SHAZAM (software)
Encyclopedia
SHAZAM is a comprehensive econometrics
and statistics
package for estimating, testing
, simulating and forecasting
many types of econometrics and statistical models. SHAZAM was originally created in 1977 by Ken White.
or desktop
) from Windows 2000 or later.
SHAZAM contains comprehensive data import capabilities through its Data Connector allowing the import of machine data source such as tab, space or comma separated text formats, other file-based proprietary binary formats (including various Microsoft Excel
formats) as well as Microsoft Access
or any other local data source for which the user has a driver on their system. In addition SHAZAM can import data from any Database Management System (DBMS). SHAZAM ships with drivers for most common data formats.
(MDI) interface allowing with input and output windows. SHAZAM Professional Edition for Windows (SHAZAMP) adds complete development environment for the SHAZAM language and incorporates command, data, matrix, graph and SQL editors, a data connector and project viewer as well as an integrated debugger, wizards for most SHAZAM modeling tasks, formatted output and integrated online resources.
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...
and statistics
Statistics
Statistics is the study of the collection, organization, analysis, and interpretation of data. It deals with all aspects of this, including the planning of data collection in terms of the design of surveys and experiments....
package for estimating, testing
Statistical hypothesis testing
A statistical hypothesis test is a method of making decisions using data, whether from a controlled experiment or an observational study . In statistics, a result is called statistically significant if it is unlikely to have occurred by chance alone, according to a pre-determined threshold...
, simulating and forecasting
Forecasting
Forecasting is the process of making statements about events whose actual outcomes have not yet been observed. A commonplace example might be estimation for some variable of interest at some specified future date. Prediction is a similar, but more general term...
many types of econometrics and statistical models. SHAZAM was originally created in 1977 by Ken White.
Compatibility
SHAZAM Version 10 is available for all Windows platforms (server, workstationWorkstation
A workstation is a high-end microcomputer designed for technical or scientific applications. Intended primarily to be used by one person at a time, they are commonly connected to a local area network and run multi-user operating systems...
or desktop
Desktop computer
A desktop computer is a personal computer in a form intended for regular use at a single location, as opposed to a mobile laptop or portable computer. Early desktop computers are designed to lay flat on the desk, while modern towers stand upright...
) from Windows 2000 or later.
Data format
The SHAZAM data format (SHAZAM Data) is a proprietary space delimited ASCII format. Data can be optionally stored by observation (row) or by variable (column) with or without variable names. The only difference from a standard space delimited file format being the incorporation of line continuation characters beyond 70 or 100 columns.SHAZAM contains comprehensive data import capabilities through its Data Connector allowing the import of machine data source such as tab, space or comma separated text formats, other file-based proprietary binary formats (including various Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Excel is a proprietary commercial spreadsheet application written and distributed by Microsoft for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. It features calculation, graphing tools, pivot tables, and a macro programming language called Visual Basic for Applications...
formats) as well as Microsoft Access
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Office Access, previously known as Microsoft Access, is a relational database management system from Microsoft that combines the relational Microsoft Jet Database Engine with a graphical user interface and software-development tools. It is a member of the Microsoft Office suite of...
or any other local data source for which the user has a driver on their system. In addition SHAZAM can import data from any Database Management System (DBMS). SHAZAM ships with drivers for most common data formats.
Extensibility
SHAZAM is extensible through the development of SHAZAM Procedures that can be included or reused in SHAZAM command files. Numerous SHAZAM Procedures have been written and are available from the SHAZAM Website or from many sites throughout the internet.Editions
SHAZAM is currently available in four editions. SHAZAM Command Line Edition (SHAZAMD and SHAZAMQ) are text user interface versions that allow batch processing. They operate in double and quad precisions. SHAZAM Standard Edition for Windows (SHAZAMW) adds a native Windows application that incorporates a multiple document interfaceMultiple document interface
Graphical computer applications with a multiple document interface are those whose windows reside under a single parent window , as opposed to all windows being separate from each other . Such systems often allow child windows to embed other windows inside them as well, creating complex nested...
(MDI) interface allowing with input and output windows. SHAZAM Professional Edition for Windows (SHAZAMP) adds complete development environment for the SHAZAM language and incorporates command, data, matrix, graph and SQL editors, a data connector and project viewer as well as an integrated debugger, wizards for most SHAZAM modeling tasks, formatted output and integrated online resources.