors must be chosen from the
predefined list in Table 6-14, p. 88 of the X12-ARIMA
Reference Manual. To specify more than one regressor,
separate by a space within the double quotes.
reg=arg_list Regressors for the regARIMA model. Regressors must be
chosen from the predefined list in Table 6-17, pp. 100-
101 of the X12-ARIMA Reference Manual. To specify
more than one regressor, separate by a space within the
double quotes.
arima=arg ARIMA spec of the regARIMA model. Must follow the
X12 ARIMA specification syntax. Cannot be used
together with the amdl= option.
amdl=f Automatically choose the ARIMA spec. Use forecasts
from the chosen model in seasonal adjustment. Cannot
be used together with the arima= option and must be
used together with the mfile= option.
amdl=b Automatically choose the ARIMA spec. Use forecasts
and backcasts from the chosen model in seasonal
adjustment. Cannot be used together with the arima=
option and must be used together with the mfile=
option.
best Sets the method option of the auto model spec to best
(default is first). Also sets the identify option of the
auto model spec to all (default is first). Must be used
modelsmpl=arg Sets the subsample for fitting the ARIMA model. Either
specify a sample object name or a sample range. The
model sample must be a subsample of the current work-
file sample and should not contain any breaks.
mfile=arg Specifies the file name (include the extension, if any)
that contains a list of ARIMA specifications to choose
from. Must be used together with the amdl= option.
The default is the X12A.MDL file provided by the Cen-
sus.
outsmpl Use out-of-sample forecasts for automatic model selec-
tion. Default is in-sample forecasts. Must be used
plotspectra Save graph of spectra for differenced seasonally
adjusted series and outlier modified irregular series.
The saved graph will be named GR_seriesname_SP.
p Print X12 procedure results.
x12525
Other Options
hma=integer Specifies the Henderson moving average to estimate the
final trend-cycle. The X12 default is automatically
selected based on the data. To override this default,
specify an odd integer between 1 and 101.
sigl=arg Specifies the lower sigma limit used to downweight
extreme irregulars in the seasonal adjustment. The
default is 1.5 and you can specify any positive real
number.
sigh=arg Specifies the upper sigma limit used to downweight
extreme irregulars in the seasonal adjustment. The
default is 2.5 and you can specify any positive real
number less than the lower sigma limit.
ea Nonparametric Easter holiday adjustment (x11easter).
Cannot be used together with the easter[w] regressor
in the reg= or x11reg= options.
f Appends forecasts up to one year to some optionally
saved series. Forecasts are appended only to the follow-
ing series specified in the save= option: "b1"
(original series, adjusted for prior effects), "d10"
(final seasonal factors), "d16" (combined seasonal
and trading day factors).
flead=integer Specifies the number of periods to forecast (to be used
in the seasonal adjustment procedure). The default is
one year and you can specify an integer up to 60.
fback=integer Specifies the number of periods to backcast (to be used
in the seasonal adjustment procedure). The default is 0
and you can specify an integer up to 60. No backcasts
are produced for series more than 15 years long.
aicx11 Test (based on AIC) whether to retain the regressors
specified in x11reg=. Must be used together with the
x11reg= option.
aicreg Test (based on AIC) whether to retain the regressors
specified in reg=. Must be used together with the
reg= option.
User provided spec file
EViews provides most of the basic options available in the X12 program. For users who
need to access the full set of options, we have provided the ability to pass your own X12
specification file from EViews. The advantage of using this method (as opposed to running
the X12 program in DOS) is that EViews will automatically handle the data in the input
and output series.
To provide your own specification file, specify the path/name of your file using the
sfile= option in the x12 proc. Your specification file should follow the format of an X12
specification file as described in the X12-ARIMA Reference Manual, with the following
exceptions:
the specification file should have neither a series spec nor a composite spec.
the x11 spec must include a save option for D11 (the final seasonally adjusted series)
in addition to any other extensions you want to store. EViews will always look for
D11, and will error if it is not found.
to read back data for a save option other than D11, you must include the save=
option in the x12 proc. For example, to obtain the final trend-cycle series (D12) into
EViews, you must have a save= option for D12 (and D11) in the x11 spec of your
specification file and a save=d12" option in the EViews x12 proc.
Note that when you use an sfile= option, EViews will ignore any other options in the
x12 proc, except for the save= option.
Difference between the dialog and command line
The options corresponding to the Trading Day/Holiday and Outliers tab in the X12 dialog
should be specified by listing the appropriate regressors in the x11reg= and reg=
options.
Examples
The command:
sales.x12(mode=m,save="d10 d12") salesx12
seasonally adjusts the SALES series in multiplicative mode. The seasonal factors (d10) are
stored as SALESX12_SF and the trend-cycles series is stored as SALESX12_TC.
sfile=arg Path/name (including extension, if any) of user pro-
vided specification file. The file must follow a specific
format; see the discussion below.
x12527
sales.x12(tf=0,arima="(0 0 1)",reg="const td")
specifies a regARIMA model with a constant, trading day effect variables, and MA(1) using
a log transformation. This command does not store any series.
freeze(x12out) sales.x12(tf=auto, amdl=f, mfile=
"c:\eviews\mymdl.txt")
stores the output from X12 in a text object named X12OUT. The options specify an auto-
matic transformation and an automatic model selection from the file MYMDL.TXT.
revenue.x12(tf=auto,sfile="c:\eviews\spec1.txt",save="d12
d13")
adjusts the series REVENUE using the options given in the SPEC1.TXT file. Note the fol-
lowing: (1) the tf=auto option will be ignored (you should instead specify this option in
your specification file) and (2) EViews will save two series REVENUE_TC and
REVENUE_IR which will be filled with NAs unless you provided the save= option for
D12 and D13 in your specification file.
freeze(x12out) sales.x12(tf=auto, amdl=f, mfile=
"c:\eviews\mymdl.txt")
stores the output from X12 in the text object X12OUT. The options specify an automatic
transformation and an automatic model selection from the file MYMDL.TXT. The season-
ally adjusted series is stored as SALES_SA by default.
revenue.x12(tf=auto,sfile="c:\eviews\spec1.txt",save="d12
d13")
adjusts the series REVENUE using the options given in the SPEC1.TXT file. Note the fol-
lowing: (1) the tf=auto option will again be ignored (you should instead specify this in
your specification file) and (2) EViews will error if you did not specify a save= option
for D11, D12, and D13 in your specification file.
Cross-references
See Census X12 on page 325 of the Users Guide for a discussion of the Census X12 pro-
gram. The documentation for X12, X12-ARIMA Reference Manual, may be found in the
DOCS subdirectory of your EViews directory, in the PDF files FINALPT1.PDF and
FINALPT2.PDF.
See also seas (p. 417) and x11 (p. 520).
Display XY graph of object, or change existing graph object type to XY (if possible).
By default, the first series or column of data will be located along the horizontal axis and
Syntax
Command: xy(options) arg1 [arg2 arg3 ...]
Object View: group_name.xy(options)
Graph Proc: graph_name.xy(options)
If changing the type of a graph, the default behavior is to use the existing settings for lines
and symbols in the graph.
See scat (p. 412) and xyline (p. 530) if you wish to create an XY graph with specific
line/symbol settings, or use setelem (p. 426) to change the settings after the graph is cre-
ated.
Options
Options may be specified in parentheses after the keyword.
Note that use of a template will override the existing line and symbol settings.
Scale options
xy Command || Graph Command | Group View | Matrix View | Sym View
p Print the XY line graph.
forth).
xy529
Panel options
Examples
group g1 inf unemp gdp inv
g1.xy(o=gra1)
plots INF on the horizontal axis and UNEMP, GDP and INV on the vertical axis, using the
graph object GRA1 as a template.
g1.xy(b)
g1.xy(b,m)
plots INF against UNEMP and GDP against INV in first in a single graph, and then in mul-
tiple graphs.
panel=arg
(default taken
from global set-
tings)
graph01.xy(m, n)
changes its type to an XY plot displayed in multiple graphs with normalized scales, with
the remaining XY graph settings at their default values, and using the existing GRAPH01
settings for line and symbol display.
Cross-references
See XY Line on page 363 of the Users Guide for additional details.
See graph (p. 303) for graph declaration and additional graph types and options
(p. 358) for graph options. scat (p. 412) and xyline (p. 530) are specialized forms of XY
graphs.
Display XY line graph, or change existing graph object type to XY line (if possible).
By default, the first series or column of data will be located along the horizontal axis and
Syntax
Command: xyline(options) arg1 [arg2 arg3 ...]
Object View: group_name.xyline(options)
Graph Proc: graph_name.xyline(options)
XY line graphs are simply XY plots (see xy (p. 528)) with lines turned on, and symbols
turned off (see setelem (p. 426)).
Options
Options may be specified in parentheses after the keyword:
xyline Command || Graph Command | Group View | Matrix View | Sym View
p Print the XY graph.
xyline531
Note that use of the template option will override the lines setting.
Scale options
Panel options
Examples
g1.xyline(o=gra1)
plots, in a single graph, INF (on the vertical axis) against UNEMP and GDP against INV,
using the graph object GRA1 as a template.
g1.xyline
forth).
panel=arg
(default taken
from global set-
tings)
g1.xyline(m)
plots INF against UNEMP and GDP against INV, first in a single graph, and then in multiple
graphs.
graph01.xyline(d)
changes its type to an XY line plot with dual scales and no crossing, with the remaining XY
graph settings at their default values.
Cross-references
See xy (p. 528) and graph (p. 303) for graph declaration and additional graph types and
options (p. 358) for graph options. See scat (p. 412) for XY scatterplots.
Display XY pairs graph, or change existing graph object type to XY pairs (if possible).
Plots the data in pairs, where the first two series or columns are plotted against each other,
the second two series or columns are plotted against each other, and so forth.
Syntax
Command: xypair(options) arg1 [arg2 arg3 ...]
Object View: group_name.xypair(options)
Graph Proc: graph_name.xypair(options)
If changing the type of a graph, the default behavior is to use the existing settings for lines
and symbols in the graph.
This graph type is equivalent to using xy (p. 528) with the b option indicating that the
data should be graphed in pairs.
Options
Options may be specified in parentheses after the keyword:
xypair
View | Sym View
xypair533
Note that the use of a template option will override the pairs setting.
Scale options
Panel options
p Print the XY graph.
forth).
panel=arg
(default taken
from global set-
tings)
Examples
g1.xypair(o=gra1)
plots, in a single graph, INF (on the vertical axis) against UNEMP and GDP against INV,
using the graph object GRA1 as a template.
g1.xypair
g1.xypair(m)
plots INF against UNEMP and GDP against INV, first in a single graph, and then in multiple
graphs.
If there is an existing graph GRAPH01, the expression
graph01.xypair(m, n)
changes its type to an XY pair plot displayed in multiple graphs with normalized scales,
with the remaining XY graph settings at their default values, and using the existing
GRAPH01 settings for line and symbol display.
Cross-references
See graph (p. 303) for graph declaration and additional graph types and options
(p. 358) for graph options. See xy (p. 528) for the creation of general XY graphs, and scat
(p. 412) for scatterplots.
Appendix C. Special Expression Reference
This Appendix provides an alphabetical listing of special expressions that may be used in series
assignment and generation, or as terms in estimation specifications.
Autoregressive error specification.
The AR specification can appear in an ls (p. 329) or tsls (p. 487) specification to indicate an
autoregressive component. ar(1) indicates the first order component, ar(2) indicates the
second order component, and so on.
Examples
The command:
ls m1 c tb3 tb3(-1) ar(1) ar(4)
regresses M1 on a constant, TB3, and TB3 lagged once with a first order and fourth order
autoregressive component. The command:
tsls sale c adv ar(1) ar(2) ar(3) ar(4) @ c gdp
performs two-stage least squares of SALE on a constant and ADV with up to fourth order
autoregressive components using a constant and GDP as instruments.
Cross-references
See Chapter 17, Time Series Regression, on page 477 of the Users Guide for details on ARMA
and seasonal ARMA modeling.
See also sar (p. 541), ma (p. 537), and sma (p. 542).
Automatic dummy variables.
The @expand expression may be added in estimation to indicate the use of one or more auto-
matically created dummy variables.
Syntax
Expression: @expand(ser1[, ser2, ser3, ...][, drop_spec]))
ar Equation Expression
@expand Equation Expression
536Appendix C. Special Expression Reference
creates a set of dummy variables that span the unique values of the input series ser1, ser2,
etc.
The optional drop_spec may be used to drop one or more of the dummy variables.
drop_spec may contain the keyword @DROPFIRST (indicating that you wish to drop the
first category), @DROPLAST (to drop the last category), or a description of an explicit
category, using the syntax:
@DROP(val1[, val2, val3,...])
where each argument corresponds to a category in @EXPAND. You may use the wild card
"*" to indicate all values of a corresponding category.
Example
For example, consider the following two variables:
SEX is a numeric series which takes the values 1 and 0.
REGION is an alpha series which takes the values North, South, East, and
West.
The command:
eq.ls income @expand(sex) age
regresses INCOME on two dummy variables, one for SEX=0 and one for SEX=1 as
well as the simple regressor AGE.
The @EXPAND statement in,
eq.ls income @expand(sex, region) age
creates 8 dummy variables corresponding to :
sex=0, region="North"
sex=0, region="South"
sex=0, region="East"
sex=0, region="West"
sex=1, region="North"
sex=1, region="South"
sex=1, region="East"
sex=1, region="West"
The expression:
537
@expand(sex, region, @dropfirst)
creates the set of dummy variables defined above, but no dummy is created for SEX=0,
REGION="North". In the expression:
@expand(sex, region, @droplast)
no dummy is created for SEX=1, REGION="WEST".
The expression:
@expand(sex, region, @drop(0,"West"), @drop(1,"North")
creates a set of dummy variables from SEX and REGION pairs, but no dummy is created for
SEX=0, REGION="West" and SEX=1, REGION="North".
@expand(sex, region, @drop(1,*))
specifies that dummy variables for all values of REGION where SEX=1 should be
dropped.
Cross-references
See Automatic Categorical Dummy Variables on page 450 of the Users Guide for further
discussion.
Moving average error specification.
The ma specification may be added in an ls (p. 329) or tsls (p. 487) specification to indi-
cate a moving average error component. ma(1) indicates the first order component,
ma(2) indicates the second order component, and so on.
Examples
ls(z) m1 c tb3 tb3(-1) ma(1) ma(2)
regresses M1 on a constant, TB3, and TB3 lagged once with first order and second order
moving average error components. The z option turns off backcasting in estimation.
Cross-references
See Time Series Regression on page 477 of the Users Guide for details on ARMA and
seasonal ARMA modeling.
See also sma (p. 542), ar (p. 535), and sar (p. 541).
ma Equation Expression
Not available code. NA is used to represent missing observations.
Examples
smpl if y >= 0
series z = y
smpl if y < 0
z = na
generates a series Z containing the contents of Y, but with all negative values of Y set to
NA.
NA values will also be generated by mathematical operations that are undefined:
series y = nrnd
y = log(y)
will replace all positive value of Y with log(Y) and all negative values with NA.
series test = (yt <> na)
creates the series TEST which takes the value one for nonmissing observations of the
series YT. A zero value of TEST indicates missing values of the series YT.
Note that the behavior of missing values has changed since EViews 2. Previously, NA val-
ues were coded as 1e-37. This implied that in EViews 2, you could use the expression:
series z = (y>=0)*x + (y<0)*na
to return the value of Y for non-negative values of Y and NA for negative values of Y.
This expression will now generate the value NA for all values of Y, since mathematical
expressions involving missing values always return NA. You must now use the smpl
statement as in the first example above, or the @recode or @nan function.
Cross-references
See Missing Values on page 126 of the Users Guide for a discussion of working with
missing values in EViews.
na Series Expression
539
Normal random number generator.
When used in a series expression, nrnd generates (pseudo) random draws from a normal
distribution with zero mean and unit variance.
Examples
smpl @first @first
series y = 0
smpl @first+1 @last
series y = .6*y(-1)+.5*nrnd
generates a Y series that follows an AR(1) process with initial value zero. The innovations
are normally distributed with mean zero and standard deviation 0.5.
series u = 10+@sqr(3)*nrnd
series z = u+.5*u(-1)
generates a Z series that follows an MA(1) process. The innovations are normally distrib-
uted with mean 10 and variance 3.
series x = nrnd^2+nrnd^2+nrnd^2
generates an X series as the sum of squares of three independent standard normal random
variables, which has a distribution. Note that adding the sum of the three series is
not the same as issuing the command:
series x=3*nrnd^2
since the latter involves the generation of a single random variable.
