Databank format
Encyclopedia
A file format
is a particular way to encode information for storage in a computer file.
The databank format is an ASCII
file format for time series
econometric
analysis. The format was popularized by microTSP
.
The databank format is primarily used for data of a fixed annual sample frequency (annual, quarterly, monthly) and for undated data. It is supported by TSP
, EViews
, and many other econometric
applications. Traditionally the name of the file ends with extension .db.
By inspection, the databank file is seen to be an ASCII text file containing a single data series. A databank file is formatted linewise. Initial comment lines begin with a quote. For dated series, the next three lines specify the frequency, start date, and end date. (For undated series, the next two lines specify the start index and end index.) The remaining lines are data: one observation per line, or NA if missing.
Closely related is the open databank format: a modest extension and more rigorous specification of the traditional databank format. A conforming reader and writer is provided by EconPy.
File format
A file format is a particular way that information is encoded for storage in a computer file.Since a disk drive, or indeed any computer storage, can store only bits, the computer must have some way of converting information to 0s and 1s and vice-versa. There are different kinds of formats for...
is a particular way to encode information for storage in a computer file.
The databank format is an ASCII
ASCII
The American Standard Code for Information Interchange is a character-encoding scheme based on the ordering of the English alphabet. ASCII codes represent text in computers, communications equipment, and other devices that use text...
file format for time series
Time series
In statistics, signal processing, econometrics and mathematical finance, a time series is a sequence of data points, measured typically at successive times spaced at uniform time intervals. Examples of time series are the daily closing value of the Dow Jones index or the annual flow volume of the...
econometric
Econometrics
Econometrics has been defined as "the application of mathematics and statistical methods to economic data" and described as the branch of economics "that aims to give empirical content to economic relations." More precisely, it is "the quantitative analysis of actual economic phenomena based on...
analysis. The format was popularized by microTSP
EViews
EViews is a statistical package for Windows, used mainly for time-series oriented econometric analysis. It is developed by Quantitative Micro Software , now a part of IHS. Version 1.0 was released in March 1994, and replaced MicroTSP...
.
The databank format is primarily used for data of a fixed annual sample frequency (annual, quarterly, monthly) and for undated data. It is supported by TSP
TSP (econometrics software)
TSP is a programming language for the estimation and simulation of econometric models. TSP stands for "Time Series Processor", although it is also commonly used with cross section and panel data. The company behind the program is TSP International which was founded in 1978 by Bronwyn H...
, EViews
EViews
EViews is a statistical package for Windows, used mainly for time-series oriented econometric analysis. It is developed by Quantitative Micro Software , now a part of IHS. Version 1.0 was released in March 1994, and replaced MicroTSP...
, and many other econometric
Econometrics
Econometrics has been defined as "the application of mathematics and statistical methods to economic data" and described as the branch of economics "that aims to give empirical content to economic relations." More precisely, it is "the quantitative analysis of actual economic phenomena based on...
applications. Traditionally the name of the file ends with extension .db.
By inspection, the databank file is seen to be an ASCII text file containing a single data series. A databank file is formatted linewise. Initial comment lines begin with a quote. For dated series, the next three lines specify the frequency, start date, and end date. (For undated series, the next two lines specify the start index and end index.) The remaining lines are data: one observation per line, or NA if missing.
Closely related is the open databank format: a modest extension and more rigorous specification of the traditional databank format. A conforming reader and writer is provided by EconPy.