P-STAT Version 3.01
In order to add such features as support for 64 bit
computers, we had to upgrade the compilers we used.
Unfortunately the new compilers use a different format
when writing out P-STAT system files. The result is that P-STAT system files
in Version 3.01 are not the same as those in version 2.23.
Version 3.01 can read a P-STAT system file created by version 2.23.
Verson 2.23 cannot read the new files created by version 3.01.
Most users will want to keep version 2.23 around until they
are comfortable with the new system. The changes in
version 2.23 revision 15 were made to ensure that a single PSKEY
could access both systems and would not turn the earlier release
into a demo.
Much old extraneous code has been removed
from version 3.01 so it should be easier
to add new features.
From the user's point of view, the most obvious enhancement
in 3.01 will be in the composition of variable names.
-
First: the underscore (_) character has been
added to the list of legal characters (letters, numbers and
decimal points).
-
Second: variable names can have up to 64 characters.
Because 64 characters can become unwieldy, a variable name
may (optionally) have 2 sections.
The first section is a tag of 1-16 characters.
It is separated from the second section of text by a double colon (::).
Each variable in a file
must have a unique name and, if tags are used, the tags must also be
unique. Tags can be used in PPL. The tag, the text portion, or the
entire label is then available
for use in printout.
LEGAL NAMES:
Q12a
How_do_you_feel_about_global_warming
Q33::Enhanced_Education.Programs
AN ILLEGAL PAIR OF NAMES: the tags are not unique
Item55::What_is_your_favorite_news.program
Item55::What_is_your_favorite_candy
ILLEGAL? NO.
The following 3 variable names are unique and could be
used in the same P-STAT system file.
Item55::What_is_your_favorite_news.program
What_is_your_favorite_news.program
Item95::What_is_your_favorite_news.program
Some programs, undocumented for several years, will no
longer be available. In particular P-STAT libraries are
no longer supported. However, if you have files stored in these
libraries, they can be retrieved and saved in the new file
formats.
P-STAT system files from previous releases can be read in V3.
P-STAT system files created in V3 cannot be read by earlier
releases.