NIPO ODIN Version 5.17
*CODES
Purpose
Defines a question type.
Syntax
*CODES [pos]L<length>|<pos>
Description
This command is always used in combination with *QUESTION and must be specified after this command on the same line. It defines a closed question with a set of precoded answer categories, where each category has a unique value.
Arguments
pos
This is the start of the data field where the data is written in the U-file.
length
This is the length of the data field.
In a closed, but not multiple question the number of digits of the highest category number defines the minimum length of the data field. In a closed, multiple question the highest category number (i.e. not the number of categories) defines the minimum length of the data field.
Remarks
- It is also possible to define a dummy question by omitting the categories in order to store data from other questions or variables or to use it as a label.
- The argument
L1 may be omitted when data positions are fixed. - The NIPO ODIN Developer reports a warning message when the length is more than the highest code number requires. The NIPO ODIN Developer reports an error message when a
*CODES question without *MULTI exceeds the maximum size of L10 (max. code number is 2147483647 = 232-1). Use *ALPHA to copy large dummy questions from and to the T-file.
Example 1
*QUESTION 1 *CODES 61
Do you own a car?
1: Yes
2: No
In this example, a closed question is defined with two precoded answer categories.
Example 2
*QUESTION 2 *CODES 62L25 *MULTI
What brands of cars do you know?
3: Citroën
4: Fiat
5: Ford
6: Hyundai
7: Mazda
8: Mitsubishi
9: Nissan
10: Opel
11: Peugeot
12: Renault
13: Suzuki
14: Toyota
15: Volkswagen
16: Volvo
24: Other *NOCON *OPEN
25: Don't know *NOCON
In this example a closed question with multiple answers is defined. Because the highest code-number is 25, the field has to be at least 25 positions long. When the interviewer or respondent is using the keyboard to type the code-numbers, the various codes should be separated by a space, that is generated automatically when a code number is ‘complete’. So it is best to skip code 1 when using code 10 and higher, skip code 2 when using code 20 and higher.
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