### Install savReaderWriter using setup.py

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/_sources/index.txt

Install the savReaderWriter package by running the setup.py script.

```sh
python setup.py install
```

--------------------------------

### Install bleeding-edge savReaderWriter from repository

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/index.html

Install the latest development version of savReaderWriter directly from its Bitbucket repository.

```bash
pip install -U -e git+https://bitbucket.org/fomcl/savreaderwriter.git#egg=savreaderwriter
```

--------------------------------

### Example of Value Labels Structure

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/generated_api_documentation.html

Demonstrates the dictionary structure for setting and getting value labels for both numeric and string variables.

```python
{
b'numGender': {1: b'female',
               {2: b'male'}},
 b'strGender': {b'f': b'female',
                b'm': b'male'}}

```

--------------------------------

### Setting and Getting Locale on macOS

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/_static/mac_os_x_locale_quirks.txt

Demonstrates setting the locale to the system default and then attempting to retrieve it. This example highlights a common ValueError on macOS when the locale name is not recognized.

```python
import locale
locale.setlocale(locale.LC_ALL, "")
locale.getlocale()
```

--------------------------------

### Install savReaderWriter using pip

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/index.html

Install the savReaderWriter package using pip for easy integration.

```bash
pip install savReaderWriter
```

--------------------------------

### Install cWriterow Package

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/index.html

Install the cWriterow package for a faster Cython implementation of pyWriterow. Requires Cython and running setup.py.

```bash
easy_install cython
python setup.py build_ext --inplace
```

--------------------------------

### File Attributes Example

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/generated_api_documentation.html

Demonstrates the structure of file attributes, including attribute names, values, and revision dates. Attribute arrays are indicated by square brackets and must start with index 1.

```python
b'attrName[1]': b'attrValue1',
b'revision[1]': b'2010-10-09',
b'revision[2]': b'2010-10-22',
b'revision[3]': b'2010-11-19'
```

--------------------------------

### Install savReaderWriter using pip

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/_sources/index.txt

Install the savReaderWriter package using pip. For the latest development version, use the Git repository.

```sh
pip install savReaderWriter
```

```sh
pip install -U -e git+https://bitbucket.org/fomcl/savreaderwriter.git#egg=savreaderwriter
```

--------------------------------

### Example of Variable Attributes Structure

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/generated_api_documentation.html

Illustrates the nested dictionary structure for setting and getting custom variable attributes, mapping variable names to dictionaries of attribute names and values.

```python
{
b'var1': {b'attr name x': b'attr value x',
           b'attr name y': b'attr value y'},
 b'var2': {b'attr name a': b'attr value a',
           b'attr name b': b'attr value b'}}

```

--------------------------------

### Get a specific record by key using an ID variable

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/_modules/savReaderWriter/savReader.html

Instantiate SavReader with a file path and an 'idVar'. Use the get() method with a key to retrieve a record, providing a default value if the key is not found. This method uses binary search for efficiency.

```python
data = SavReader(savFileName, idVar="ssn")
data.get("987654321", "social security number not found!")
data.close()
```

--------------------------------

### Example of Missing Values Structure

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/generated_api_documentation.html

Provides a comprehensive example of the dictionary structure for defining user-defined missing values, including discrete values, ranges, and string values.

```python
# note that 'lower', 'upper', 'value(s)' are without b' prefix
missingValues = {

# discrete values
b"someNumvar1": {"values": [999, -1, -2]},

# range, cf. MISSING VALUES x (-9 THRU -1)
b"someNumvar2": {"lower": -9, "upper": -1},
b"someNumvar3": {"lower": -9, "upper": -1, "value": 999},

# string variables can have up to three missing values
b"someStrvar1": {"values": [b"foo", b"bar", b"baz"]},
b"someStrvar2": {"values': b"bletch"}
}

```

--------------------------------

### savReaderWriter.SavReader.getSavFileInfo

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/genindex.html

Gets general file information from a SavReader object.

```APIDOC
## getSavFileInfo()

### Description
Retrieves general information about the .sav file.

### Method
N/A (Method call)

### Endpoint
N/A

### Parameters
None

### Request Example
N/A

### Response
#### Success Response
- **sav_file_info** (dict) - Information about the .sav file.
```