The command:
series x=@qchisq(rnd,3)
provides an alternative method of simulating random draws from a distribution.
Cross-references
See Statistical Distribution Functions on page 554 for a list of other random number gen-
erating functions from various distributions.
See also rnd (p. 541), rndint (p. 402) and rndseed (p. 403).
nrnd Series Expression
2
3 ( )
2
3 ( )
Polynomial distributed lag specification.
This expression allows you to estimate polynomial distributed lag specifications in ls or
tsls estimation. pdl forces the coefficients of a distributed lag to lie on a polynomial. The
expression can only be used in estimation by list.
Syntax
Expression: pdl(series_name, lags, order[,options])
Options
The PDL specification must be provided in parentheses after the keyword pdl in the fol-
lowing order: the name of the series to which to fit a polynomial lag, the number of lags to
include, the order (degree) of polynomial to fit, and an option number to constrain the
PDL. By default, EViews does not constrain the endpoints of the PDL.
The constraint options are:
Examples
ls sale c pdl(order,8,3) ar(1) ar(2)
fits a third degree polynomial to the coefficients of eight lags of the regressor ORDER.
tsls sale c pdl(order,12,3,2) @ c pdl(rain,12,6)
fits a third degree polynomial to the coefficients of twelve lags of ORDER, constraining the
far end to be zero. Estimation is by two-stage least squares, using a constant and a sixth
degree polynomial fit to twelve lags of RAIN.
tsls y c x1 x2 pdl(z,12,3,2) @ c pdl(*) z2 z3 z4
When the PDL variable is exogenous in 2SLS, you may use pdl(*) in the instrument list
instead of repeating the full PDL specification.
pdl Equation Expression
1 Constrain the near end of the distribution to zero.
2 Constrain the far end of the distribution to zero.
3 Constrain both the near and far end of the distribu-
tion to zero.
541
Cross-references
See Polynomial Distributed Lags (PDLs) on page 445 of the Users Guide for further dis-
cussion.
Uniform random number generator.
Generates (pseudo) random draws from a uniform distribution on (0,1). The expression
may be included in a series expression or in an equation to be used in solve.
Examples
series u=5+(12-5)*rnd
generates a U series drawn from a uniform distribution on (5, 12).
Cross-references
See also nrnd (p. 539), rndint (p. 402) and rndseed (p. 403).
Seasonal autoregressive error specification.
sar can be included in ls or tsls specification to specify a multiplicative seasonal
autoregressive term. A sar(p) term can be included in your equation specification to rep-
resent a seasonal autoregressive term with lag . The lag polynomial used in estimation is
the product of that specified by the ar terms and that specified by the sar terms. The pur-
pose of the sar expression is to allow you to form the product of lag polynomials.
Examples
ls tb3 c ar(1) ar(2) sar(4)
TB3 is modeled as a second order autoregressive process with a multiplicative seasonal
autoregressive term at lag four.
tsls sale c adv ar(1) sar(12) sar(24) @ c gdp
In this two-stage least squares specification, the error term is a first order autoregressive
process with multiplicative seasonal autoregressive terms at lags 12 and 24.
rnd Series Expression
sar Equation Expression
p
Cross-references
See ARIMA Theory beginning on page 485 of the Users Guide for details on ARMA and
See also sma (p. 542), ar (p. 535), and ma (p. 537).
Seasonal moving average error specification.
sma can be included in a ls or tsls specification to specify a multiplicative seasonal
moving average term. A sma(p) term can be included in your equation specification to
represent a seasonal moving average term of order . The lag polynomial used in estima-
tion is the product of that specified by the ma terms and that specified by the sma terms.
The purpose of the sma expression is to allow you to form the product of lag polynomials.
Examples
ls tb3 c ma(1) ma(2) sma(4)
TB3 is modeled as a second order moving average process with a multiplicative seasonal
moving average term at lag four.
tsls(z) sale c adv ma(1) sma(12) sma(24) @ c gdp
In this two-stage least squares specification, the error term is a first order moving average
process with multiplicative seasonal moving average terms at lags 12 and 24. The z
option turns off backcasting.
Cross-references
See ARIMA Theory beginning on page 485 of the Users Guide for details on ARMA and
See also sar (p. 541), ar (p. 535), and ma (p. 537).
sma Equation Expression
p
Appendix D. Operator and Function Reference
The reference material in this section describes basic operators and functions that
may be used with series and (in some cases) matrix objects. A general description of
the use of these operators and functions may be found in Chapter 6, Working with
Data, beginning on page 121 of the Users Guide.
This material is divided into several topics:
Operators.
Basic mathematical functions.
Time series functions.
Descriptive statistics.
By-group statistics.
Additional and special functions.
Trigonometric functions.
Statistical distribution functions.
String functions.
Date functions.
Workfile functions.
Value map functions.
Matrix functions.
Documentation on libraries of more specialized functions is provided elsewhere:
For a description of functions related to string and date manipulation, see
String Function Summary on page 127 and Date Function Summary on
page 150.
For details on workfile functions that provide information about each observa-
tion of a workfile based on information contained in the structure of the work-
file, see Appendix E, Workfile Functions, on page 559.
Functions for working with value maps are documented in Valmap Functions
on page 165 of the Users Guide.
544Appendix D. Operator and Function Reference
For a list of functions specific to matrices, see Matrix Function and Command Sum-
mary on page 44.
Operators
All of the operators described below may be used in expressions involving series and sca-
lar values. When applied to a series expression, the operation is performed for each obser-
vation in the current sample. The precedence of evaluation is listed in Operators on
page 121 of the Users Guide. Note that you can enforce order-of-evaluation using paren-
theses.
.
In addition, EViews provides special functions to perform comparisons using special rules
for handling missing values (see Missing Values on page 126) :
Expression Operator Description
+ add x+y adds the contents of X and Y.
subtract xy subtracts the contents of Y from X.
* multiply x*y multiplies the contents of X by Y.
/ divide x/y divides the contents of X by Y.
^ raise to the power x^y raises X to the power of Y.
> greater than x>y takes the value 1 if X exceeds Y, and 0 other-
wise.
< less than x<y takes the value 1 if Y exceeds X, and 0 oth-
erwise.
= equal to x=y takes the value 1 if X and Y are equal, and 0
otherwise.
<> not equal to x<>y takes the value 1 if X and Y are not equal,
and 0 if they are equal.
<= less than or equal
to
x<=y takes the value 1 if X does not exceed Y,
and 0 otherwise.
>= greater than or
equal to
x>=y takes the value 1 if Y does not exceed X,
and 0 otherwise.
and logical and x and y takes the value 1 if both X and Y are
nonzero, and 0 otherwise.
or logical or x or y takes the value 1 if either X or Y is non-
zero, and 0 otherwise.
Basic Mathematical Functions545
Basic Mathematical Functions
These functions perform basic mathematical operations. When applied to a series, they
return a value for every observation in the current sample. When applied to a matrix
object, they return a value for every element of the matrix object. The functions will return
NA values for observations where the input values are NAs, or where the input values are
not valid. For example, the square-root function @sqrt, will return NAs for all observa-
tions less than zero.
@eqna(x,y) equal to takes the value 1 if X and Y are equal, and
0 otherwise. NAs are treated as ordinary
values for purposes of comparison.
@isna(x) equal to NA takes the value 1 if X is equal to NA and 0
otherwise.
@neqna(x,y) not equal to takes the value 1 if X and Y are not equal,
and 0 if they are equal. NAs are treated as
ordinary values for purposes of compari-
son.
Name Function Examples/Description
@abs(x), abs(x) absolute value .
@ceiling(x) smallest integer not less
than
;
.
@exp(x), exp(x) exponential, .
@fact(x) factorial, ; .
@factlog(x) natural logarithm of the fac-
torial,
;
.
@floor(x) largest integer not greater
than
;
.
@inv(x) reciprocal, .
@mod(x,y) floating point remainder returns the remainder of with
the same sign as . If the
result is 0.
@log(x), log(x)
natural logarithm,
;
.
@log10(x) base-10 logarithm, .
@abs 3 3 =
@ceiling 2.34 3 =
@ceiling 4 4 =
e
x
@exp 1 2.71813 ~
x! @fact 3 6 = @fact 0 1 =
log
e
x! ( )
@factlog 3 1.7918 =
@factlog 0 0 =
@floor 1.23 1 =
@floor 3.1 4 =
1 x @inv 2 0.5 =
x y
x y 0 =
log
e
x ( )
@ 2 ( ) log 0.693 ~
2.71813 ( ) log 1 ~
log
10
x ( )
@log10(100) 2 =
Time Series Functions
The following functions facilitate working with time series data. Note that NAs will be
returned for observations for which lagged values are not available. For example, d(x)
returns a missing value for the first observation in the workfile, since the lagged value is
not available.
@logx(x,b) base-b logarithm, .
@nan(x,y) recode NAs in X to Y returns if , and if
.
@recode(s,x,y) recode by condition returns if condition is true; oth-
erwise returns .
@round(x) round to the nearest integer ;
.
@sqrt(x), sqr(x) square root .
Name Function Description
d(x) first difference

where is the lag operator.
d(x,n) n-th order difference
.
d(x,n,s) n-th order difference with a
seasonal difference at
.
dlog(x) first difference of the logarithm
.
dlog(x,n) n-th order difference of the log-
arithm
.
dlog(x,n,s) n-th order difference of the log-
arithm with a seasonal differ-
ence at
.
@movav(x,n) n-period backward moving
average
@movsum(x,n) n-period backward moving
sum

log
b
x ( ) @log(256, 2) 8 =
x x<>NA y
x NA =
x s
y
@round(-97.5) 98 =
@round(3.5) 4 =
@sqrt(9) 3 =
1 L ( )X X X 1 ( ) =
L
1 L ( )
n
X
s
1 L ( )
n
1 L
s
( )X
1 L ( ) X ( ) log
X ( ) log X 1 ( ) ( ) log =
1 L ( )
n
X ( ) log
s
1 L ( )
n
1 L
s
( ) X ( ) log
@movav(x, 3)
X X 1 ( ) X 2 ( ) + + ( )
3
=
@movsum(x,3)
X X 1 ( ) X 2 ( ) + + ( ) =
Descriptive Statistics547
Descriptive Statistics
These functions compute descriptive statistics for a specified sample, excluding missing
values if necessary. The default sample is the current workfile sample. If you are perform-
ing these computations on a series and placing the results into a series, you can specify a
sample as the last argument of the descriptive statistic function, either as a string (in dou-
ble quotes) or using the name of a sample object. For example:
series z = @mean(x, "1945m01 1979m12")
or
w = @var(y, s2)
where S2 is the name of a sample object and W and X are series. Note that you may not
use a sample argument if the results are assigned into a matrix, vector, or scalar object. For
example, the following assignment:
vector(2) a
series x
a(1) = @mean(x, "1945m01 1979m12")
@pc(x) one-period percentage change
(in percent)
equals @pch(x)*100
@pch(x) one-period percentage change
(in decimal)
@pca(x) one-period percentage
changeannualized (in per-
cent)
equals @pcha(x)*100
@pcha(x) one-period percentage
changeannualized (in deci-
mal)
where is the lag associated
with one-year ( ) for
quarterly data, etc.).
@pcy(x) one-year percentage change (in
percent)
equals @pchy(x)*100
@pchy(x) one-year percentage change (in
decimal)
, where
is the lag associated with one-
year ( ) for annual data,
etc.).
X X 1 ( ) ( ) X 1 ( )
@pcha(x)
1 @pch x ( ) + ( )
n
1 =
n
n 4 =
X X n ( ) ( ) X n ( )
n
n 12 =
is not valid since the target A(1) is a vector element. To perform this latter computation,
you must explicitly set the global sample prior to performing the calculation performing
the assignment:
smpl 1945:01 1979:12
a(1) = @mean(x)
To determine the number of observations available for a given series, use the @obs func-
tion. Note that where appropriate, EViews will perform casewise exclusion of data with
missing values. For example, @cov(x,y) and @cor(x,y) will use only observations for
which data on both X and Y are valid.
In the following table, arguments in square brackets [ ] are optional arguments:
[s]: sample expression in double quotes or name of a sample object. The optional
sample argument may only be used if the result is assigned to a series. For @quan-
tile, you must provide the method option argument in order to include the
optional sample argument.
If the desired sample expression contains the double quote character, it may be entered
using the double quote as an escape character. Thus, if you wish to use the equivalent of,
smpl if name = "Smith"
in your @MEAN function, you should enter the sample condition as:
series y = @mean(x, "if name=""Smith""")
The pairs of double quotes in the sample expression are treated as a single double quote.
Function Name Description
@cor(x,y[,s]) correlation the correlation between X and Y.
@cov(x,y[,s]) covariance the covariance between X and Y.
@inner(x,y[,s]) inner product the inner product of X and Y.
@obs(x[,s]) number of observa-
tions
the number of non-missing obser-
vations for X in the current sam-
ple.
@mean(x[,s]) mean average of the values in X.
@median(x[,s]) median computes the median of the X
(uses the average of middle two
observations if the number of
observations is even).
@min(x[,s]) minimum minimum of the values in X.
@max(x[,s]) maximum maximum of the values in X.
By-Group Statistics549
By-Group Statistics
The following by group-statistics are available in EViews. They may be used as part of a
series expression statements to compute the statistic for subgroups, and to assign the value
of the relevant statistic to each observation.
@quantile(x,q[,m,s]) quantile the q-th quantile of the series X. m
is an optional integer argument for
specifying the quantile method: 1
(rankit - default), 2 (ordinary), 3
(van der Waerden), 4 (Blom), 5
(Tukey).
@stdev(x[,s]) standard deviation square root of the unbiased sam-
ple variance (sum-of-squared
residuals divided by ).
@sum(x[,s]) sum the sum of X.
@sumsq(x[,s]) sum-of-squares sum of the squares of X.
@var(x[,s]) variance variance of the values in X (divi-
sion by ).
Function Description
@obsby(arg1, arg2[, s]) Number of non-NA arg1 observations for each
arg2 group.
@sumsby(arg1, arg2[, s]) Sum of arg1 observations for each arg2 group.
@meansby(arg1, arg2[, s]) Mean of arg1 observations for each arg2 group.
@minsby(arg1, arg2[, s]) Minimum value of arg1 observations for each
arg2 group.
@maxsby(arg1, arg2[, s]) Maximum value of arg1 observations for each
arg2 group.
@mediansby(arg1, arg2[, s]) Median of arg1 observations for each arg2
group.
@varsby(arg1, arg2[, s]) Variance of arg1 observations for each arg2
group.
@stdevsby(arg1, arg2[, s]) Standard deviation of arg1 observations for each
arg2 group.
@sumsqsby(arg1, arg2[, s]) Sum of squares of arg1 observations for each
arg2 group.
n 1
n
With the exception of @QUANTILEBY, all of the functions take the form:
@STATBY(arg1, arg2[, s])
where @STATBY is one of the by-group function keyword names, arg1 is a series expres-
sion, arg2 is a numeric or alpha series expression identifying the subgroups, and s is an
optional sample literal (a quoted sample expression) or a named sample. With the excep-
tion of @OBSBY, arg1 must be a numeric series.
By default, EViews will use the workfile sample when computing the descriptive statistics.
You may provide the optional sample s as a literal (quoted) sample expression or a named
sample.
The @QUANTILEBY function requires an additional argument for the quantile value that
you wish to compute:
@QUANTILEBY(arg1, arg2, q[, s])
For example, to compute the first quartile, you should use the q value of .25.
There are two related functions of note,
@GROUPID(arg[, smpl])
returns an integer indexing the group ID for each observation of the series or alpha expres-
sion arg, while:
@NGROUPS(arg[, smpl])
returns a scalar indicating the number of groups (distinct values) for the series or alpha
expression arg.
Special Functions
EViews provides a number of special functions used in evaluating the properties of various
statistical distributions or for returning special mathematical values such as Eulers con-
stant. For further details on special functions, see the extensive discussions in Temme
(1996), Abramowitz and Stegun (1964), and Press, et al. (1992).
