FORMAT=CITIBASE/FORMAT=DRI

This is a Time Series Database format available for series input, available only on the Professional level of RATS. It is the format used for the Basic Economics database (formerly known as Citibase), which is maintained by Global Insight. You can use either FORMAT=CITIBASE or FORMAT=DRI. (The former might be used in older programs).

RATS Instructions

data(format=citibase)	read from Basic Economics into memory
store(convert=citibase)	copy series from Basic Economics to RATS format

Interface Operations

None for reading or writing data. File—Preferences sets the location of files.

Details

You must use the File—Preferences operation to tell RATS where the data are located. With that done, you can read data with

data(format=citibase,other options) start end list of series

Because the series have dates, you can use this to select a sub-sample or to compact or expand to a different frequency.