--------------------------------

### Set DEW and GUID Information

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/_modules/savReaderWriter/header.html

Sets Data Entry (DEW) and GUID information in a SAV file. Includes byte swapping logic if specified and handles writing data in segments.

```python
data, asciiGUID = info["data"], info["GUID"]
# input validation
is_ascii = all(map(lambda x: ord(x) < 128, asciiGUID))
if not isinstance(asciiGUID, str) and is_ascii:
    raise ValueError("GUID must be a string of ascii characters")

# I am not sure at all about the following
swapit = info.has_key("swapBytes") and info.get("swapBytes")
def swap(x):
   """swap bytes if needed"""
   src_fmt = '<%s' if sys.byteorder == 'little' else '>%s'
   dst_fmt = ">%s" if swapit and src_fmt[0] == "<" else "<%s"
   if isinstance(x, (float, int)):
       src_fmt, dst_fmt = src_fmt % "l", dst_mft % "l"
   elif isinstance(x, str):
       src_fmt, dst_fmt = src_fmt % "s", dst_mft % "s"
   else:
       type_ = re.search("'(\\w+)'", str(type(x))).group(1)
       raise TypeError("Must be str, int or float, not %s") % type_
   if src_fmt != dst_fmt:
       x = struct.unpack(dst_fmt, struct.pack(src_fmt, x))[0]
   return x
if swapit:
    data, asciiGUID = map(swap, data), swap(asciiGUID)

# write DEW information
for i, pData in enumerate(data):
    nBytes = len(pData)
    args = c_int(self.fh), c_void_p(pData), c_long(nBytes)
    # ... first segment
    if not i:
        func = self.spssio.spssSetDEWFirst
        retcode = func(*args)
    # ... subsequent segments
    else:
        func = self.spssio.spssSetDEWNext
        retcode = func(*args)
    if retcode > 0:
        break

# write GUI information
if not retcode:
    args = self.fh, c_char_py3k(asciiGUID)
    func = self.spssio.spssSetDEWGUID
    func.argtypes = [c_int, c_char_p]
    retcode = func(*args)

if retcode:
    msg = "Problem setting Data Entry info with function %r"
    checkErrsWarns(msg % func.__name__, retcode)
```

--------------------------------

### Get System String

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/_modules/savReaderWriter/generic.html

Retrieves the name of the system under which the SPSS file was created as a string.

```python
sysName = create_string_buffer(42)
func = self.spssio.spssGetSystemString
retcode = func(c_int(self.fh), byref(sysName))
checkErrsWarns("Problem getting SystemString", retcode)
return sysName.value
```

--------------------------------

### textInfo

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/generated_api_documentation.html

Get or set text information. This method takes a savFileName and returns a string containing file build information.

```APIDOC
## textInfo

### Description
Get/Set text information. Takes a savFileName and returns a string of the form: “File %r built using SavReaderWriter.py version %s (%s)”. This is akin to, but _not_ equivalent to the SPSS syntax command DISPLAY DOCUMENTS
```

--------------------------------

### Example of Variable Labels Structure

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/generated_api_documentation.html

Illustrates the dictionary format for setting and retrieving variable labels, mapping variable names to their descriptive labels.

```python
{
b'salary': b'Salary (dollars)',
 b'educ': b'Educational level (years)'}

```

--------------------------------

### savReaderWriter.SavReader.getHeader

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/genindex.html

Gets the header information from a SavReader object.

```APIDOC
## getHeader()

### Description
Retrieves the header information of the .sav file.

### Method
N/A (Method call)

### Endpoint
N/A

### Parameters
None

### Request Example
N/A

### Response
#### Success Response
- **header_info** (Header) - The header object.
```

--------------------------------

### Example of Variable Sets Structure

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/generated_api_documentation.html

Demonstrates the dictionary format for defining and retrieving variable sets, where keys are set names and values are lists of associated variables.

```python
{
b'SALARY': [b'salbegin', b'salary'],
 b'DEMOGR': [b'gender', b'minority', b'educ']}

```

--------------------------------

### Example of Formats Structure

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/generated_api_documentation.html

Shows the dictionary structure for managing print and write formats for variables, mapping variable names to SPSS format strings.

```python
{
b'salary': b'DOLLAR8',
 b'gender': b'A1',
 b'educ': b'F8.2'}