@quantilesby(arg1, arg2,
[, s])
Quantiles of arg1 observations for each arg2
group.
@skewsby(arg1, arg2[, s]) Skewness of arg1 observations for each arg2
group.
@kurtsby(arg1, arg2[, s]) Kurtosis of arg1 observations for each arg2
group.
@nasby(arg1, arg2[, s]) Number of arg1 NA values for each arg2 group.
Special Functions551
Function Description
@beta(a,b) beta integral (Euler integral of the second kind):
for .
@betainc(x,a,b) incomplete beta integral:
for and .
@betaincder(x,a,b,s) derivative of the incomplete beta integral:
evaluates the derivatives of the incomplete beta integral
, where is an integer from 1 to 9 corre-
sponding to the desired derivative:
@betaincinv(p,a,b) inverse of the incomplete beta integral: returns an
satisfying:
for and .
@betalog(a,b) natural logarithm of the beta integral:
.
@binom(n,x) binomial coefficient:
for and positive integers, .
B a b , ( ) t
a 1
1 t ( )
b 1
t d
0
1
}
a ( ) b ( )
a b + ( )
= =
a b 0 > ,
1
B a b , ( )
t
a 1
1 t ( )
b 1
t d
0
x
}
0 x 1 s s a b 0 > ,
B x a b , , ( ) s
1 2 3
4 5 6
7 8 9
B
x
B
a
B
b
2
B
x
2

2
B
xa

2
B
xb
2
B
a
2

2
B
ab

2
B
b
2
=
x
p
1
B a b , ( )
t
a 1
1 t ( )
b 1
t d
0
x
}
=
0 p 1 s s a b 0 > ,
B a b , ( ) log a ( ) log b ( ) log a b + ( ) log + =
n
x ' .
|
n!
x! n x ( )!
=
n x 0 x n s s
@binomlog(n,x) natural logarithm of the binomial coefficient:
@cloglog(x) complementary log-log function:
See also @qextreme.
@digamma(x), @psi(x) first derivative of the log gamma function:
@erf(x) error function:
for .
@erfc(x) complementary error function:
.
for .
@gamma(x) (complete) gamma function:
for .
@gammader(x) first derivative of the gamma function:
Note: Eulers constant, , may be evaluated
as . See also @digamma and
@trigamma.
@gammainc(x,a) incomplete gamma function:
for and .
n! ( ) log x! ( ) log n x ( )! ( ) log
1 x ( ) log ( ) log
x ( )
d x ( ) log
dx
1
x ( )
d x ( )
dx
= =
erf x ( )
2
e
t
2
t d
0
x
}
=
x 0 >
erfc x ( )
2
e
t
2
t d
x
}
1 erf x ( ) = =
x 0 >
x ( ) e
t
t
x 1
t d
0
}
=
x 0 >
' x ( ) d x ( ) dx ( ) =
0.5772 ~
@gammader(1) =
G x a , ( )
1
a ( )
e
t
t
a 1
t d
0
x
}
=
x 0 > a 0 >
Trigonometric Functions553
Trigonometric Functions
When applied to a series, all of the trigonometric functions operate on every observation in
the current sample and return a value for every observation. Where relevant, the input and
results should/will be expressed in radians. All results are real valuedcomplex values
will return NAs.
@gammaincder(x,a,n) derivative of the incomplete gamma function:
Evaluates the derivatives of the incomplete gamma
integral , where is an integer from 1 to 5
corresponding to the desired derivative:
@gammaincinv(p,a) inverse of the incomplete gamma function: find the
value of satisfying:
for and .
@gammalog(x) logarithm of the gamma function: . For deriva-
tives of this function see @digamma and @trigamma.
@logit(x) logistic transform:
@psi(x) see @digamma.
@trigamma(x) second derivative of the log gamma function:
Function Name Examples/Description
@acos(x) arc cosine (real results in radians)
@asin(x) arc sine (real results in radians)
@atan(x) arc tangent (results in radians)
G x a , ( ) n
1 2 -
3 4 5
G
x
G
a
-
2
G
x
2

2
G
xa

2
G
a
2
=
x
p G x a , ( )
1
a ( )
e
t
t
a 1
t d
0
x
}
= =
0 p 1 < s a 0 >
x ( ) log
1
1 e
x
+
e
x
1 e
x
+
=
' x ( )
d
2
x ( ) log
dx
2
=
@acos(-1) =
@asin(-1) 2 =
@atan(1) 4 =
Statistical Distribution Functions
The following functions provide access to the density or probability functions, cumulative
distribution, quantile functions, and random number generators for a number of standard
statistical distributions.
There are four functions associated with each distribution. The first character of each func-
tion name identifies the type of function:
The remainder of the function name identifies the distribution. For example, the functions
for the beta distribution are @cbeta, @dbeta, @qbeta and @rbeta.
When used with series arguments, EViews will evaluate the function for each observation
in the current sample. As with other functions, NA or invalid inputs will yield NA values.
For values outside of the support, the functions will return zero.
Note that the CDFs are assumed to be right-continuous: . The quan-
tile functions will return the smallest value where the CDF evaluated at the value equals or
exceeds the probability of interest: , where . The inequalities are
only relevant for discrete distributions.
The information provided below should be sufficient to identify the meaning of the param-
eters for each distribution. For further details, see the Command and Programming Refer-
ence.
\
@cos(x) cosine (argument in radians)
@sin(x) sine (argument in radians)
@tan(x) tangent (argument in radians)
Function Type Beginning of Name
Cumulative distribution (CDF) @c
Density or probability @d
Quantile (inverse CDF) @q
Random number generator @r
Distribution Functions Density/Probability Function
Beta @cbeta(x,a,b),
@dbeta(x,a,b),
@qbeta(p,a,b),
@rbeta(a,b) for and for , where is
the @beta function.
@cos(3.14159) 1 ~
@sin(3.14159) 0 ~
@tan(1) 1.5574 ~
F
X
k ( ) Pr X k s ( ) =
q
X
p ( ) q
-
= F
X
q
-
( ) p >
f x a b , , ( )
x
a 1
1 x ( )
b 1
B a b , ( )
=
0 p 1 s s a b , 0 > B
Statistical Distribution Functions555
Binomial @cbinom(x,n,p),
@dbinom(x,n,p),
@qbinom(s,n,p),
@rbinom(n,p)
if , and 0 otherwise, for
.
Chi-square @cchisq(x,v),
@dchisq(x,v),
@qchisq(p,v),
@rchisq(v) where , and . Note that the
degrees of freedom parameter need not be
an integer.
Exponential @cexp(x,m),
@dexp(x,m),
@qexp(p,m),
@rexp(m)
for , and .
Extreme Value
(Type I-minimum)
@cextreme(x),
@dextreme(x),
@qextreme(p),
@cloglog(p),
@rextreme
for .
F-distribution @cfdist(x,v1,v2),
@dfdist(x,v1,v2),
@qfdist(p,v1,v2),
@rfdist(v1,v1)
where , and . Note that the
functions allow for fractional degrees of free-
dom parameters and .
Gamma @cgamma(x,b,r),
@dgamma(x,b,r),
@qgamma(p,b,r),
@rgamma(b,r)
where , and .
Generalized Error @cged(x,r),
@dged(x,r),
@qged(p,r),
@rged(r)
where , and .
Pr x n p , , ( )
n
x ' .
|
p
x
1 p ( )
n x
=
x 0 1 . n . , , , , =
0 p 1 s s
f x v , ( )
1
2
v 2
v 2 ( )
x
v 2 1
e
x 2
=
x 0 > v 0 >
v
f x m , ( )
1
m
e
x m
=
x 0 > m 0 >
f x ( ) x e
x
( ) exp =
x < <
f x v
1
v
2
, , ( )
v
1
v
1
2
v
2
v
2
2
B v
1
2 v
2
2 , ( )
x
v
1
2 ( ) 2
v
2
v
1
x + ( )
v
1
v
2
+ ( ) 2
=
x 0 > v
1
v
2
, 0 >
v
1
v
2
f x b r , , ( ) b
r
x
r 1
e
x b
r ( ) =
x 0 > b r 0 > ,
f x r , ( )
r
3
r
' .
|
1 2
2
1
r
' .
|
3 2
x
r
3
r
' .
|
1
r
' .
|
' .
|
|
|
|
r 2
' .
|
|
|
|
exp =
x < < r 0 >
Laplace @claplace(x),
@dlaplace(x),
@qlaplace(x),
@rlaplace
for .
Logistic @clogistic(x),
@dlogistic(x),
@qlogistic(p),
@rlogistic
for .
Log-normal @clognorm(x,m,s),
@dlognorm(x,m,s),
@qlognorm(p,m,s),
@rlognorm(m,s)
, , and .
Negative Binomial @cnegbin(x,n,p),
@dnegbin(x,n,p),
@qnegbin(s,n,p),
@rnegbin(n,p)
.
Normal
(Gaussian)
@cnorm(x),
@dnorm(x),
@qnorm(p),
@rnorm, nrnd
for .
Poisson @cpoisson(x,m),
@dpoisson(x,m),
@qpoisson(p,m),
@rpoisson(m)
.
Pareto @cpareto(x,a,k),
@dpareto(x,a,k),
@qpareto(p,a,k),
@rpareto(a,k)
for , and .
Student's
t-distribution
@ctdist(x,v),
@dtdist(x,v),
@qtdist(p,v),
@rtdist(v)
for , and . Note that
, yields the Cauchy distribution.
f x ( )
1
2
e
x
=
x < <
f x ( )
1
1 e
x
+
e
x
1 e
x
+
= =
x < <
f x m s , , ( )
1
x 2s
2
e
x m log ( )
2
2s
2
( )
=
x 0 > m < < s 0 >
Pr x n p , , ( )
x n + ( )
x 1 + ( ) n ( )
p
n
1 p ( )
x
=
x 0 1 . n . , , , , =
0 x 1 s s
f x ( ) 2 ( )
1 2
e
x
2
2
=
x < <
Pr x m , ( ) m
x
e
m
x! =
x 0 1 . n . , , , , =
m 0 >
f x a k , , ( ) ak
a
( ) x
a 1 +
=
a 0 > 0 k x s s
f x v , ( )

v 1 +
2
' .
|
v ( )
1
2
v
2
' .
|
1
x
2
v
' .
|
+
' .
|
v 1 + ( )
2
=
x < < v 0 >
v 1 =
Statistical Distribution Functions557
Additional Distribution Related Functions
The following utility functions were designed to facilitate the computation of p-values for
common statistical tests. While these results may be derived using the distributional func-
tions above, they are retained for convenience and backward compatibility.
of the Users Guide
Uniform @cunif(x,a,b),
@dunif(x,a,b),
@qunif(p,a,b),
@runif(a,b), rnd
for and .
Weibull @cweib(x,m,a),
@dweib(x,m,a),
@qweib(p,m,a),
@rweib(m,a)
where , and .
Function Distribution Description
@chisq(x,v) Chi-square Returns the probability that a Chi-squared
statistic with degrees of freedom exceeds
:
@chisq(x,v) = 1@cchisq(x,d)
@fdist(x,v1,v2) F-distribution Probability that an F-statistic with
numerator degrees of freedom and
denominator degrees of freedom exceeds
:
@fdist(x,v1,v2) = 1@cfdist(x,v1,v2)
@tdist(x,v) t-distribution Probability that a t-statistic with degrees
of freedom exceeds in absolute value
(two-sided p-value):
@tdist(x,v) = 2*(1@ctdist(x,v))
f x ( )
1
b a
=
a x b < < b a >
f x m a , , ( ) am
a
x
a 1
e
x m ( )
a
=
x < < m a 0 > ,
v
x
v
1
v
2
x
v
x
Appendix E. Workfile Functions
EViews workfile functions provide information about each observation of a workfile based
on information contained in the structure of the workfile.
These functions can be viewed in two ways. First, they are simply virtual series available
within each workfile that can be used wherever a regular series might be used. Alterna-
tively, they may be thought of as special functions that take two additional implicit argu-
ments: the workfile within which the function is being used, and the observation number
within this workfile for which to return a value.
Since workfile functions are based on the structure of a workfile, they may only be used in
operations where a workfile is implicitly involved. They may be used in statements that
generate workfile series, in statements that set the workfile sample, and in expressions
used in estimation. They cannot be used when manipulating scalar variables or vectors
and matrices in EViews programs.
Basic Workfile Information
The @OBSNUM function provides information on basic observation numbering for the
workfile, returning the observation number of the current observation in the workfile:
@OBSNUM: returns the observation number of the current observation in the work-
file.
The observation number starts at one for the first row, and increments by one for each
subsequent row of the workfile.
For example:
series idnum = @obsnum
creates a series IDNUM that contains sequential values from one to the number of observa-
tions in the workfile.
Additional functions provide scalar values associated with the workfile and default work-
file sample:
@ELEM(x, arg): returns the value of the series x at observation or date arg. If the
workfile is undated, arg should be an integer corresponding to the observation ID as
given in @OBSNUM. If the workfile is dated, arg should be a string representation of
a date in the workfile, enclosed in double quotes. Note that @ELEM is not available
in panel structured workfiles.
560Appendix E. Workfile Functions
@OBSRANGE: returns number of observations in the current active workfile range
(0 if no workfile in memory).
@OBSSMPL: returns number of observations in the current active workfile sample
(0 if no workfile in memory).
Dated Workfile Information
Basic Date Functions
There is a set of functions that provides information about the dates in your dated work-
files. The first two functions return the start and end date of the period of time (interval)
associated with the current observation of the workfile:
@DATE: returns the start date of the period of time of the current observation of the
workfile.
@ENDDATE: returns the end date of the period of time associated with the current
observation of the workfile.
Each date is returned in a number using standard EViews date representation (fractional
days since 1st Jan 1AD, see Dates beginning on page 127).
A period is considered to end during the last millisecond contained within the period. In a
regular frequency workfile, each period will end immediately before the start of the next
period. In an irregular workfile there may be gaps between the end of one period and the
start of the following period due to observations that were omitted in the workfile.
The @DATE and @ENDDATE functions can be combined with the EViews date manipula-
tion functions to provide a wide variety of calendar information about a dated workfile.
For example, if we had a monthly workfile containing sales data for a product, we might
expect the total sales that occurred in a given month to be related to the number of busi-
ness days (Mondays to Fridays) that occurred within the month. We could create a new
series in the workfile containing the number of business days in each month by using:
series busdays = @datediff(@date(+1), @date, "B")
If the workfile contained irregular data, we would need to use a more complicated expres-
sion since in this case the we can not assume that the start of the next period occurs imme-
diately after the end of the current period. For a monthly irregular file, we could use:
series busdays = @datediff(@dateadd(@date, 1, "M"), @date, "B")
Similarly, when working with a workfile containing daily share price data, we might be
interested in whether price volatility is different in the days surrounding a holiday for
which the market is closed. We can use the first formula given above to determine the
Dated Workfile Information561
number of business days between adjacent observations in the workfile, then use this
result to create two dummy variables that indicate whether a particular observation is
before or after a holiday day.
series before_holiday = (busdays > 1)
series after_holiday = (busdays(-1) > 1)
We could then use these dummy variables as exogenous regressors in the variance equa-
tion of a GARCH estimation to estimate the impact of holidays on price volatility.
In many cases, you may wish to transform the date numbers returned by @DATE so that
the information is contained in an alternate format. EViews provides workfile functions
that bundle common translations of date numbers to usable information. These functions
include:
@YEAR: returns the four digit year in which the current observation begins. It is
equivalent to @DATEPART(@DATE, "YYYY").
@QUARTER: returns the quarter of the year in which the current observation
begins. It is equivalent to @DATEPART(@DATE, "Q").
@MONTH: returns the month of the year in which the current observation begins. It
is equivalent to @DATEPART(@DATE, "MM").
@DAY: returns the day of the month in which the current observation begins. It is
equivalent to @DATEPART(@DATE, "DD").
@WEEKDAY: returns the day of the week in which the current observation begins,
where Monday is given the number 1 and Sunday is given the number 7. It is equiv-
alent to @DATEPART(@DATE, "W").
mat string fmt. See Date Formats on page 130 for a discussion of date format
strings.
