Chapter 11: Step 2: Download

Chapter 11 - Step 2: Download

In Download we will explore the download capability of DataFerrett using the example databasket from the previous Chapter (9). Remember to save your databasket as a ferrett session file (.fsf).

DataFerrett gives you the option of extracting the data in your databasket or display a number of rows from the databasket on your screen.

To display the data, you have the choice of viewing 50 rows, 100 rows or 200 rows of the raw data. This is an ASCII type display with each variable in a column and the values for each row of data.

The view will be offered via a link to an html page:

To save/download this data you will use the right mouse button on the file link. The right mouse click in Internet Explorer it will say "Save Target As: The right mouse click in Netscape will say: Save Link As:" which will download your file(s) to your computer. For this example, the default will always be using Internet Explorer.

DO NOT save to favorites or bookmark. The files that save your extraction are periodically cleared out of the cache of the DataFerrett system. Save the file to your own computer.

If you Open the link it will show you the raw data in the number of rows selected.

Choosing the Download Data file format

DataFerrett offers several standard statistical package formats for the user to download. Choosing your download format will be entirely dependent upon your preferences for after-download file manipulation. After making a file format selection, select the Get Extract button to get your data downloaded to your computer. The images above are indicative of the kinds of windows that will come up for you to make choices to before the download process is complete. Below you will see the files that return with your data. Some of them will return with an additional statistical package command file.

SAS (version 8.0 or higher) format will come with SAS input statements. See the returned files:
SPSS format. See the returned files:
STATA format. See the returned files:
EXCEL / ACCESS database format. See the returned files:
Space delimited - If you are going to read it into a statistical package. See the returned files:
Comma Delimited. See the returned files:

Running your Request in Batch Mode

This allows you to run the job in batch and get the results later instead of waiting for the results. You will be sent an email message with a link to your data file when the job is complete. You might want to use this option if you are trying to extract a very large number of variables. If you choose this option a window pops up telling you the url to check later for your results. This is where the correct input of your login email address is important. Please do not insert false or incorrect email addresses to login to DataFerrett.

Currently there are two compression methods available: zip and gzip.

Copy the link to check later or wait for the email, as shown below.

Working with SIPP Extractions using SAS

The instructions included on the DataFerrett/SIPP CD give guidance to the user about how to save a DataFerrett extract as a SAS file. The recommended approach is to save the extract as a SAS file, close DataFerrett, launch SAS, and then import the saved extract into SAS for execution. This approach will minimize the likelihood that the user's computer might exhaust its memory resources.

Some users may wish to provide a more automatic invocation of SAS by associating the file suffix of the DataFerrett extract with a particular version of SAS existing on their computers. It is important to note that SIPP extractions from DataFerrett should be processed in SAS version 8.x or higher. Earlier versions of SAS will not properly handle certain features of SIPP data, such as the length of labels. If you wish to create such an association to enable automatic invocation of SAS, please check with your LAN Support specialist regarding how to do so in the most appropriate way in your local environment.

DataFerrett Users' Guide