```

--------------------------------

### Retrieve all records from a SAV file

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/_modules/savReaderWriter/savReader.html

Instantiate SavReader with a file path and use the all() method to get a list of all records. Ensure the file is closed after use.

```python
data = SavReader("someFile.sav") 
list_of_lists = data.all()
data.close()
```

--------------------------------

### Get Data Entry Information

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/_modules/savReaderWriter/header.html

Retrieves information private to the Data Entry for Windows (DEW) product. This includes DEW segments and a globally unique identifier (GUID).

```APIDOC
## dataEntryInfo

### Description
Gets information private to the Data Entry for Windows (DEW) product.

### Method
`dataEntryInfo` (getter)

### Parameters
None

### Response
- **dataEntryInfo** (dictionary) - A dictionary containing DEW information.
  - `"data"` (list): A list of DEW segments.
  - `"GUID"` (string): The globally unique identifier.
Returns an empty dictionary if the file contains no DEW information.

### Response Example
```json
{
  "data": [
    "<dew_segment_1>",
    "<dew_segment_2>"
  ],
  "GUID": "<some-guid>"
}
```

### Remarks
- This method checks for byte order differences between the host and file systems and raises a `ValueError` if they differ.
- DEW information is not copied when using mode="cp" in the SavWriter initializer.
- This feature is entirely untested.
```

--------------------------------

### Launch savViewer utility

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/index.html

Launch the savViewer utility, a PyQt4-based script for viewing various data file formats including .sav, .zsav, .xls, .xlsx, .csv, and .tab.

```bash
python -m savReaderWriter.util.savViewer
```

--------------------------------

### Initialize SavWriter and Write Records

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/_modules/savReaderWriter/savWriter.html

Demonstrates the typical usage of SavWriter to create a new .sav file, define variable names and types, and write records row by row. Ensure the file path and variable definitions are correct before instantiation.

```python
records = [[b'Test1', 1, 1], [b'Test2', 2, 1]]
varNames = [b'var1', b'v2', b'v3']
varTypes = {b'var1': 5, b'v2': 0, b'v3': 0}
savFileName = 'someFile.sav'
with SavWriter(savFileName, varNames, varTypes) as writer:
    for record in records:
        writer.writerow(record)
```

--------------------------------

### Example SAV File Creation for Testing

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/_modules/savReaderWriter/savReaderNp.html

Creates a sample SAV file with numeric and datetime data for testing purposes. This snippet demonstrates how to use SavWriter to generate a test file, which can then be read by SavReaderNp.

```python
import time
from contextlib import closing
savFileName = "./test_data/all_numeric_datetime_uncompressed.sav"
kwargs = dict( \
savFileName = savFileName,
varNames = ["v1", "v2"],
varTypes = {"v1": 0, "v2": 0},
formats = {"v1": "DOLLAR15.2", "v2": "EDATE40"} )
if not os.path.exists(savFileName):
    with SavWriter(**kwargs) as writer:
        for i in xrange(10 ** 2):
            value = None if not i else 11654150400.
            writer.writerow([i, value])
```

--------------------------------

### Initialize SavReader with Options

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/_modules/savReaderWriter/savReader.html

Demonstrates typical usage of SavReader by opening a file and iterating through its records. Use this pattern for processing all data within an SPSS file.

```python
with SavReader('somefile.sav', returnHeader=True) as reader:
    header = reader.next()
    for line in reader:
        process(line)
```

--------------------------------

### Run SavViewer Utility

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/_sources/index.txt

Execute the SavViewer utility from the command line. You can run it without arguments to open a file dialog or provide a specific file path.

```sh
python -m savReaderWriter.util.savViewer
python -m savReaderWriter.util.savViewer '/path/to/some/file.sav'
```

--------------------------------

### Launch savViewer with a specific file

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/index.html

Launch the savViewer utility and open a specific data file by providing its path as an argument.

```bash
python -m savReaderWriter.util.savViewer '/path/to/some/file.sav'
```

--------------------------------

### Context Manager Entry Point

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/_modules/savReaderWriter/savWriter.html