@SEAS(season_number): returns a dummy variable based on the period within the
current year in which the current observation occurs, where the year is divided up
according to the workfile frequency. For example, in a quarterly file, @SEAS(1),
@SEAS(2), @SEAS(3), and @SEAS(4) correspond to the set of dummy vari-
ables for the four quarters of the year. These expressions are equivalent (in the quar-
terly workfile) to @QUARTER=1, @QUARTER=2, @QUARTER=3, and
@QUARTER=4, respectively.
@ISPERIOD(arg): returns a dummy variable for whether the observation is in the
specified period, where arg is a double quoted date or period number. Note that in
dated workfiles, arg is rounded down to the workfile frequency prior to computa-
tion.
Additional information on working with dates is provided in Dates beginning on
page 127.
Trend Functions
One common task in time series analysis is the creation of variables that represent time
trends. EViews provides two distinct functions for this purpose:
@TREND(["base_date"]): returns a time trend that increases by one for each obser-
vation of the workfile. The optional base_date may be provided to indicate the start-
ing date for the trend.
@TRENDC(["base_date"]): returns a calendar time trend that increases based on the
number of calendar periods between successive observations. The optional
base_date may be provided to indicate the starting date for the trend.
The functions @TREND and @TRENDC are used to represent two different types of time
trends that differ in some circumstances.
In a regular frequency workfile, @TREND and @TRENDC both return a simple trend that
increases by one for each observation of the workfile.
In an irregular workfile, @TREND provides an observation trend as before, but @TRENDC
now returns a calendar trend that increases based on the number of calendar periods
between adjacent observations. For example, in a daily irregular file where a Thursday has
been omitted because it was a holiday, the @TRENDC value would increase by two
between the Wednesday before and the Friday after the holiday, while the @TREND will
increase by only one.
Both @TREND and @TRENDC functions may be used with an argument consisting of a
string containing the date at which the trend has the value of zero. If this argument is
omitted, the first observation in the workfile will be given the value of zero.
The decision of which form of time trend is appropriate in a particular context should be
based on what role the time trend is playing in the analysis. When used in estimation, a
time trend is usually used to represent some sort of omitted variable. If the omitted vari-
able is something that continues to increase independently of whether the workfile data is
observed or not, then the appropriate trend would be the calendar trend. If the omitted
variable is something that increases only during periods when the workfile data is
observed, then the appropriate trend would be the observation trend.
An example of the former sort of variable would be where the trend is used to represent
population growth, which continues to increase whether or not, for example, financial
markets are open on a particular day. An example of the second sort of variable might be
some type of learning effect, where learning only occurs when the activity is actually
undertaken.
Panel Workfile Functions563
Note that while these two trends are provided as built in functions, other types of trends
may also be generated based on the calendar data of the workfile. For example, in a file
containing monthly sales data, a trend based on either the number of days in the month or
the number of business days in the month might be more appropriate than a trend that
increments by one for each observation.
These sorts of trends can be readily generated using @DATE and the @DATEDIFF func-
tions. For example, to generate a trend based on the number of days elapsed between the
start date of the current observation and the base date of 1st Jan 2000, we can use:
series daytrend = @datediff(@date, @dateval("1/1/2000"), "d")
When used in a monthly file, this series would provide a trend that adjusts for the fact that
some months contain more days than others.
Note that trends in panel structured workfiles follow special rules. See Panel Trend Func-
tions on page 563 for details.
Panel Workfile Functions
Panel Identifier Functions
Additional information is available in panel structured workfiles. EViews provides workfile
functions that provide information about the cross-section, cell, and observation IDs asso-
ciated with each observation in a panel workfile:
@CROSSID: returns the cross-section index (cross-section number) of the current
workfile observation.
@CELLID: returns the inner dimension index value for the current observation in
the workfile. The index numbers identify the unique values of the inner dimension
observed across all cross-sections. Thus, if the first cross-section has annual observa-
tions for 1990, 1992, 1994, and 1995, and the second cross-section has observations
for 1990, 1995, and 1997, the corresponding @CELLID values will be (1, 2, 3, 4) and
(1, 4, 5), respectively.
@OBSID: returns the observation number within each panel cross section. @OBSID
is similar to @OBSNUM except that it resets to one whenever it crosses the seam
between two adjacent cross sections.
See Identifier Indices on page 862 of the Users Guide for additional discussion.
Panel Trend Functions
Central to the notion of a panel trend is the notion that the trend values are initialized at
the start of a cross-section, increase for successive observations in the specific cross-sec-
tion, and are reset at the start of the next-cross section.
Beyond that, there are several notions of a time trend that may be employed. EViews pro-
vides four different functions that may be used to create a trend series: @OBSID,
@TRENDC, @CELLID, and @TREND.
The @OBSID function may be used to return the simplest notion of a trend in which the
values for each cross-section begin at one and increase by one for successive observations
in the cross-section. To begin your trends at zero, simply use the expression @OBSID-1.
Note that such a trend does not use information about the cell ID values in determining the
value increment.
The calendar trend function, @TRENDC, computes trends in which values for observa-
tions with the earliest observed date are normalized to zero, and successive observations
are incremented based on the calendar for the workfile frequency.
Lastly, @CELLID and @TREND compute trends using the observed dates in the panel:
@CELLID, which returns an index into the unique values of the cell ID, returns a
form of time trend in which the values increase based on the number of cell ID val-
ues between successive observations.
@TREND function is equivalent to @CELLID-1.
In fully balanced workfiles (workfiles with the same set of cell identifier in each cross-sec-
tion), the expressions @OBSID-1, @CELLID-1, and @TREND all return the same
values. Additionally, if the workfile follows a regular frequency, then the @TRENDC func-
tion returns the same values as @TREND.
Note that because of the way they employ information computed across cross-sections,
@TREND and @TRENDC may not take the optional base_date argument in panel struc-
tured workfiles (seeTrend Functions on page 562 ).
Appendix F. String and Date Function Reference
The following is an alphabetical listing of the functions used when working with strings
and dates in EViews.
Syntax: @dateadd(d, offset[, u])
Argument 1: date number, d
Argument 2: number of time units, offset
Argument 3: time unit, u
Return: date number
Returns the date number given by d offset by offset time units as specified by the time unit
string u. If no time unit is specified, EViews will use the workfile regular frequency, if
available.
Example:
Suppose that the value of d is 730088.0 (midnight, December 1, 1999). Then we can add
and subtract 10 days from the date by using the functions
@dateadd(730088.0, 10, "dd")
@dateadd(730088.0, -10, "dd")
which return 730098.0 (December 11, 1999) and (730078.0) (November 21, 1999). Note
that these results could have been obtained by taking the original numeric value plus or
minus 10.
To add 5 weeks to the existing date, simply specify W or WW as the time unit string:
@dateadd(730088.0, 5, "ww")
returns 730123.0 (January 5, 2000).
@dateadd Date Function
566Appendix F. String and Date Function Reference
Syntax: @datediff(d1, d2[, u])
Argument 1: date number, d1
Return: date number
Returns the difference between two date numbers d1 and d2, measured by time units spec-
ified by the time unit string u. If no time unit is specified, EViews will use the workfile reg-
ular frequency, if available.
Example:
Suppose that date1 is 730088.0 (December 1, 1999) and date2 is 729754.0 (January 1,
1999), then,
@datediff(730088.0, 729754.0, "dd")
returns 334 for the number of days between the two dates. Note that this is result is simply
the difference between the two numbers.
The following expressions calculate differences in months and weeks:
@datediff(730088.0, 729754.0, "mm")
@datediff(730088.0, 729754.0, "ww")
return 11 and 47 for the number of months and weeks between the dates.
Syntax: @datefloor(d1, u[, step])
Argument 3: offset, step
Return: date number
Finds the first possible date number associated with d1 in the given time unit u, with an
optional step offset.
Example:
@datediff Date Function
@datefloor Date Function
567
Suppose that date1 is 730110.5 (12 noon, December 23, 1999). Then the @DATEFLOOR
values
@datefloor(730110.5, "dd")
@datefloor(730110.5, "mm")
yield 730110.0 (midnight, December 23, 1999) and 730088.0 (midnight, December 1,
1999).
@datefloor(730098.5, "q")
@datefloor(730110.5, "y", 1)
returns 730027.0 (midnight, October 1, 1999), and 729754.0 (midnight, January 1, 2000).
Syntax: @datepart(d1, u)
Return: number
Returns a numeric part of a date number given by u, where u is a time unit string.
Example:
Consider the d1 date value 730110.5 (noon, December 23, 1999). The @DATEPART values
for
@datepart(730110.5, "dd")
@datepart(730110.5, "w")
@datepart(730110.5, "ww")
@datepart(730110.5, "mm")
@datepart(730110.5, "yy")
are 23 (day of the month), 4 (week in the month), 52 (week in the year), 12 (month in the
year), and 1999 (year), respectively).
Syntax: @datestr(d[, fmt])
Argument 1: date number, d
Argument 2: date format string, fmt
Return: string
@datepart Date Function
@datestr Date Function | String Function
Convert the numeric date value, d, into a string representation of a date, str, using the
optional format string fmt.
Example:
will produce the string 3, representing the weekday number for December 1, 1999. See
Dates on page 127 of the Users Guide for additional details on date numbers and date
format strings. See also @strdate (p. 577).
Syntax: @dateval(str1[, fmt])
Argument 1: string, str1
Argument 2: date format string, fmt
Return: date number
Convert the string representation of a date, str, into a date number using the optional for-
mat string fmt.
Example:
will return the date number for December 1, 1999 (730088) while
will return the date number for January 12, 1999 (729765).
See Dates on page 127 of the Users Guide for additional details on date numbers and
date format strings.
@dateval Date Function | String Function
569
Syntax: @dtoo(str)
Argument: string, str
Return: integer
Date-TO-Observation. Returns the observation number corresponding to the date con-
tained in the string. The observation number is relative to the start of the current workfile
range, not the current sample. Observation numbers may be used to select a particular ele-
ment in a vector that has been converted from a series, provided that NAs are preserved
(see stomna (p. 597)).
Examples:
scalar obnum = @dtoo("1994:01")
vec1(1) = gdp(@dtoo("1955:01")+10)
Suppose that the workfile contains quarterly data. Then the second example places the
1957:02 value of the GDP series in the first element of VEC1.
Note that @DTOO will generate an error if used in a panel structured workfile.
See also @otod (p. 575).
Syntax: @eqna(str1, str2)
Return: integer
Tests for equality of str1 and str2, treating null strings as ordinary blank strings, and not as
missing values. Strings which test as equal return a 1, and 0 otherwise.
Example:
@eqna("abc", "abc")
returns a 1, while
@eqna("", "def")
returns a 0.
@dtoo Date Function | String Function
@eqna String Function
See also @isempty (p. 571) and @neqna (p. 574).
Syntax: @insert(str1, str2, n])
Argument 3: integer, n
Return: string
Inserts the string str2 into the base string str1 at the position given by the integer n.
Example:
@insert("I believe it can be done", "not ", 16)
returns I believe it cannot be done.
See also @replace (p. 575), @instr (p. 570) and @mid (p. 573).
Syntax: @instr(str1, str2[, n])
Return: string
Finds the starting position of the target string str2 in the base string str1. By default, the
function returns the location of the first occurrence of str2 in str1. You may provide an
optional integer n to change the occurrence. If the occurrence of the target string is not
found, @INSTR will return a 0.
Example:
@instr("1.23415", "34")
return the value 4, since the substring 34 appears beginning in the fourth character of
the base string.
See also @mid (p. 573).
@insert String Function
@instr String Function
571
Syntax: @isempty(str)
Return: integer
Tests for whether str is a blank string, returning a 1 if str is a null string, and 0 otherwise.
Example:
@isempty("1.23415")
returns a 0, while
@isempty("")
return the value 1.
See also @len, @length (p. 572).
Syntax: @left(str, n)
Argument 1: string, str
Return: string
Returns a string containing n characters from the left end of str. If the string is shorter than
n characters, this function returns all of the characters in the source string.
Example:
scalar sc1 = @left("I did not do it",5)
returns I did.
See also @right (p. 576), and @mid (p. 573).
@isempty String Function
@left String Function
Syntax: @len(str), @length(str)
Return: integer
Returns an integer value for the length of the string str.
Example:
See also @mid (p. 573).
Syntax: @lower(str)
Return: string
Returns the lowercase representation of the string str.
Example:
@length("I did NOT do it")
returns the string i did not do it.
See also @upper (p. 578).
Syntax: @ltrim(str)
Return: string
Returns the string str with spaces trimmed from the left.
Example:
@len, @length String Function
@lower String Function
@ltrim String Function
573
@ltrim(" I doubt that I did it. ")
returns I doubt that I did it. . Note that the spaces on the right remain.
See also @rtrim (p. 576) and @trim (p. 578).
Syntax: @makedate(arg1[, arg2[,arg3]], fmt])
Argument 1: number, arg1
Argument 2: number(s) arg2, arg3
Argument 3: date format, fmt
Return: date number
Takes the numeric values given by the arguments arg1, and optionally, arg2, etc. and
returns a date number using the required format string, fmt.
Example:
The expressions,
@makedate(1999, "yyyy")
@makedate(99, "yy")
both return the date number 729754.0 corresponding to 12 midnight on January 1, 1999.
@makedate(199003, "yyyymm")
@makedate(1990.3, "yyyy.mm")
@makedate(1031990, "ddmmyyyy")
@makedate(30190, "mmddyy")
all return the value 726526.0, representing March 1, 1990.
See Translating Ordinary Numbers into Date Numbers on page 139 for additional details.
Syntax: @mid(str, n1[, n2])
Argument 2: integer, n1
Return: string
@makedate Date Function
@mid String Function
Returns n2 characters from str, starting at location n1 and continuing to the right. If you
omit n2, it will return all of the remaining characters in the string.
Example:
%1 = @mid("I doubt it", 9, 2)
%2 = @mid("I doubt it", 9)
See also @left (p. 571) and @right (p. 576).
Syntax: @neqna(str1, str2)
Return: integer
Tests for inequality of str1 and str2, treating null strings as ordinary blank strings, and not
as missing values. Strings which test as equal return a 0, and 1 otherwise.
Example:
@neqna("abc", "abc")
returns a 0, while
@eqna("", "def")
returns a 1.
See also @isempty (p. 571) and @eqna (p. 569).
Syntax: @now
Return: date number
Returns the date number associated with the current time.
@neqna String Function
@now Date Function
575
Syntax: @otod(n)
Argument: integer, n
Return: string
Observation-TO-Date. Returns a string containing the date or observation corresponding to
observation number n, counted from the beginning of the current workfile. For example,
consider the string assignment
%1 = @otod(5)
For an annual workfile dated 19912000, %1 will contain the string 1995. For a quarterly
workfile dated 1970:12000:4, %1 will contain the string 1971:1. Note that @otod(1)
returns the date or observation label for the start of the workfile.
See also @dtoo (p. 569).
Syntax: @replace(str1, str2, str3[,n])
Return: string
Returns the base string str1, with the replacement str3 substituted for the target string str2.
By default, all occurrences of str2 will be replaced, but you may provide an optional inte-
ger n to specify the number of occurrences to be replaced.
Example:
@replace("Do you think that you can do it?", "you", "I")
returns the string Do I think that I can do it?, while
@replace("Do you think that you can do it?", "you", "I", 1)
returns Do I think that you can do it?.
See also @insert (p. 570) and @mid (p. 573).
@otod Date Function | String Function
@replace String Function
Syntax: @right(str, n)
Return: same as source
Returns a string containing n characters from the right end of str. If the source is shorter
than n, the entire string is returned. Example:
%1 = @right("I doubt it",8)
returns the string doubt it.
See also @left (p. 571), @mid (p. 573).
Syntax: @rtrim(str)
Return: string
Returns the string str with spaces trimmed from the right.
Example:
returns the string I doubt that I did it.. Note that the spaces on the left remain.
See also @ltrim (p. 572) and @trim (p. 578).
Syntax: @str(d,[fmt])
Argument 1: scalar, d
Argument 2: numeric format string, fmt
Return: string
Returns a string representing the given number. You may provide an optional format string.
@right String Function
@rtrim String Function
@str String Function
577
Example:
%1 = @str(15.23456)
alpha newa = @str(32.56)
See also @val (p. 578).
Syntax: @strdate(fmt)
Argument: date format string, fmt
Return: string corresponding to each element in workfile
Return the set of workfile row dates as strings, using the date format string fmt.
