4.5 Data file
This is a block entry. The block begins with a line containing the code DATA (can be abbreviated to DAT) followed by the name of the data file. There is no default name. The general form of the data file required in described in 6.1.
The following lines specify the record layout of the data file for all traits. There are two alternative ways of specification.
4.5.1 Simple
For each trait in turn, there should be one parameter file line for each column, up to
the last column used in the analysis.
The lines can have up to 3 elements :
- (a)
- The code TR
where 
is a one- or two-digit trait number. This can be
omitted for univariate analyses.
- (b)
- The name of the variable in this column.
- (c)
- The maximum number of levels. This is required if the column represents a fixed or random effect in the model of analysis or a control variable in a random regression analysis.
The block is terminated by a line with the code END.
EXAMPLE: This shows the block for an analysis reading records for 2 traits from the file mydata.dat.
TR1 traitno 2
TR1 animal 1000
TR1 fixeffect 50
TR1 weight
TR2 traitno 2
TR2 animal 500
TR2 fixeffect 30
TR2 feedintake
END DATA
4.5.2 Compact
If there are several traits for which the record layout is the same, the respective
record layout can be given for the whole group of traits. This avoids tedious
duplication of lines.
This alternative is selected by placing the code GRP after the name of the data file
(same line, separated by a space).
For each group of traits, the following lines need to be given :
- 1.
- A ‘header’ line beginning with the code TRNOS (can be abbreviate to TRN), followed by the running numbers of the traits in the group on the same line.
- 2.
- One line for each column in the data file (up to the last column used) which is
the same for all traits, containing
- (a)
- the variable name
- (b)
- the maximum number of levels, if the column represents a fixed or random effect in the model of analysis
- 3.
- One line for each column which has a different name for different traits (e.g.
representing the traits to be analysed), containing
- (a)
- the code NAMES (can be abbreviated to NAM)
- (b)
- the variable names (on the same line, space separated; the same number of variables as traits in the group must be given)
Again, the block is terminated by a line with the code END.
EXAMPLE: This shows the ‘grouped’ alternative for specifying the data file layout, for two traits with the same column structure in the example above.
DATA mydata.dat GRP
TRNOS 1 2
traitno 2
animal 1000
fixeffect 50
NAMES weight feedintake
END DATA