Enters the context manager, returning the writer object to enable 'writerow' and 'writerows' methods within a 'with' statement.

```python
def __enter__(self):
        """This function returns the writer object itself so the writerow and
        writerows methods become available for use with 'with' statements"""
        return self
```

--------------------------------

### Read and display the first five records

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/_modules/savReaderWriter/savReader.html

Instantiate SavReader with a file path and use the head() method to view the initial records. Ensure the file is closed after use.

```python
data = SavReader("someFile.sav") 
print("The first five records look like this: %s" % data.head())
data.close()
```

--------------------------------

### Get Variable Attributes

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/_modules/savReaderWriter/header.html

Retrieves attributes for a specific variable. It involves two steps: first getting the size of the attribute array, then fetching the attributes with the correct size. Memory is freed after retrieval.

```python
            # step 1: get array size
            nAttr = c_int()
            retcode = func(self.fh, c_char_py3k(vName),
                           byref(attrNamesArr), byref(attrValuesArr),
                           byref(nAttr))
            if retcode:
                msg = "Problem getting attributes of variable '%s' (step 1/2)"
                checkErrsWarns(msg % varName.decode(), retcode)

            # step 2: get attributes with arrays of proper size
            nAttr = c_int(nAttr.value)
            attrNamesArr = (POINTER(c_char_p * nAttr.value))()
            attrValuesArr = (POINTER(c_char_p * nAttr.value))()
            func.argtypes = [c_int, c_char_p, 
                             POINTER(POINTER(c_char_p * nAttr.value)),
                             POINTER(POINTER(c_char_p * nAttr.value)),
                             POINTER(c_int)]
            retcode = func(self.fh, c_char_py3k(vName),
                           byref(attrNamesArr), byref(attrValuesArr),
                           byref(nAttr))
            if retcode:
                msg = "Problem getting attributes of variable '%s' (step 2/2)"
                checkErrsWarns(msg % varName.decode(), retcode)

            # get array contents
            if not nAttr.value:
                continue
            k, v, n = attrNamesArr[0], attrValuesArr[0], nAttr.value
            attribute = dict([(k[i], v[i]) for i in xrange(n)])
            attributes[varName] = attribute

            # clean up
            args = (attrNamesArr, attrValuesArr, nAttr)
            self.freeMemory("spssFreeAttributes", *args)
```

--------------------------------

### Get Concise File Report (Python 2)

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/generated_api_documentation.html

Illustrates how to get a concise report of the SPSS data file using the unicode representation of the SavReader object in Python 2. Ensure the file is closed after retrieving the report.

```python
data = SavReader(savFileName)
print(unicode(data))  # Python 3: str(data)
data.close()
```

--------------------------------

### SavHeaderReader Initialization and Usage

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/_modules/savReaderWriter/savHeaderReader.html

Demonstrates typical usage of SavHeaderReader within a context manager to access file metadata. Ensure the file is properly closed using 'with' or 'close()'.

```python
with SavHeaderReader(savFileName) as header:
    metadata = header.all()
    report = str(header)
    print(metadata.varLabels)
```

--------------------------------

### savReaderWriter.SavReader.getFileReport

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/genindex.html

Gets the file report from a SavReader object.

```APIDOC
## getFileReport()

### Description
Retrieves a report about the .sav file.

### Method
N/A (Method call)

### Endpoint
N/A

### Parameters
None

### Request Example
N/A

### Response
#### Success Response
- **file_report** (str) - The file report.
```

--------------------------------

### __enter__

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/_modules/savReaderWriter/savWriter.html

Enters a context manager, returning the writer object itself to enable the use of writerow and writerows methods within 'with' statements.

```APIDOC
## __enter__

### Description
Enters a context manager, returning the writer object itself to enable the use of writerow and writerows methods within 'with' statements.

### Method
__enter__
```

--------------------------------

### SavReader.head()

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/_modules/savReaderWriter/savReader.html

Returns the first n records from the SAV file.

```APIDOC
## SavReader.head()

### Description
This convenience function returns the first <n> records.

### Parameters
- **n** (int) - Optional - The number of records to return. Defaults to 5.

### Request Example
```python
data = SavReader("someFile.sav") 
print("The first five records look like this: %s" % data.head())
data.close()
```
```