See also @datestr (p. 567) and @strnow (p. 577).
Syntax: @strlen(s)
Argument: string, s
Return: number n
Same as @len, @length (p. 572).
Syntax: @strnow(fmt)
Argument: date format string, fmt
Return: string
Returns a string representation of the current date number (at the moment the function is
evaluated) using the date format string, fmt.
Example:
@strnow("DD/mm/yyyy")
returns the date associated with the current time in string form with 2-digit days, months,
and 4-digit years separated by a slash, 24/12/2003.
See also @strdate (p. 577) and @datestr (p. 567).
@strdate Date Function | String Function
@strlen String Function
@strnow Date Function | String Function
Syntax: @trim(str)
Return: string
Returns the string str with spaces trimmed from the both the left and the right.
Example:
returns the string I doubt that I did it..
See also @ltrim (p. 572) and @rtrim (p. 576).
Syntax: @upper(str)
Return: string
Returns the uppercase representation of the string str.
Example:
returns the string I DID NOT DO IT.
See also @lower (p. 572).
Syntax: @val(str[, fmt])
Argument 2: numeric format string, fmt
Return: scalar
@trim String Function
@upper String Function
@val String Function
579
Returns the number that a string str represents. You may provide an optional numeric for-
mat string fmt. By default, EViews will attempt to interpret the string as a number using
standard formats; if this is not possible, the function returns NA.
Example:
scalar sc1 = @val("17.4648")
scalar sc2 = @val(tab1(3,4))
scalar sc3 = @val("-234.35")
See also @str (p. 576).
Appendix G. Matrix Reference
The following is an alphabetical listing of the functions and commands used when work-
ing with the EViews matrix language. For a description of the EViews matrix language, see
Chapter 3, Matrix Language, on page 23. For a quick summary of these entries, see
Matrix Function and Command Summary on page 44.
Syntax: @cholesky(s)
Argument: sym, s
Return: matrix
Returns a matrix containing the Cholesky factorization of . The Cholesky factorization
finds the lower triangular matrix such that is equal to the symmetric source
matrix. Example:
matrix fact = @cholesky(s1)
matrix orig = fact*@transpose(fact)
Syntax: colplace(m, v, n)
Argument 1: matrix, m
Argument 2: vector, v
Places the column vector v into the matrix m at column n. The number of rows of m and v
must match, and the destination column must already exist within m. Example:
colplace(m1,v1,3)
The third column of M1 will be set equal to the vector V1.
See also rowplace (p. 596).
@cholesky Matrix Algebra Function
colplace Matrix Utility Command
s
L LL'
582Appendix G. Matrix Reference
Syntax: @columnextract(m, n)
Argument 1: matrix or sym, m
Return: vector
Extract a vector from column n of the matrix object m, where m is a matrix or sym. Exam-
ple:
vector v1 = @columnextract(m1,3)
Note that while you may extract the first column of a column vector, or any column of a
row vector, the command is more easily executed using simple element or vector assign-
ment in these cases.
See also @rowextract (p. 595).
Syntax: @columns(o)
Argument: matrix, vector, rowvector, sym, scalar, or series, o
Return: integer
Returns the number of columns in the matrix object o. Example:
scalar sc2 = @columns(m1)
vec1(2) = @columns(s1)
See also @rows (p. 596).
Syntax: @cond(o, n)
Argument 1: matrix or sym, o
Argument 2: (optional) scalar n
Return: scalar
Returns the condition number of a square matrix or sym, o. If no norm is specified, the
infinity norm is used to determine the condition number. The condition number is the
@columnextract Matrix Utility Function
@columns Matrix Utility Function
@cond Matrix Algebra Function
583
product of the norm of the matrix divided by the norm of the inverse. Possible norms are -
1 for the infinity norm, 0 for the Frobenius norm, and an integer n for the norm.
Example:
scalar sc1 = @cond(m1)
mat1(1,4) = @cond(s1,2)
Syntax: @convert(o, smp)
Argument 1: series or group, o
Argument 2: (optional) sample, smp
Return: vector or matrix
If o is a series, @convert returns a vector from the values of o using the optional sample
smp or the current workfile sample. If any observation has the value NA, the observa-
tion will be omitted from the vector. Examples:
vector v2 = @convert(ser1)
vector v3 = @convert(ser2,smp1)
If o is a group, @convert returns a matrix from the values of o using the optional sample
object smp or the current workfile sample. The series in o are placed in the columns of the
resulting matrix in the order they appear in the group spreadsheet. If any of the series for a
given observation has the value NA, the observation will be omitted for all series. For
example:
matrix m1=@convert(grp1)
matrix m2=@convert(grp1, smp1)
For a conversion method that preserves NAs, see stomna (p. 597).
@convert Matrix Utility Function
L
n
Syntax: @cor(v1, v2)
Argument 1: vector, rowvector, or series, v1
Return: scalar
Syntax: @cor(o)
Argument: matrix object or group, o
Return: sym
If used with two vector or series objects, v1 and v2, @cor returns the correlation between
the two vectors or series. Examples:
scalar sc1 = @cor(v1,v2)
s1(1,2) = @cor(v1,r1)
If used with a matrix object or group, o, @cor calculates the correlation matrix between
the columns of the matrix object.
scalar sc2 = @cor(v1,v2)
mat3(4,2) = 100*@cor(r1,v1)
For series and group calculations, EViews will use the current workfile sample. See also
@cov (p. 584).
Syntax: @cov(v1, v2)
Return: scalar
Syntax: @cov(o)
Argument: matrix object or group, o
Return: sym
If used with two vector or series objects, v1 and v2, @cov returns the covariance between
the two vectors or series. Examples:
@cor Matrix Descriptive Statistic
@cov Matrix Descriptive Statistic
585
scalar sc1 = @cov(v1, v2)
s1(1,2) = @cov(v1, r1)
If used with a matrix object or group, o, @cov calculates the covariance matrix between
the columns of the matrix object.
!1 = @cov(v1, v2)
mat3(4,2) = 100*@cov(r1, v1)
For series and group calculations, EViews will use the current workfile sample. See also
@cor (p. 584).
Syntax: @det(m)
Argument: matrix or sym, m
Return: scalar
Calculate the determinant of the square matrix or sym, m. The determinant is nonzero for
a nonsingular matrix and 0 for a singular matrix. Example:
scalar sc1 = @det(m1)
vec4(2) = @det(s2)
See also @rank (p. 594).
Syntax: @eigenvalues(s)
Argument: sym, s
Return: vector
Returns a vector containing the eigenvalues of the sym. The eigenvalues are those scalars
that satisfy where is the sym associated with the argument . Associated
with each eigenvalue is an eigenvector (see @eigenvectors (p. 586)). The eigenvalues
are arranged in ascending order.
Example:
@det Matrix Algebra Function
@eigenvalues Matrix Algebra Function
Sx=x S s
vector v1 = @eigenvalues(s1)
Syntax: @eigenvectors(s)
Argument: sym, s
Return: matrix
Returns a square matrix, of the same dimension as the sym, whose columns are the eigen-
vectors of the source matrix. Each eigenvector v satisfies Sv=nv, where S is the symmetric
matrix given by s, and where n is the eigenvalue associated with the eigenvector v. The
eigenvalues are arranged in ascending order, and the columns of the eigenvector matrix
correspond to the sorted eigenvalues. Example:
matrix m2 = @eigenvectors(s1)
See also the function @eigenvalues (p. 585).
Syntax: @explode(s)
Argument: sym, s
Return: matrix
Creates a square matrix from a sym, s, by duplicating the lower triangle elements into the
upper triangle. Example:
matrix m2 = @explode(s1)
See also @implode (p. 588).
Syntax: @filledmatrix(n1, n2, n3)
Argument 3: scalar, n3
Return: matrix
@eigenvectors Matrix Algebra Function
@explode Matrix Utility Function
@filledmatrix Matrix Utility Function
587
Returns a matrix with n1 rows and n2 columns, where each element contains the value n3.
Example:
matrix m2 = @filledmatrix(3,2,7)
creates a matrix where each element is set to 7. See also fill (p. 282).
Syntax: @filledrowvector(n1, n2)
Return: rowvector
Returns a rowvector of length n1, where each element contains the value n2. Example:
rowvector r1 = @filledrowvector(3,1)
creates a 3 element rowvector where each element is set to 1. See also fill (p. 282).
Syntax: @filledsym(n1, n2)
Return: sym
Returns an sym, where each element contains n2. Example:
sym s2= @filledsym(3,9)
creates a sym where each element is set to 9. See also fill (p. 282).
Syntax: @filledvector(n1, n2)
Return: vector
Returns a vector of length n1, where each element contains the value n2. Example:
@filledrowvector Matrix Utility Function
@filledsym Matrix Utility Function
@filledvector Matrix Utility Function
3 2
n1 n1
3 3
vector r1 = @filledvector(5,6)
creates a 5 element column vector where each element is set to 6. See also fill (p. 282).
Syntax: @getmaindiagonal(m)
Return: vector
Returns a vector created from the main diagonal of the matrix or sym object. Example:
vector v1 = @getmaindiagonal(m1)
vector v2 = @getmaindiagonal(s1)
Syntax: @identity(n)
Argument: integer, n
Return: matrix
Returns a square identity matrix. Example:
matrix i1 = @identity(4)
Syntax: @implode(m)
Argument: square matrix, m
Return: sym
Forms a sym by copying the lower triangle of a square input matrix, m. Where possible,
you should use a sym in place of a matrix to take advantage of computational efficiencies.
Be sure you know what you are doing if the original matrix is not symmetricthis function
does not check for symmetry. Example:
sym s2 = @implode(m1)
See also @explode (p. 586).
@getmaindiagonal Matrix Utility Function
@identity Matrix Utility Function
@implode Matrix Utility Function
n n
589
Syntax: @inner(v1, v2, smp)
Return: scalar
Syntax: @inner(o, smp)
Argument 1: matrix object or group, o
Return: scalar
If used with two vectors, v1 and v2, @inner returns the dot or inner product of the two
vectors. Examples:
scalar sc1 = @inner(v1, v2)
s1(1,2) = @inner(v1, r1)
If used with two series, @inner returns the inner product of the series using observations
in the workfile sample. You may provide an optional sample.
If used with a matrix or sym, o, @inner returns the inner product, or moment matrix, oo.
Each element of the result is the vector inner product of two columns of the source matrix.
The size of the resulting sym is the number of columns in o. Examples:
scalar sc1 = @inner(v1)
sym sym1 = @inner(m1)
If used with a group, @inner returns the uncentered second moment matrix of the data in
the group, g, using the observations in the sample, smp. If no sample is provided, the
workfile sample is used. Examples:
sym s2 = @inner(gr1)
sym s3 = @inner(gr1, smp1)
See also @outer (p. 593).
@inner Matrix Algebra Function
Syntax: @inverse(m)
Argument: square matrix or sym, m
Return: matrix or sym
Returns the inverse of a square matrix object or sym. The inverse has the property that the
product of the source matrix and its inverse is the identity matrix. The inverse of a matrix
returns a matrix, while the inverse of a sym returns a sym. Note that inverting a sym is
much faster than inverting a matrix.
Examples:
matrix m2 = @inverse(m1)
sym s2 = @inverse(s1)
sym s3 = @inverse(@implode(m2))
See @solvesystem (p. 596).
Syntax: @issingular(o)
Argument: matrix or sym, o
Return: integer
Returns 1 if the square matrix or sym, o, is singular, and 0 otherwise. A singular
matrix has a determinant of 0, and cannot be inverted. Example:
scalar sc1 = @issingular(m1)
Syntax: @kronecker(o1, o2)
Argument 1: matrix object, o1
Argument 2: matrix object, o2
Return: matrix
Calculates the Kronecker product of the two matrix objects, o1 and o2. The resulting
matrix has a number of rows equal to the product of the numbers of rows of the two
@inverse Matrix Algebra Function
@issingular Matrix Algebra Function
@kronecker Matrix Algebra Function
591
matrix objects and a number of columns equal to the product of the numbers of columns
of the two matrix objects. The elements of the resulting matrix consist of submatrices con-
sisting of one element of the first matrix object multiplied by the entire second matrix
object. Example:
matrix m3 = @kronecker(m1,m2)
Syntax: @makediagonal(v, k)
Argument 1: vector or rowvector, v
Argument 2: (optional) integer, k
Return: matrix
Creates a square matrix with the specified vector or rowvector, v, in the k-th diagonal rela-
tive to the main diagonal, and zeroes off the diagonal. If no k value is provided or if k is set
to 0, the resulting matrix will have the same number of rows and columns as the length of
v, and will have v in the main diagonal. If a value for k is provided, the matrix has the
same number of rows and columns as the number of elements in the vector plus k, and
will place v in the diagonal offset from the main by k.
Examples:
matrix m1 = @makediagonal(v1)
matrix m2 = @makediagonal(v1,1)
matrix m4 = @makediagonal(r1,-3)
M1 will contain V1 in the main diagonal; M2 will contain V1 in the diagonal immediately
above the main diagonal; M4 will contain R1 in the diagonal 3 positions below the main
diagonal. Using the optional k parameter may be useful in creating covariance matrices for
AR models. For example, you can create an AR(1) correlation matrix by issuing the com-
mands:
matrix(10,10) m1
vector(9) rho = .3
m1 = @makediagonal(rho,-1) + @makediagonal(rho,+1)
m1 = m1 + @identity(10)
@makediagonal Matrix Utility Function
Syntax: matplace(m1, m2, n1, n2)
Argument 1: matrix, m1
Argument 2: matrix, m2
Places the matrix object m2 into m1 at row n1 and column n2. The sizes of the two matri-
ces do not matter, as long as m1 is large enough to contain all of m2 with the upper left
cell of m2 placed at row n1 and column n2.
Example:
matrix(100,5) m1
matrix(100,2) m2
matplace(m1,m2,1,1)
Convert matrix to a series or group. Fills a series or group with the data from a vector or
matrix.
Syntax
Vector Proc: mtos(vector, series[, sample])
Matrix Proc: mtos(matrix, group[, sample])
Matrix-TO-Series Object. Include the vector or matrix name in parentheses, followed by a
comma and then the series or group name. The number of included observations in the
sample must match the row size of the matrix to be converted. If no sample is provided,
the matrix is written into the series using the current workfile sample. Example:
mtos(mom,gr1)
converts the first column of the matrix MOM to the first series in the group GR1, the sec-
ond column of MOM to the second series in GR1, and so on. The current workfile sample
length must match the row length of the matrix MOM. If GR1 is an existing group object,
the number of series in GR1 must match the number of columns of MOM. If a group object
named GR1 does not exist, EViews creates GR1 with the first series named SER1, the sec-
ond series named SER2, and so on.
matplace Matrix Utility Command
mtos Matrix Utility Command
593
series col1
series col2
group g1 col1 col2
sample s1 1951 1990
mtos(m1,g1,s1)
The first two lines declare series objects, the third line declares a group object, the fourth
line declares a sample object, and the fifth line converts the columns of the matrix M1 to
series in group G1 using sample S1. This command will generate an error if M1 is not a
matrix.
Cross-references
See Chapter 3, Matrix Language, on page 23 for further discussions and examples of
matrices.
See also stom (p. 597) and stomna (p. 597).
Syntax: @norm(o, n)
Argument 1: matrix, vector, rowvector, sym, scalar, or series, o
Argument 2: (optional) integer, n
Return: scalar
Returns the value of the norm of any matrix object, o. Possible choices for the norm type n
include 1 for the infinity norm, 0 for the Frobenius norm, and an integer n for the
norm. If no norm type is provided, this function returns the infinity norm.
Examples:
scalar sc1 = @norm(m1)
scalar sc2 = @norm(v1,1)
Syntax: @outer(v1, v2)
Return: matrix
@norm Matrix Algebra Function
@outer Matrix Algebra Function
40 2
L
n
Calculates the cross product of v1 and v2. Vectors may be either row or column vectors.
The outer product is the product of v1 (treated as a column vector) and v2 (treated as a
row vector), and is a square matrix of every possible product of the elements of the two
inputs. Example:
matrix m1=@outer(v1,v2)
matrix m4=@outer(r1,r2)
See also @inner (p. 589).
