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SLIDRET is the SLID (Survey of Labour and Income Dynamics)
data RETrieval system. It was developed to simplify
access to SLID data; users are able to create a dataset according to their own
specifications, without having to understand the internal SLID database
structure. Everything is contained in one screen. Windows open to allow users
to clarify various selections.
Users are able to create, save and modify
specifications to create cross-sectional and longitudinal datasets containing
only the variables selected. The query results can be generated in a variety of
file formats including: Comma Separated Variable (CSV) file, Extensible Markup Language file (XML), and SAS dataset. SLIDRET can
also generate a data dictionary, a record layout, a file containing the
variable labels, variable codesets, and univariate statistics for each of the variables selected.
The output data file can then be read into the analytical software preferred by
the user. An additional feature is that the software suggests a weight variable
based on the specifications (if desired, this default can be changed by the
user).
You can also put restrictions on the content of your
database (i.e. persons with a total income greater than 100 000 dollars).
To use all features of SLIDRET, one must have access
to the internal database (for which access is restricted). However one can
create the “query” files from the public version of SLIDRET which
contains an empty database structure.
Depending on the user’s selections and the type
of computer used, the extraction may take some time. We anticipate that this
will not be viewed as problematic since SLIDRET is not used frequently. The
primary purpose is to create a file which will meet the needs of a specific
analytical or research project.
Version 4.0.0 is a complete redesign of the SLIDRet
application. The application interface is now programmed in C#.Net (rather than
FoxPro). Data are kept in SQL Server 2005 databases (rather than FoxPro). The
net results of this redesign are:
·
A more user
friendly interface.
·
Decreased
processing times for queries.
·
Enhanced
functionality