--------------------------------

### Get Number of Variables Property

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/_modules/savReaderWriter/header.html

Returns the number of variables (columns) present in the SPSS dataset.

```python
@property
def numberofVariables(self):
        """This function returns the number of variables (columns) in the
        spss dataset

```

--------------------------------

### fileAttributes

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/generated_api_documentation.html

Get or set DATAFILE ATTRIBUTES. This method returns or accepts a dictionary of file attributes.

```APIDOC
## fileAttributes

### Description
Get/Set DATAFILE ATTRIBUTES. Returns/Takes a dictionary of the form:
```
b'attrName[1]': b'attrValue1',
b'revision[1]': b'2010-10-09',
b'revision[2]': b'2010-10-22',
b'revision[3]': b'2010-11-19'
```
Square brackets indicate attribute arrays, which must start with 1.
```

--------------------------------

### caseWeightVar

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/_modules/savReaderWriter/header.html

Gets or sets the case weight variable for the SAV file. This variable is used for weighted analyses.

```APIDOC
## caseWeightVar

### Description
Gets or sets the case weight variable for the SAV file. This variable is used for weighted analyses.

### Method
GETTER/SETTER

### Parameters
#### Path Parameters
None

#### Query Parameters
None

#### Request Body (Setter)
- **varName** (string) - Required - The name of the variable to be set as the case weight variable.

### Request Example (Setter)
```python
# Example of setting a case weight variable
# Assuming 'my_sav_file' is an instance of the savReaderWriter header class
my_sav_file.caseWeightVar = 'WeightVarName'
```

### Response (Getter)
#### Success Response (200)
- **caseWeightVar** (string) - The name of the case weight variable, if any.

#### Response Example (Getter)
```python
# Example of getting the case weight variable
# Assuming 'my_sav_file' is an instance of the savReaderWriter header class
weight_var = my_sav_file.caseWeightVar
print(weight_var)
```

### Error Handling
- Raises `SPSSIOError` if there is a problem getting the case weight variable name.
```

--------------------------------

### SavHeaderReader Constructor

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/_modules/savReaderWriter/savHeaderReader.html

Initializes the SavHeaderReader with the specified file name and I/O options. It sets up internal variables by calling the parent class constructor and opening the SAV file.

```python
def __init__(self, savFileName, ioUtf8=False, ioLocale=None):
    """ Constructor. Initializes all vars that can be recycled """
    super(SavHeaderReader, self).__init__(savFileName, b"rb", None,
                                          ioUtf8, ioLocale)
    self.fh = self.openSavFile()
    self.varNames, self.varTypes = self.varNamesTypes
    self.numVars = self.numberofVariables
    self.nCases = self.numberofCases
```

--------------------------------

### ioLocale

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/_modules/savReaderWriter/generic.html

Gets or sets the I/O Module's locale, corresponding to the SPSS command SET LOCALE.

```APIDOC
## ioLocale

### Description
This property gets/sets the I/O Module's locale. This corresponds with the SPSS command `SET LOCALE`. The I/O Module's locale is separate from that of the client application. The `<localeName>` parameter and the return value are identical to those for the C run-time function setlocale. The exact locale name specification depends on the OS of the host system, but has the following form:

    `<lang>_<territory>.<codeset>[@<modifiers>]`

The 'codeset' and 'modifier' components are optional and in Windows, aliases (e.g. 'english') may be used. When the I/O Module is first loaded, its locale is set to the system default.

### See also
- linux : `<https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Locale>`_
- windows : `<http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/39cwe7zf(v=vs.80).aspx>`_

### Returns
- The current locale name as a string.
```

--------------------------------

### Variable Alignments

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/_modules/savReaderWriter/header.html

Allows getting and setting the text alignment for variables. Valid alignments are 'left', 'right', and 'center'.

```APIDOC
## Variable Alignments

### Description
Get or set the alignment of text within variable columns. Returns/Takes a dictionary of the form `{varName: alignment}`. Valid alignment values are: 'left', 'right', 'center'.

### Method
`alignments` (property)

### Parameters
#### Request Body (for setter)
- **varAlignments** (dict) - Required - A dictionary where keys are variable names (string) and values are the desired alignments ('left', 'right', or 'center').

### Request Example
```python
# Get alignments
aligns = sav_writer.alignments