Syntax: @permute(m1)
Input: matrix m1
Return: matrix
This function returns a matrix whose rows are randomly drawn without replacement from
rows of the input matrix m1. The output matrix has the same size as the input matrix.
matrix xp = @permute(x)
To draw with replacement from rows of a matrix, use @resample (p. 595).
Syntax: @rank(o, n)
Argument 1: vector, rowvector, matrix, sym, or series, o
Argument 2: (optional) integer, n
Return: integer
Returns the rank of the matrix object o. The rank is calculated by counting the number of
singular values of the matrix which are smaller in absolute value than the tolerance, which
is given by the argument n. If n is not provided, EViews uses the value given by the largest
dimension of the matrix multiplied by the norm of the matrix multiplied by machine epsi-
lon (the smallest representable number).
scalar rank1 = @rank(m1)
scalar rank2 = @rank(s1)
See also @svd (p. 599).
@permute Matrix Utility Function
@rank Matrix Algebra Function
595
Syntax: @resample(m1, n2, n3, v4)
Input 1: matrix m1
Input 2: (optional) integer n2
Input 3: (optional) positive integer n3
Input 4: (optional) vector v4
Output: matrix
This function returns a matrix whose rows are randomly drawn with replacement from
rows of the input matrix.
represents the number of extra rows to be drawn from the matrix. If the input matrix
has r rows and c columns, the output matrix will have rows and columns. By
default, .
represents the block size for the resample procedure. If you specify , then
blocks of consecutive rows of length will be drawn with replacement from the first
rows of the input matrix.
You may provide a name for the vector to be used for weighted resampling. The
weighting vector must have length and all elements must be non-missing and non-nega-
tive. If you provide a weighting vector, each row of the input matrix will be drawn with
probability proportional to the weights in the corresponding row of the weighting vector.
(The weights need not sum to 1. EViews will automatically normalize the weights).
matrix xb = @bootstrap(x)
To draw without replacement from rows of a matrix, use @permute (p. 594).
Syntax: @rowextract(m, n)
Argument 1: matrix or sym, m
Return: rowvector
Extracts a rowvector from row n of the matrix object m. Example:
@resample Matrix Utility Function
@rowextract
Matrix Utility Function
n2
r n2 + c
n2=0
n3 n3 1 >
n3
r n3 1 +
v4
r
rowvector r1 = @rowextract(m1,3)
See also @columnextract (p. 582).
Syntax: rowplace(m, r, n)
Argument 1: matrix, m
Argument 2: rowvector, r
Argument 3: integer
Places the rowvector r into the matrix m at row n. The number of columns in m and r must
match, and row n must exist within m. Example:
rowplace(m1,r1,4)
See also colplace (p. 581).
Syntax: @rows(o)
Argument: matrix, vector, rowvector, sym, series, or group, o
Return: scalar
Returns the number of rows in the matrix object, o.
Example:
scalar sc1=@rows(m1)
scalar size=@rows(m1)*@columns(m1)
For series and groups @rows (p. 596) returns the number of observations in the workfile
range. See also @columns (p. 582).
Syntax: @solvesystem(o, v)
Argument 1: matrix or sym, o
Argument 2: vector, v
Return: vector
rowplace Matrix Utility Command
@rows Matrix Utility Function
@solvesystem Matrix Algebra Function
597
Returns the vector x that solves the equation where the matrix or sym is
given by the argument o. Example:
vector v2 = @solvesystem(m1,v1)
See also @inverse (p. 590).
Syntax: stom(o1, o2, smp)
Argument 1: series or group, o1
Argument 2: vector or matrix, o2
Argument 3: (optional) sample smp
Series-TO-Matrix Object. If o1 is a series, stom fills the vector o2 with data from the o1
using the optional sample object smp or the workfile sample. o2 will be resized accord-
ingly. If any observation has the value NA, the observation will be omitted from the vec-
tor. Example:
stom(ser1,v1)
stom(ser1,v2,smp1)
If o1 is a group, stom fills the matrix o2 with data from o1 using the optional sample object
smp or the workfile sample. o2 will be resized accordingly. The series in o1 are placed in
the columns of o2 in the order they appear in the group spreadsheet. If any of the series in
the group has the value NA for a given observation, the observation will be omitted for
all series. Example:
stom(grp1,m1)
stom(grp1,m2,smp1)
For a conversion method that preserves NAs, see stomna (p. 597).
Syntax: stomna(o1, o2, smp)
Argument 1: series or group, o1
Argument 2: vector or matrix, o2
Argument 3: (optional) sample smp
stom Matrix Utility Command
stomna Matrix Utility Command
Mx p = M
Series-TO-Matrix Object with NAs. If o1 is a series, stom fills the vector o2 with data from
o1 using the optional sample object smp or the workfile sample. o2 will be resized accord-
ingly. All NA values in the series will be assigned to the corresponding vector elements.
Example:
stom(ser1,v1)
stom(ser1,v2,smp1)
If o1 is a group, stom fills the matrix o2 with data from o1 using the optional sample object
smp or the workfile sample. o2 will be resized accordingly. The series in o1 are placed in
the columns of o2 in the order they appear in the group spreadsheet. All NAs will be
assigned to the corresponding matrix elements. Example:
stomna(grp1,m1)
stomna(grp1,m2,smp1)
For conversion methods that automatically remove observations with NAs, see @convert
(p. 583) and stom (p. 597).
Syntax: @subextract(o, n1, n2, n3, n4)
Argument 1: vector, rowvector, matrix or sym, o
Argument 4: (optional) integer, n3
Argument 5: (optional) integer, n4
Return: matrix
Returns a submatrix of a specified matrix, o. n1 is the row and n2 is the column of the
upper left element to be extracted. The optional arguments n3 and n4 provide the row and
column location of the lower right corner of the matrix. Unless n3 and n4 are provided this
function returns a matrix containing all of the elements below and to the right of the start-
ing element.
Examples:
matrix m2 = @subextract(m1,5,9,6,11)
matrix m2 = @subextract(m1,5,9)
@subextract Matrix Utility Function
599
Syntax: @svd(m1, v1, m2)
Argument 1: matrix or sym, m1
Argument 2: vector, v1
Argument 3: matrix or sym, m2
Return: matrix
Performs a singular value decomposition of the matrix m1. The matrix is returned by
the function, the vector v1 will be filled (resized if necessary) with the singular values and
the matrix m2 will be assigned (resized if necessary) the other matrix, , of the decompo-
sition. The singular value decomposition satisfies:
(G.1)
where is a diagonal matrix with the singular values along the diagonal. Singular values
close to zero indicate that the matrix may not be of full rank. See the @rank (p. 594) func-
tion for a related discussion.
Examples:
matrix m2
vector v1
matrix m3 = @svd(m1,v1,m2)
Syntax: @trace(m)
Return: scalar
Returns the trace (the sum of the diagonal elements) of a square matrix or sym, m. Exam-
ple:
@svd Matrix Algebra Function
@trace Matrix Algebra Function
U
V
m1 UWV' =
U' U V'V I = =
W
scalar sc1 = @trace(m1)
Syntax: @transpose(o)
Argument: matrix, vector, rowvector, or sym, o
Return: matrix, rowvector, vector, or sym
Forms the transpose of a matrix object, o. o may be a vector, rowvector, matrix, or a sym.
The result is a matrix object with a number of rows equal to the number of columns in the
original matrix and number of columns equal to the number of rows in the original matrix.
This function is an identity function for a sym, since a sym by definition is equal to its
transpose. Example:
matrix m2 = @transpose(m1)
rowvector r2 = @transpose(v1)
Syntax: @unitvector(n1, n2)
Return: vector
Creates an n1 element vector with a 1 in the n2-th element, and 0 elsewhere. Example:
vec v1 = @unitvector(8, 5)
creates an 8 element vector with a 1 in the fifth element and 0 for the other 7 ele-
ments. Note: if you wish to create an n1 element vector of ones, you should use a declara-
tion statement of the form:
vector(n1) v1=1
Syntax: @vec(o)
Argument: matrix, sym, o
Return: vector
@transpose Matrix Algebra Function
@unitvector Matrix Utility Function
@vec Matrix Utility Function
601
Creates a vector from the columns of the given matrix stacked one on top of each other.
The vector will have the same number of elements as the source matrix.
Example:
vector v1 = @vec(m1)
Syntax: @vech(o)
Argument: matrix, sym, o
Return: vector
Creates a vector from the columns of the lower triangle of the source square matrix o
stacked on top of each another. The vector has the same number of elements as the source
matrix has in its lower triangle. Example:
vector v1 = @vech(m1)
@vech Matrix Utility Function
Appendix H. Programming Language Reference
The following reference is an alphabetical listing of the program statements and support
functions used by the EViews programming language.
For details on the EViews programming language, see Chapter 6, EViews Programming,
on page 83. For a quick summary of these entries, see Programming Summary on
page 115.
Call a subroutine within a program.
The call statement is used to call a subroutine within a program.
Cross-references
See Calling Subroutines on page 110. See also subroutine (p. 611), endsub (p. 604).
Syntax: @date
Return: string
Returns a string containing the current date in mm/dd/yy format.
Examples
%y = @date
assigns a string of the form 10/10/00.
Cross-references
See also @time (p. 612).
call Program Statement
@date Support Function
604Appendix H. Programming Language Reference
ELSE clause of IF statement in a program.
Starts a sequence of commands to be executed when the IF condition is false. The else
keyword must be terminated with an endif.
Syntax
if [condition] then
[commands to be executed if condition is true]
else
[commands to be executed if condition is false]
endif
Cross-references
See IF Statements on page 99. See also, if (p. 606), endif (p. 604), then (p. 612).
End of IF statement. Marks the end of an IF, or an IF-ELSE statement.
Syntax
if [condition] then
[commands if condition true]
endif
Cross-references
See IF Statements on page 99. See also, if (p. 606), else (p. 604), then (p. 612).
Mark the end of a subroutine.
Syntax
subroutine name(arguments)
commands
else Program Statement
endif Program Statement
endsub Program Statement
605
endsub
Cross-references
See Defining Subroutines beginning on page 108. See also, subroutine (p. 611),
return (p. 609).
Syntax: @errorcount
Argument: none
Return: integer
Number of errors encountered. Returns a scalar containing the number of errors encoun-
tered during program execution.
Syntax: @evpath
Return: string
Returns a string containing the directory path for the EViews executable.
Examples
If your currently executing copy of EViews is installed in D:\EVIEWS, then
%y = @evpath
assigns a string of the form D:\EVIEWS.
Cross-references
See also cd (p. 229) and @temppath (p. 611).
Exit from current loop in programs.
exitloop causes the program to break out of the current FOR or WHILE loop.
Syntax
Command: exitloop
@errorcount Support Function
@evpath Support Function
exitloop Program Statement
Examples
for !i=1 to 107
if !i>6 then exitloop
next
Cross-references
See The FOR Loop on page 101. See also, stop (p. 611), return (p. 609), for (p. 606),
next (p. 607), step (p. 610).
FOR loop in a program.
The for statement is the beginning of a FOR...NEXT loop in a program.
Syntax
for counter=start to end [step stepsize]
[commands]
next
Cross-references
See The FOR Loop on page 101. See also, exitloop (p. 605), next (p. 607), step
(p. 610).
IF statement in a program.
The if statement marks the beginning of a condition and commands to be executed if the
statement is true. The statement must be terminated with the beginning of an ELSE clause,
or an endif.
Syntax
if [condition] then
endif
for Program Statement
if Program Statement
607
Cross-references
See IF Statements on page 99. See also else (p. 604), endif (p. 604), then (p. 612).
Include another file in a program.
The include statement is used to include the contents of another file in a program file.
Syntax
include filename
Cross-references
See Multiple Program Files on page 107. See also call (p. 603).
Syntax: @isobject(str)
Return: integer
Check for an objects existence. Returns a 1 if the object exists in the current workfile,
and a 0 if it does not exist.
End of FOR loop. next marks the end of a FOR loop in a program.
Syntax
for [conditions of the FOR loop]
[commands]
next
Cross-references
See The FOR Loop beginning on page 101. See also, exitloop (p. 605), for (p. 606),
step (p. 610).
include Program Statement
@isobject Support Function
next Program Statement
Open a file. Opens a workfile, database, program file, or ASCII text file.
See open (p. 356).
Redirects printer output or display estimation output.
See output (p. 361).
Turn off automatic printing in programs.
poff turns off automatic printing of all output. In programs, poff is used in conjunction
with pon to control automatic printing; these commands have no effect in interactive use.
Syntax
Command: poff
Cross-references
See Print Setup on page 919 for a discussion of printer control.
See also pon (p. 608).
Turn on automatic printing in programs.
pon instructs EViews to send all statistical and data display output to the printer (or the
redirected printer destination; see output (p. 361)). It is equivalent to including the p
option in all commands that generate output. pon and poff only work in programs; they
have no effect in interactive use.
Syntax
Command: pon
open Command
output Command
poff Program Statement
pon Program Statement
609
Cross-references
See Print Setup on page 919 of the Users Guide for a discussion of printer control.
See also poff (p. 608).
Create a program.
See program (p. 389).
Exit subroutine.
The return statement forces an exit from a subroutine within a program. A common use
of return is to exit from the subroutine if an unanticipated error has occurred.
Syntax
if [condition] then
return
endif
Cross-references
See Subroutines beginning on page 108. See also exitloop (p. 605), stop (p. 611).
Run a program. The run command executes a program. The program may be located in
memory or stored in a program file on disk.
See run (p. 405).
Send a text message to the EViews status line.
Syntax
statusline string
program Command
return Program Statement
run Command
statusline Command
Example
for !i = 1 to 10
statusline Iteration !i
next
Step size of a FOR loop.
Syntax
for !i=a to b step n
[commands]
next
step may be used in a FOR loop to specify the size of the step in the looping variable. If
no step is provided, for assumes a step of +1.
If a given step exceeds the end value b in the FOR loop specification, the contents of the
loop will not be executed.
Examples
for !j=5 to 1 step -1
series x = nrnd*!j
next
repeatedly executes the commands in the loop with the control variable !J set to 5, 4,
3, 2, 1.
for !j=0 to 10 step 3
series z = z/!j
next
Loops the commands with the control variable !J set to 0, 3, 6, and 9.
You should take care when using non-integer values for the stepsize since round-off error
may yield unanticipated results. For example:
for !j=0 to 1 step .01
series w = !j
next
may stop before executing the loop for the value !J=1 due to round-off error.
step Program Statement
611
Cross-references
See The FOR Loop beginning on page 101. See also exitloop (p. 605), for (p. 606),
next (p. 607).
Break out of program.
The stop command halts execution of a program. It has the same effect as hitting the F1
(break) key.
Syntax
Command: stop
Cross-references
See also, exitloop (p. 605), return (p. 609).
Declare a subroutine within a program.
The subroutine statement marks the start of a subroutine.
Syntax
subroutine name(arguments)
[commands]
endsub
Cross-references
See Subroutines beginning on page 108. See also endsub (p. 604).
Syntax: @temppath
Return: string
Returns a string containing the directory path for the EViews temporary files as specified in
the global options File Locations.... menu.
stop Program Statement
subroutine Program Statement
@temppath Support Function
Examples
If your currently executing copy of EViews puts temporary files in D:\EVIEWS, then:
%y = @temppath
assigns a string of the form D:\EVIEWS.
Cross-references
See also cd (p. 229) and @evpath (p. 605).
Part of IF statement.
then marks the beginning of commands to be executed if the condition given in the IF
statement is satisfied.
Syntax
if [condition] then
endif
Cross-references
See IF Statements on page 99. See also, else (p. 604), endif (p. 604), if (p. 606).
Syntax: @time
Return: string
Returns a string containing the current time in hh:mm format.
Examples
%y = @time
assigns a string of the form 15:35.
Cross-references
See also @date (p. 603).
then Program Statement
@time Support Function
613
Upper limit of for loop OR lag range specifier.
to is required in the specification of a FOR loop to specify the upper limit of the control
variable; see The FOR Loop on page 101.
When used as a lag specifier, to may be used to specify a range of lags to be used in esti-
mation.
Syntax
Used in a FOR loop:
for !i=n to m
[commands]
next
Used as a Lag specifier:
series_name(n to m)
Examples
ls cs c gdp(0 to -12)
Runs an OLS regression of CS on a constant, and the variables GDP, GDP(1), GDP(2), ,
GDP(11), GDP(12).
