SHIFT VALUES

This command is available as of version 17.0. It deals with problems that were formerly were tackled using COMPUTE together with the LAG operator.

Note: I have tried it, and it works; but I did not yet find the find the time to explain it all. Those who have an idea what "lags" and "leads" are will understand easily what it's all about.

Four simple examples:

SHIFT VALUES VARIABLE = var1 RESULT = var2 LAG = 1.
SHIFT VALUES VARIABLE = var1 RESULT = var2 SHIFT = -1.
SHIFT VALUES VARIABLE = var1 RESULT = var2 LEAD = 1.
SHIFT VALUES VARIABLE = var1 RESULT = var2 SHIFT = 1.

The first and the second example are equivalent, just as are the third and the fourth.

The number 1 or -1 may be replaced by other integer numbers, including 0 (zero). I don't know whether there is a limit.