# Set alignments
sav_writer.alignments = {'Age': 'right', 'Name': 'left'}
```

### Response
#### Success Response (200)
- **alignments** (dict) - A dictionary mapping variable names to their alignment strings ('left', 'right', or 'center').
```

--------------------------------

### SavReader.head

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/_modules/savReaderWriter/savReader.html

Returns the first n records from the SAV file.

```APIDOC
## head(n=5)

### Description
This convenience function returns the first <n> records.

### Parameters
- **n** (int) - Optional - The number of records to return. Defaults to 5.
```

--------------------------------

### Write Records to SAV File

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/generated_api_documentation.html

Demonstrates the typical usage of SavWriter to create a .sav file and write records to it. Ensure the file is properly closed after writing.

```python
records = [[b'Test1', 1, 1], [b'Test2', 2, 1]]
varNames = [b'var1', b'v2', b'v3']
varTypes = {b'var1': 5, b'v2': 0, b'v3': 0}
savFileName = 'someFile.sav'
with SavWriter(savFileName, varNames, varTypes) as writer:
    for record in records:
        writer.writerow(record)

```

--------------------------------

### caseWeightVar

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/generated_api_documentation.html

Get or set the WEIGHT variable. This method takes a valid varName and returns the weight variable, if any, as a string.

```APIDOC
## caseWeightVar

### Description
Get/Set WEIGHT variable. Takes a valid varName, and returns weight variable, if any, as a string.
```

--------------------------------

### Get All Records from SavReader

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/generated_api_documentation.html

Retrieve all records from a SavReader object as a list of lists. Ensure the SavReader is closed after use.

```python
data = SavReader(savFileName)
list_of_lists = data.all()
data.close()

```

--------------------------------

### SavWriter Constructor

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/generated_api_documentation.html

Initializes the SavWriter object. It can be used to create a new .sav file or copy an existing one with modifications.

```APIDOC
## SavWriter

### Description
Constructor. Initializes all vars that can be recycled.

### Parameters
- **_savFileName** (str) - The name of the .sav file to be created or written to.
- **_varNames** (list) - A list of variable names.
- **_varTypes** (dict) - A dictionary mapping variable names to their types.
- **_valueLabels** (dict, optional) - Dictionary for value labels.
- **_varLabels** (dict, optional) - Dictionary for variable labels.
- **_formats** (dict, optional) - Dictionary for variable formats.
- **_missingValues** (dict, optional) - Dictionary for missing values.
- **_measureLevels** (dict, optional) - Dictionary for measure levels.
- **_columnWidths** (dict, optional) - Dictionary for column widths.
- **_alignments** (dict, optional) - Dictionary for alignments.
- **_varSets** (dict, optional) - Dictionary for variable sets.
- **_varRoles** (dict, optional) - Dictionary for variable roles.
- **_varAttributes** (dict, optional) - Dictionary for variable attributes.
- **_fileAttributes** (dict, optional) - Dictionary for file attributes.
- **_fileLabel** (str, optional) - The file label.
- **_multRespDefs** (dict, optional) - Dictionary for multiple response definitions.
- **_caseWeightVar** (str, optional) - The case weight variable name.
- **_overwrite** (bool, optional) - Whether to overwrite the file if it exists. Defaults to True.
- **_ioUtf8** (bool, optional) - Whether to use UTF-8 encoding for I/O. Defaults to False.
- **_ioLocale** (str, optional) - The I/O locale.
- **_mode** (str, optional) - The mode of operation ('wb' for write binary, 'cp' for copy). Defaults to 'wb'.
- **_refSavFileName** (str, optional) - Reference file name for header initialization (used with mode='cp').

### Example
```python
records = [[b'Test1', 1, 1], [b'Test2', 2, 1]]
varNames = [b'var1', b'v2', b'v3']
varTypes = {b'var1': 5, b'v2': 0, b'v3': 0}
savFileName = 'someFile.sav'
with SavWriter(savFileName, varNames, varTypes) as writer:
    for record in records:
        writer.writerow(record)
```
```

--------------------------------

### Get SavReader Shape

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/generated_api_documentation.html

