NAMES File – What is .names file and how to open it?

NAMES File Definition

A NAMES file is an integral component of the Generalized Data Management System (GDMS), a legacy data processing system developed by the University of Minnesota in the 1970s. It serves as a data set description file, providing vital information about the structure and content of a GDMS data set. The NAMES file contains metadata such as field names, data types, field lengths, and record attributes. This metadata is crucial for accessing and interpreting the data stored in the corresponding GDMS data set.

Operation and Use of NAMES Files

NAMES files play a pivotal role in the GDMS environment. They are typically created and maintained by GDMS administrators or data analysts and are used by GDMS programs to read, process, and write data sets. By incorporating field descriptions and record layouts, NAMES files facilitate error checking, data type validation, and the overall integrity of GDMS data processing operations. NAMES files also enable the creation of application programs that can access and manipulate GDMS data sets without requiring detailed knowledge of the data structure. They form a fundamental component of the GDMS system, ensuring efficient and reliable data management.

Opening NAMES Files

NAMES files are primarily associated with the IBM SPSS Statistics software suite. To open a NAMES file using SPSS, follow these steps:

1. Launch SPSS and select “File” > “Open” from the main menu.
2. In the file browser window, navigate to the location of the NAMES file and select it.
3. Click “Open” to load the file into SPSS.

The NAMES file contains metadata about the variables (e.g., names, labels, values) used in an SPSS data file. When opened in SPSS, the NAMES file is used to automatically define the variables in the corresponding data file, making it easier to work with the data.

Alternative Methods

In addition to SPSS, a few other software applications can open and read NAMES files, including:

• Text editors: NAMES files are text-based files, so any text editor, such as Notepad or TextEdit, can be used to view and edit their contents. However, text editors do not provide any special functionality for working with NAMES files.
• Spreadsheet software: Some spreadsheet applications, such as Microsoft Excel, can import NAMES files as comma-separated value (CSV) files. This allows users to view and manipulate the metadata contained in the NAMES file using spreadsheet functions. However, it’s important to note that importing the NAMES file into a spreadsheet may result in the loss of certain formatting or metadata.

NAMES File Structure

NAMES files are text files that contain metadata describing the contents of a dataset. They are typically used in conjunction with data files that do not have built-in metadata, such as comma-separated value (CSV) files. NAMES files follow a specific syntax that includes the following sections:

• Header: The header section begins with the line “NAMES” and contains information such as the number of variables in the dataset, the variable names, and the data types of each variable.
• Variable Descriptions: The variable descriptions section provides additional information about each variable, such as its units of measurement, missing value codes, and allowed values.
• Value Labels: The value labels section defines labels for the values of categorical variables.
• Comments: The comments section contains any additional information about the dataset, such as the author, source, or creation date.

Advantages of Using NAMES Files

NAMES files offer several advantages for data management and analysis:

• Enhanced data documentation: NAMES files provide a comprehensive description of the dataset, making it easier for users to understand the contents and context of the data.
• Improved data quality: By defining value labels and allowed values, NAMES files help to ensure the accuracy and validity of data.
• Increased data interoperability: NAMES files allow datasets from different sources and formats to be easily combined and analyzed, as they provide a common metadata structure.
• Support for statistical software: Many statistical software packages, such as R and SAS, support the import of NAMES files, making it easy to read and analyze data described by these files.

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