SPFILE= supplementary control file

There is often a set of control instructions that you wish to make a permanent or temporary part of every control file. Such files can be specified with SPFILE=. Multiple SPFILE= specifications can be included in one control file. Supplemental files called with SPFILE= can also include SPFILE= specifications.

 

 

Example 1: The analyst has a standard set of convergence criteria and other control instructions to include in every control file.

a) Enter these into a standard DOS TEXT/ASCII file, e.g, SUPPL.TXT

The analyst's SUPPL.TXT contains:

LCONV=.01

ITEM=TASK

PERSON=CLIENT

TABLES=101110011

 

b) Specify this supplemental file in the main control file, say, MAIN.TXT

TITLE='NEW YORK CLIENTS'

SPFILE=SUPPL.TXT

ITEM1=37

NI=100

 

Example 2: The analyst has a set of control instructions that are used only for the final run. These are coded in a separate DOS TEXT file called FINAL.SPC

C:>WINSTEPS CONTROL.FIL OUTPUT.FIL SPFILE=FINAL.SPC

 

Example 3: Keyn= is a particularly useful application of SPFILE=.

Put the KEY1= instruction for each test form in its own DOS TEXT file, then reference that file rather than including the key directly in the control file.

 

Here is FORMA.KEY:

NI=23

CODES=ABCD

KEY1=ABCDDADBCDADDABBCAADBBA

 

Here is the control file:

TITLE='FORM A READING RASCH ANALYSIS'

ITEM1=20

SPFILE=FORMA.KEY

TABLES=111011011

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