Cross-references
See The FOR Loop beginning on page 101. See also, exitloop (p. 605), for (p. 606),
next (p. 607).
Syntax: @toc
Return: integer
Compute elapsed time (since timer reset) in seconds.
Examples
tic
[some commands]
!elapsed = @toc
to Expression || Program Statement
@toc Support Function
resets the timer, executes commands, and saves the elapsed time in the control variable
!ELAPSED.
Cross-references
See also tic (p. 482) and toc (p. 483).
End of WHILE clause.
wend marks the end of a set of program commands that are executed under the control of
a WHILE statement.
Syntax
while [condition]
[commands while condition true]
wend
Cross-references
See The WHILE Loop on page 104. See also while (p. 614).
Conditional control statement. The while statement marks the beginning of a WHILE
loop.
The commands between the while keyword and the wend keyword will be executed
repeatedly until the condition in the while statement is false.
Syntax
while [condition]
[commands while condition true]
wend
Cross-references
See The WHILE Loop on page 104. See also wend (p. 614).
wend Program Statement
while Program Statement
Index
Symbols
! (exclamation) control variable 88
% (percent sign)
program arguments 96, 97
string variable 89
* (asterisk) multiplication 35
+ (plus)
addition 35
/ (slash) division 36
@abs 545
@all 450
@beta 551
@betainc 551
@betaincder 551
@betaincinv 551
@betalog 551
@binom 551
@binomlog 552
@ceiling 545
@cellid 563
@cholesky 581
@cloglog 552
@columnextract 582
@columns 582
@cond 582
@convert 583
@cor 548, 584
@cov 548, 584
@crossid 563
@date 146, 560, 603
@dateadd 144, 565
@datediff 144, 566
@datefloor 144, 566
@datepart 145, 567
@datestr 139, 567
@dateval 123, 138, 568
@day 146, 561
@det 585
@digamma 552
@dtoc 569
@eigenvalues 585
@eigenvectors 586
@elem 559
@enddate 560
@eqna 122, 545, 569
@erf 552
@erfc 552
@errorcount 605
@evpath 605
@exp 545
@expand 535
@explode 586
@fact 545
@factlog 545
@filledmatrix 586
@filledrowvector 587
@filledsym 587
@filledvector 587
@first 450
@firstmax 450
@firstmin 450
@floor 545
@-functions
by-group statistics 549
descriptive statistics 547
integrals and other special functions 550
mathematical functions 545
special p-value functions 557
statistical distribution functions 554
time series functions 546
trigonometric functions 553
@gamma 552
@gammader 552
@gammainc 552
@gammaincder 553
@gammaincinv 553
@gammalog 553
@getmaindiagonal 588
@groupid 550
@identity 588
@implode 588
616 Index
@inner 548, 589
@insert 124, 570
@instr 122, 570
@inv 545
@inverse 590
@isempty 122, 571
@isna 545
@isobject 607
@isperiod 561
@issingular 590
@kronecker 590
@kurtsby 550
@last 450
@lastmax 450
@lastmin 450
@left 123, 571, 576
@length 122, 572
@log 545
@log10 545
@logit 553
@logx 546
@lower 125, 572
@ltrim 124, 572
@makedate 140, 573
@makediagonal 591
@max 548
@maxsby 549
@meansby 549
@median 548
@mediansby 549
@mid 124, 573
@min 548
@minsby 549
@mod 545
@month 146, 561
@movav 546
@movsum 546
@nan 546
@nasby 550
@neqna 123, 545, 574
@ngroups 550
@norm 593
@now 145, 574
@obs 548
@obsby 549
@obsid 563
@obsnum 559
@obsrange 560
@obssmpl 560
@otod 126, 575
@outer 593
@pca 547
@pch 547
@pcha 547
@pchy 547
@pcy 547
@permute 594
@psi 552
@quantile 549
@quantilesby 550
@quarter 146, 561
@rank 594
@recode 546
@replace 124, 575
@resample 595
@right 123
@round 546
@rowextract 595
@rows 596
@rtrim 124, 576
@seas 561
@skewsby 550
@solvesystem 596
@sqrt 546
@stdev 549
@stdevsby 549
@str 125, 576
@strdate 126, 146, 561, 577
@strlen 577
@strnow 126, 577
@subextract 598
@sum 549
@sumsby 549
@sumsq 549
@sumsqsby 549
@svd 599
@temppath 611
@time 612
A617
@toc 613
@trace 599
@transpose 600
@trend 562, 564
@trend in panel 564
@trendc 562, 564
@trigamma 553
@trim 124, 578
@unitvector 600
@upper 125, 578
@val 122, 578
@var 549
@varsby 549
@vec 600
@vech 601
@weekday 146, 561
@year 146, 561
_ (continuation character) 84
(dash)
negation 34
subtraction 35
Numerics
2sls (Two-Stage Least Squares) 487
3sls (Three-stage least squares) 194
A
abs 545
add 196
Add factor
initialization 197
Add text to graph 199
addassign 196
addinit 197
Addition operator (+) 35
addtext 199
align 200
Align multiple graphs 200
Alpha 152
data members 152
declare 201
element functions 152
procs 152
views 152
alpha 201
And 544
Anderson-Darling test 272
Andrews test 479
append 202
Append specification line 202
AR
autoregressive error 535
inverse roots of polynomial 212
seasonal 541
ar 535
Arc cosine 553
Arc sine 553
Arc tangent 553
ARCH
residual LM test for ARCH 206
see also GARCH. 203
archtest 206
area 207
Area graph 207
Arguments
in programs 97
in subroutines 109
arlm 209
ARMA
structure view 210
arroots 212
ASCII file
open as workfile 504
Assign values to matrix objects 24
by element 24
converting series or group 30
copy 27
copy submatrix 29
fill procedure 25
Augmented Dickey-Fuller test 494
auto 212
Autocorrelation
compute and display 246
multivariate VAR residual test 390
Autogressive error. See AR.
Autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity
See ARCH and GARCH.
Autowrap text 83
Auxiliary commands 10
summary 16
Axis
618 Index
rename label 354
set axis characteristics 213
set scaling in graph 410
axis 213
B
Background color 429
Band-pass filter 223
Bar graph 215
Batch mode
See Program.
Batch mode for program 86
Baxter-King band-pass filter 223
BDS test 217
bdstest 217
Beta
distribution 554
integral 551
integral, logarithm of 551
Binary
dependent variables 217
model prediction table 387
binary 217
Binary file 504
Binomial
coefficient function 551
coefficients, logarithm of 552
distribution 555
block 219
Bootstrap rows of matrix 595
Boxplot 219, 221
customize 226
customize individual elements 421
bplabel 226
Breusch-Godfrey test
See also Serial correlation.
By-group statistics 549
C
call 603
Call subroutine 110
Causality test 228
cause 228
ccopy 229
cd 229
cdfplot 230
Cell
background color 429
borders 440
display format 432
font selection 431
height 436
indentation 437
justification 438
merging multiple 441
set text color 443
width 444
censored 233
Censored dependent variable models 233
cfetch 234
Change default directory 229, 235
checkderivs 235
Chi-square distribution 555
Cholesky factor
function to compute 581
chow 236
Chow test 236
Christiano-Fitzgerald band-pass filter 223
clabel 237
cleartext 237
Close
EViews application 279
window 238
close 238
Coef 153
data members 154
declare 238
fill values 282
procs 154
views 153
coef 238
coefcov 239
Coefficient
covariance matrix of estimates 239
See Coef.
update default coef vector 493
coint 240
Cointegration
make cointegrating relations from VEC 334
test 240
colplace 581
D619
Column
extract from matrix 582
number of columns in matrix 582
place in matrix 581
stack matrix 600
stack matrix (lower triangle) 601
width 50, 423, 444
Commands
auxiliary 10, 16
basic command summary 16
batch mode 2
execute without opening window 267
interactive mode 1
object assignment 9
object command 6
object declaration 5, 9
save record of 2
window 1
comment 242
Comments in tables 242
Comparison operators 36
Complementary log-log function 552
Condition number of matrix 582
Conditional standard deviation
display graph of 295
Conditional variance
make series from ARCH 336
Confidence ellipse 231
Container 11
database 12
workfile 11
Continuation character in programs 84
control 243
Control variable 88
as replacement variable 92
in while statement 105
save value to scalar 88
Convert
date to observation number 569
matrix object to series or group 592
matrix objects 30, 42, 583
matrix to sym 588
observation number to date 126, 575
scalar to string 576
series or group to matrix (drop NAs) 597
series or group to matrix (keep NAs) 597
string to scalar 90, 122, 578
sym to matrix 586
Coordinates
for legend in graph 319
Copy
database 255
objects 13, 244
workfile page 367
cor 246
correl 246
Correlation 548, 584
cross 251
matrix 246
Correlogram 246, 251
squared residuals 247
correlsq 247
Cosine 554
count 248
Count models 248
cov 250
Covariance 548, 584
matrix 250
Cramer-von Mises test 272
Create
database 255
workfile 503
workfile page 369
cross 251
Cross correlations 251
Cross product 593
Cross section member
add to pool 196
define list of 262
Current date function 603
Current time function 612
CUSUM test 401
of squares 401
D
Data
enter from keyboard 252
data 252
Data members
alpha series 152
coef 154
equation 157
group 162
620 Index
matrix 167
pool 171
rowvector 173
series 176
sspace 178
sym 182
system 183
table 186
var 189
vector 191
Database
copy 13, 255
create 12, 255
delete 13, 256
fetch 279
Haver Analytics 305, 306, 309
open 13
open existing 257
open or create 254
pack 258
rebuild 258
rename 13, 259
repair 260
store object in 465
Date
arithmetic 565, 566, 573
current date 574
extract portion of date 567
Dated data table 270, 339
datelabel 252
Dates
arithmetic 144
convert from observation number 126, 575
convert string to date 568
convert to observation number 569
converting from numbers 140
current as string 577
current date and time 145
current date as a string 126
date arithmetic 144
date associated with observation 146
date numbers 130
date operators 143
date strings 128
extract portion of 145
format strings 130
rounding 144
string representation 568
string representations 123, 128, 138
strings representations 567
two-digit years 135, 148
workfile dates as strings 126, 146, 561, 577
dates 254
db 254
dbcopy 255
dbcreate 255
dbdelete 256
dbopen 257
dbpack 258
dbrebuild 258
dbrename 259
dbrepair 260
Declare
matrix 23
object 5, 9
decomp 260
define 262
Delete
database 256
object 15
objects or pool identifiers 263
workfile page 371
delete 263
Derivatives
examine derivs of specification 264
make series or group containing 335
derivs 264
describe 265
Descriptive statistics 462, 549
@-functions 547, 549
by category of dependent variable 350
by classification 457
make series 347
matrix functions 45
pool 265
Determinant 585
Diagonal matrix 591
Dickey-Fuller test 494
Difference 546
Directory
change working 229, 235
EViews executable 605
Display
action 6
E621
and print 8
objects 445
spreadsheet tables 444
displayname 266
Distribution function
empirical cumulative, survivor and quantiles
230
Quantile-quantile plot 389
Division operator (/) 36
do 267
Double exponential smoothing 447
draw 267
Draw lines in graph 267
DRI database
convert to EViews database 269
copy from 229
fetch series 234
read series description 237
driconvert 269
Drop
group series or cross-section from pool defini-
tion 270
drop 270
dtable 270
Dummy variables
automatic creation 535
Durbin's h 108
Dynamic forecast 287
E
ec 271
edftest 272
Eigenvalues 585
Eigenvectors 586
Elapsed time 483, 613
Element
assign in matrix 24
matrix functions 45
else 604
Else clause in if statement 100, 604
Empirical distribution functions 230
Empirical distribution test 272
Empty string 571
endif 604
endog 274
Endogenous variables
make series or group 335
of specification 274
endsub 604
eqs 275
equals comparison 36
Equation 155
data members 157
declare 275
methods 155
procs 156
views 155
equation 275
errbar 276
Error bar graph 276
Error correction model
See VEC and VAR.Vector error correction model
Error function 552
complementary 552
Errors
count in programs 605
handling in programs 106
Estimation methods
(single) equation 155
2sls 487
3sls 194
least squares 329
nonlinear least squares 329
system (of equations) 182
VAR 188
Eulers constant 552
Excel file 504
export data to file 517
importing data into workfile 391
exclude 278
Exclude variables from model solution 278
Execute program 84
abort 86
quiet mode 85
verbose mode 85
with arguments 96, 97
Exit
from EViews 279
loop 107, 605
subroutine 609
exit 279
exitloop 605
622 Index
exp 545
expand 279
Expand workfile 279
Exponential
distribution 555
function 545
Exponential smoothing 447
Export
matrix 41
workfile data to file 517
workfile page 373
Extract
row vector 595
submatrix from matrix 598
Extreme value distribution 555
F
Factorial 545
F-distribution 555
fetch 279
Fetch object 16, 279
Files
open program or text file 356
temporary location 611
Fill
matrix 25
object 282
row vector 587
symmetric matrix 587
vector 587
fill 282
Filled
matrix 586
fiml 284
fit 285
Font selection 431
for 606
For loop
accessing elements of a series 102
accessing elements of a vector 102
changing samples within 101
define using control variables 101
define using scalars 103
define using string variables 103
exit loop 107
mark end 607
nesting 102
roundoff error in 610
start loop 606
step size 610
upper limit 613
Forecast
dynamic (multi-period) 287
static (one-period ahead) 285
forecast 287
Format number 49
Formula series 293
Freeze
table 47
freeze 290
Freeze view 290
freq 291
Frequency conversion 244, 279, 323
default method for series 424
using links 324
Frequency table
one-way 291
frml 293
Full information maximum likelihood 284
G
Gamma
distribution 555
Gamma function 552
derivative 552
incomplete 552
incomplete derivative 553
incomplete inverse 553
logarithm 553
second derivative 553
GARCH
display conditional standard deviation 295
estimate model 203
generate conditional variance series 336
garch 295
Gauss file 504
Gaussian distribution 556
Generalized autoregressive conditional heteroske-
dasticity
See ARCH and GARCH.
Generalized error distribution 555
Generate series
I623
for pool 295
genr 295
See also series.
Global
subroutine 111
variable 111
GMM
estimate by 297
gmm 297
Gompit models 217
Goodness of fit (for binary models) 479
Gradients
display 302
saving in series 337
grads 302
Granger causality test 228, 478
Graph 159
align multiple graphs 200
area graph 207
axis labeling 252, 254
bar graph 215
change legend or axis name 354
commands 159
create 59
create using freeze 290
declaring 303
drawing lines and shaded areas 267
error bar 276
high-low-open-close 307
legend appearance and placement 319
line graph 320
merge multiple 351
merging graphs 303
options for bottom axis in boxplotst 226
options for individual elements 426
options for individual elements of a boxplot
421
pie graph 384
place text in 199
procs 160
save to disk 407
scatterplot graph 412
set axis characteristics 213
set axis scale 410
set options 358
spike graph 455
templates 473
views 159
XY graph 528
XY line graph 530
XY pairs graph 532
graph 303
greater than comparison 36
greater than or equal to comparison 36
Group 161
add series 196
convert to matrix 463, 464, 592
convert to matrix (with NAs) 597
data members 162
declare 304
procs 162
views 161
group 304
H
Haver Analytics Database
convert to EViews database 305
display series description 309
fetch series from 306
hconvert 305
Heteroskedasticity test (White) 514
hfetch 306
High-Low-(Open-Close) graph 307
hilo 307
hist 308
Histogram 308
hlabel 309
Hodrick-Prescott filter 310
Holt-Winters 447
Hosmer-Lemeshow test 479
hpf 310
HTML
open page as workfile 504
save table as 57
I
Identity matrix 588
extract column 600
if 606
If statement 99
else clause 100, 604
end of condition 604
start of condition 606
then 612
624 Index
Import data
matrix 40
Import data from file 391
impulse 311
Impulse response function 311
Include
file in a program file 607
program file 107
include 607
Incomplete beta 551
derivative 551
integral 551
inverse 551
Incomplete gamma 552
derivative 553
inverse 553
Independence test 217
Initial parameter values 383
Inner product 548, 589
Insertion point in command line 1
Integer random number 402
Interactive mode 1
Inverse of matrix 590
J
Jarque-Bera
multivariate normality test 313
jbera 313
Johansen cointegration test 240
K
Kalman filter 336
kdensity 315
kerfit 316
Kernel
bivariate regression 316
density 315
Keyboard focus
defaults 2
Kolmogorov-Smirnov test 272
KPSS unit root test 494
Kronecker product 590
L
label 317
Label object 266, 317
Label values 349
Lag
specify as range 613
VAR lag order selection 318
Lag exclusion test 480
laglen 318
Lagrange multiplier
test for ARCH in residuals 206
Landscape printing 8
Laplace distribution 556
Least squares estimation 329
Legend
appearance and placement 319
rename 354
legend 319
Length of string 572
less than comparison 36
less than or equal to comparison 36
Lilliefors test 272
line 320
Line drawing 267
Line graph 320
linefit 322
Link 163
declare 323
procs 164
specification 324
link 323
Link object
convert to ordinary series 491
linkto 324
load 327
Local
subroutine 113
variable 111
log
arbitrary base 546
base 10 545
natural 545
Log difference 546
Logistic
logit function 553
Logistic distribution 556
logit 328
Logit models 217
M625
Logl 164
append specification line 202
check user-supplied derivatives 235
data members 165
declare 328
method 164
procs 164
statements 165
views 164
logl 328
Log-normal distribution 556
Loop
exit loop 107, 605
for (control variables) 101
for (scalars) 103
for (string variables) 103
nest 102
over matrix elements 41, 102
while 104
Lotus file
export data to file 517
Lowercase 572
ls 329
M
MA
seasonal 542
ma 537
Make model object 341
makecoint 334
makederivs 335
makeendog 335
makefilter 336
makegarch 336
makegrads 337
makegraph 338
makegroup 339
makelimits 341
makemodel 341
makeregs 342
makeresids 342
makesignals 344
makestates 345
makestats 347
makesystem 348
map 349
Match merge 323, 324
Mathematical functions 545
matplace 592
Matrix
assign values 24
condition number 582
convert to other matrix objects 42
convert to series or group 30
copy 27
copy submatrix 29
data members 167
declare 23, 350
export data 41
fill values 282
filled 586
import data 40
main diagonal 588
objects 23
permute rows of 594
place submatrix 592
procs 167
resample rows from 595
singular value decomposition 599
stack columns 600
stack lower triangular columns 601
views 40, 166
matrix 350
Matrix commands and functions
commands 38
descriptive statistics 37, 45
difference 38
element 37, 45
functions 38
matrix algebra 37, 45
missing values 39
utility 37, 44
Matrix operators
addition (+) 35
and loop operators 41
comparison operators 36
division (/) 36
multiplication (*) 35
negation (-) 34
order of evaluation 34
subtraction (-) 35
Maximum 548
Maximum likelihood estimation 352
Logl 164
626 Index
state space 177
Mean 548
equality test 475, 476
means 350
Median 548
Merge
graph objects 303, 351
into model 351
using links 324
merge 351
Messages
model solution 354
suppress during program execution 85
Minimum 548
Missing values 39, 545
code for missing 538
mathematical functions 545
recoding 546
ml 352
Model 168
break all model links 491
declare 353
equation view 275
merge into 351
procs 168
scenarios 415
update specification 492
variable view 501
views 168
model 353
Models
add factor assignment and removal 196
add factor initialization 197
block structure 219
exclude variables from solution 278
make from estimation object 341
make graph of model series 338
make group of model series 339
options for solving 452
overrides in model solution 363
solution messages 354
solve 451
solve control to match target 243
text representation 482
trace iteration history 484
modulus 545
Moving average 537, 546
Moving sum 546
msg 354
mtos 592
Multiplication operator (*) 35
N
NA
recode 546
na 538
name 354
Nearest neighbor regression 355
Negation operator (-) 34
Negative binomial
count model 248
distribution 556
next 607
nnfit 355
Nonlinear least squares 329
Norm of a matrix 593
Normal distribution 556
random number 539
not equal to comparison 36
nrnd 539
Number
evaluate a string 578
formatting in tables 49
Number of observations 548
Numbers
converting from strings 122
O
Object
assignment 9
command 6
containers 11
copy 13, 244
declaration 5, 9
delete 15
fetch 16
fetch from database or databank 279
label 317
print 387
rename 15, 394
P627
save 16
store 16, 465
test for existence 607
ODBC 504
OLS (ordinary least squares) 329
Omitted variables test 474
One-way frequency table 291
Open
database 257
text or program files 356
open 356
Open foreign source data 504
Operator 544
relational 119
options 358
Or 544
ordered 360
Ordered dependent variable
estimating models with 360
make vector of limit points from equation 341
Outer product 593
Output
display estimation results 361
printing 8
redirection 361
output 361
Output redirection 608
override 363
Override variables in model solution 363
P
Page
contract 366
copy from 367
create new 369
define structure 378
delete page 371
rename 372
resize 378
save or export 373
set active 374
stack 375
subset from 366
pageappend 364
pagecontract 366
pagecopy 367
pagecreate 369
pagedelete 371
pageload 371
pagerename 372
pagesave 373
pageselect 374
pagestack 375
pagestruct 378
pageunstack 381
Panel
unit root test 494
Panel data
cell identifier 563
group identifier 563
time trend 564
trends 563
within-group identifier 563
param 383
Parameters 383
Pareto distribution 556
Partial autocorrelation 246
Partial correlation 246
pdl 540
PDL (polynomial distributed lag) 540
Percent change
annualized 547
Percentage change 547
Percentage change (one year) 547
Period dummy variable 561
Permute rows of matrix 594
Phillips-Perron test 494
Pi 553
pie 384
Pie graph 384
plot 386
poff 608
Poisson
count model 248
distribution 556
Polynomial distributed lags 540
pon 608
Pool 169
add cross section member 196
data members 171
declare 386
628 Index
delete identifiers 263
generate series using identifiers 295
make group of pool series 339
members 169
procs 170
views 170
pool 386
Portrait (print orientation) 8
Power (raise to) 544
Precedence of evaluation 34
predict 387
Prediction table 387
Presentation table 270
Principal components 383
Print
and display 8
automatic printing 608
landscape 8
portrait 8
turn off in program 608
print 387
probit 388
Probit models 217
Program 83
abort 86
arguments 96, 97
call subroutine 110, 603
counting execution errors 605
create 83
create new file 389
entering text 83
exit loop 107
if statement 99
include file 107, 607
line continuation character 84
modes 96
open 84
place subroutine 109
quiet mode 85
run 405
running 84
save 84
stop 106
stop execution 611
verbose mode 85
version 4 compatibility 96
program 389
P-value functions 557
Q
QQ-plot
See Distribution function.
qqplot 389
Q-statistic 246
qstats 390
Quantile function 549
Quantile-Quantile plot. See Distribution function
Quiet mode 85
R
Random number
generator for normal 539
integer 402
seed 403
uniform 541
range 391
Rank 594
Read
data from foreign file 391
read 391
Recode values 546
Recursive least squares 400
CUSUM 401
CUSUM of squares 401
Redirect output to file 8, 361
Redundant variables test 477
Regressors
make group containing 342
Rename
database 259
object 15, 394
rename 394
Repair database 260
Replacement variable 91
naming objects 92
Representations view 395
Resample
observations 395
rows from matrix 595
resample 395
reset 397
RESET test 397
S629
Reset timer 482
residcor 398
residcov 398
resids 399
Residuals
correlation matrix of 398
covariance matrix of 398
display of 399
make series or group containing 342
resize page 378
Restricted VAR text 237
Results
display or retrieve 400
results 400
return 609
Rich Text Format 57
rls 400
rnd 541
rndint 402
rndseed 403
Roots of the AR polynomial 212
Roundoff error in for loops 610
Row
height 50
numbers 596
place in matrix 596
rowplace 596
Rowvector 172
data members 173
declare 404
extract from matrix 595
filled rowvector function 587
procs 173
views 172
rowvector 404
Run
application in batch mode 86
run 405
Run batch program 405
Run program
multiple files 107
S
Sample
change using for loop 101
declare 406
number of observations in 560
procs 174
set current 449
set sample specification in 420
sample 406
sar 541
SAS file 504
Save
commands in file 2
objects to disk 16
save 407
Scalar 174
declare 410
scalar 410
scale 410
scat 412
scatmat 414
Scatter diagrams
matrix of 414
Scatterplot 412
with kernel fit 316
with nearest neighbor fit 355
with regression line fit 322
scenario 415
seas 417
Seasonal adjustment
moving average 417
Tramo/Seats 484
X11 520
X12 522
Seasonal autoregressive error 541
Seasonal dummy variable 561
Seasonal line graphs 418
seasplot 418
Second moment matrix 589
Seed random number generator 403
Seemingly unrelated regression. See SUR
Sequential LR tests 107
Serial correlation
Breusch-Godfrey LM test 212
multivariate VAR LM test 209
Series 175
auto-updating 293
convert to matrix 463, 464, 592, 597
convert to matrix (with NAs) 597
data members 176
630 Index
declare 418
element function 176
extract observation 559
fill values 282
formula 293
frequency convertion default method 424
procs 176
views 175
series 418
set 420
Set graph date labeling formats 252, 254
setbpelem 421
setcell 422
setcolwidth 423
setconvert 424
setelem 426
setfillcolor 429
setfont 431
setformat 432
setheight 436
setindent 437
setjust 438
setline 439
setlines 440
setmerge 441
settextcolor 443
setwidth 444
Shade region of graph 267
sheet 444
show 445
Show object view 445
Signal variables
display graphs 446
saving 344
signalgraph 446
Sine 554
Singular matrix
test for 590
Singular value decomposition 599
sma 542
smooth 447
Smoothing
exponential smooth series 447
signal series 344
state series 345
smpl 449
Solve
linear system 596
simultaneous equations model 451
solve 451
Solve. See Models.
solveopt 452
sort 453
Sort workfile 453
spec 454
Specification 395
Specification view 454
spike 455
Spike graph 455
Spreadsheet view 444
SPSS file 504
sqrt 546
Sspace
data members 178
declare 457
display signal graphs 446
make Kalman filter from 336
method 177
procs 178
specification display 467
state graphs 459
views 177
sspace 457
Stability test 236
Stack matrix by column 600
lower triangle 601
Stack workfile page 375
Standard deviation 549
Starting values 383
Stata file 504
statby 457
State space
specification 467
State variables
display graphs of 459
final one-step ahead predictions 460
initial values 461
smoothed series 345
statefinal 460
stategraphs 459
S631
stateinit 461
Static forecast 285
Statistical distribution functions 554
Statistics 265
compute for subgroups 457
stats 462
Status line 463
statusline 463, 609
step 610
stom 463, 597
stomna 464, 597
stop 611
Stop program execution 106, 611
store 465
Store object in database or databank 16, 465
String 89
assign to table cell 48
change case 125
concatenation 118
convert date string to observation 126
convert date value into 567
convert date value to string 139
convert from a number 576
convert into date value 568
convert number to string 125
convert string to number 122
convert to a scalar 578
converting string to date number 123, 138
converting to numbers 122
current date as a string 126
extract portion 123, 124
find substring 122
find substring in 570
functions 121
insert string into 570
insert string into another string 124
length 122, 572
length of 577
lowercase 572
missing value 117, 120
null string 117
operators 118
relational comparison 119
relational comparisons with empty strings 120
replace portion of string with new string 124
replace substring in 575
substring 571, 576
test for blank 571
test for blank string 122
test for equality 569
test for inequality 574
test two strings for equality 122
test two strings for inequality 123
trim spaces 124
trim spaces from ends 572, 576, 578
uppercase 578
String variable 89
as replacement variable 91
convert to a scalar 90
in for loop 103
program arguments 96, 97
structure 467
Structure workfile page 378
Subroutine 108
arguments 109
call 110, 603
declare 611
define 108
global 111
local 113
mark end 604
placement 109
return from 108, 609
subroutine 611
Substring 570, 573
Subtraction operator (-) 35
Sum 549
Sum of squares 549
SUR
estimating 468
sur 468
svar 469
Sym 180
create from lower triangle of square matrix 588
create from scalar function 587
create square matrix from 586
data members 182
declare 471
procs 181
stack columns 601
views 181
sym 471
Symmetric matrix
See Sym.
632 Index
System 182
3SLS 194
create from pool or var 348
data members 183
declare 472
FIML estimation 284
methods 182
procs 183
views 183
weighted least squares 515
system 472
T
Table 185
add comment to cell in 242
assigning numbers to cells 48
assigning strings to cells 48
assignment with formatting 49
background color 54
borders and line characteristics 440
borders and lines 54
cell format 52
column width 50
column widths 444
commands 186
creating 47
creating by freezing a view 47
data members 186
decimal format code 49
declare 48, 472
display format for cells 432
display justification for cells 438
fill (background) color for cells 429
font characteristics 54
font for text in cells 431
horizontal line 439
indentation for cells 437
justification and indentation 53
justification code 49
merge cells 441
procs 185
row height 50
row heights 436
save to disk 407
set and format cell contents 422
set column width 423
text color 54
text color for cells 443
views 185
write to file 57
table 472
Tangent 554
t-distribution 556
template 473
Test
Chow 236
CUSUM 401
CUSUM of squares 401
exogeneity 478
for ARCH 206
for equality of values 545
for inequality of values 545
for missing value 545
for serial correlation 209, 212
Goodness of fit 479
Granger causality 228
heteroskedasticity (White) 514
Johansen cointegration 240
lag exclusion (Wald) 480
mean, median, variance equality 475
mean, median, variance equality by classifica-
tion 476
omitted variables 474
redundant variables 477
RESET 397
simple mean, median, variance hypotheses 481
unit root 494
Wald 502
testadd 474
testbtw 475
testby 476
testdrop 477
testexog 478
testfit 479
testlags 480
teststat 481
Text 186
declare 482
views 186
text 482
Text file
open as workfile 504
Then 612
W633
Three stage least squares 194
tic 482
Time
current as string 577
Timer 482, 483, 613
to 613
Tobit models 233
toc 483
trace 484
Trace of a matrix 599
Tramo/Seats 484
tramoseats 484
Transpose 600
Trigonometric functions 553
Truncated dependent variable models 233
tsls 487
Two-stage least squares
see 2sls
U
Uniform distribution 557
Uniform random number generator 541
Unit root test 494
Unit vector 600
unlink 491
Unstack workfile page 381
Untitled objects 10
update 492
updatecoefs 493
Uppercase 578
uroot 494
usage 499
V
Valmap 187
apply to series 349
declare 499
find series that use map 499
procs 187
views 187
valmap 499
VAR
estimate factorization matrix 469
impulse response 311
lag exclusion test 480
lag length test 318
multivariate autocorrelation test 390
variance decomposition 260
Var 187
clear restrictions 237
data members 189
declare 500
methods 188
procs 188
views 188
var 500
Variance 549
Variance decomposition 260
vars 501
VEC
estimating 271
Vector 190
data members 191
declare 501
fill 587
procs 191
views 191
vector 501
Vector autoregression
See Var.
Verbose mode 85
W
wald 502
Wald test 502
Watson test 272
Weibull distribution 557
Weighted least squares 515
Weighted two-stage least squares 519
wend 614
wfcreate 503
wfopen 504
wfsave 512
wfselect 514
while 614
While loop 104
abort 105
end of 614
exit loop 107
start of 614
634 Index
white 514
Wildcards 14
wls 515
Workfile 11, 378
append contents of workfile page to current
page 364
close 12
contract page 366
convert repeated obs to repeated series 381
convert repeated series to repeated obs 375
copy from page 367
create 250
create new workfile 503
create page in 369
date strings 126, 146, 561
define structured page 378
delete page 371
end date of observation interval 560
expand 279
export page 512
frequency 11
load workfile pages into 371
number of observations in 560
observation date functions 146, 561
observation number 559
open existing 12, 504
open foreign source into 504
panel to pool 381
period indicators 561
pool page to panel page 375
rename page 372
save 12, 512
save or export page 373
seasonal indicators 561
set active page 374
set active workfile and page 514
sort observations 453
stack page 375
start date of observation interval 560
time trend 562, 564
time trend (calendar based) 562
unstack page 381
workfile 517
Write
data to text file 517
write 517
wtsls 519
X
x11 520
x12 522
xy 528
XY (line) graph 530
XY (pairs) graph 532
XY graph 528
xyline 530
xypair 532

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