Retrieve the number of rows and columns from a SavReader object. Ensure the SavReader is closed after use.

```python
data = SavReader(savFileName)
data.shape.nrows == len(data) # True
data.close()

```

--------------------------------

### Get Variable Alignments

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/_modules/savReaderWriter/header.html

Retrieves the alignment for each variable. Valid alignments are 'left', 'right', and 'center'. Errors during retrieval are logged.

```python
    @property
    @decode
    def alignments(self):
        """Get/Set `VARIABLE ALIGNMENT`. Returns/Takes a dictionary of the 
        form `{varName: alignment}`. Valid alignment values are: "left",
        "right", "center".

       .. warning:: *measureLevels, columnWidths, alignments must all three 
           be set, if used*"""
        func = self.spssio.spssGetVarAlignment
        func.argtypes = [c_int, c_char_p, POINTER(c_int)]
 
        alignments = {0: b"left", 1: b"right", 2: b"center"}
        alignment_ = c_int()
        varAlignments = {}
        for varName in self.varNames:
            vName = self.vNames[varName]
            retcode = func(self.fh, c_char_py3k(vName), alignment_)
            alignment = alignments[alignment_.value]
            varAlignments[varName] = alignment
            if retcode:
                msg = "Problem getting variable alignment: '%s'"
                checkErrsWarns(msg % varName.decode(), retcode)
        return varAlignments
```

--------------------------------

### Load SPSSIO Libraries Based on Platform

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/_modules/savReaderWriter/generic.html

Loads and returns the appropriate SPSSIO libraries based on the operating system and architecture (32-bit or 64-bit). It handles Windows, Linux (including zLinux), and macOS, calling _loadLibs to perform the actual library loading.

```python
def loadLibrary(self):  # pragma: no cover
        """This function loads and returns the SPSSIO libraries,
        depending on the platform."""

        arch = platform.architecture()[0]
        is_32bit, is_64bit = arch == "32bit", arch == "64bit"
        pf = sys.platform.lower()

        # windows
        if pf.startswith("win") and is_32bit:
            spssio = self._loadLibs("win32")
        elif pf.startswith("win"):
            spssio = self._loadLibs("win64")

        # linux
        elif pf.startswith("lin") and is_32bit:
            spssio = self._loadLibs("lin32")
        elif pf.startswith("lin") and is_64bit and os.uname()[-1] == "s390x":
            # zLinux64: Thanks Anderson P. from System z Linux LinkedIn Group!
            spssio = self._loadLibs("zlinux")
        elif pf.startswith("lin") and is_64bit:
            spssio = self._loadLibs("lin64")
```

--------------------------------

### Get Variable Labels

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/_modules/savReaderWriter/header.html

Retrieves variable labels from the SAV file. It iterates through each variable name and fetches its corresponding label.

```python
    @property
    @decode
    def varLabels(self):
        """Get/set `VARIABLE LABELS`.
        Returns/takes a dictionary of the form `{varName: varLabel}`. 
        For example:

        .. code-block:: python

            {b'salary': b'Salary (dollars)',
             b'educ': b'Educational level (years)'}
        """
        lenBuff = MAXLENGTHS['SPSS_MAX_VARLABEL'][0]
        varLabel = create_string_buffer(lenBuff)

        func = self.spssio.spssGetVarLabelLong
        func.argtypes = [c_int, c_char_p, POINTER(c_char * lenBuff), 
                         c_int, POINTER(c_int)]

        varLabels = {}
        for varName in self.varNames:
            vName = self.vNames[varName]
            retcode = func(self.fh, c_char_py3k(vName),
                           varLabel, lenBuff, c_int())
            varLabels[varName] = varLabel.value
            if retcode:
                msg = "Problem getting variable label of variable %r" % varName
                checkErrsWarns(msg, retcode)
        return varLabels
```

--------------------------------

### SavReader.all

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/generated_api_documentation.html

Returns all records from the SAV file as a list.

```APIDOC
## all

### Description
This convenience function returns all the records.

### Example
```python
data = SavReader("someFile.sav") 
list_of_lists = data.all()
data.close()
```
```

--------------------------------

### Get Value Labels (String)

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/_modules/savReaderWriter/header.html

Retrieves value labels for string variables. It determines the array size and then fetches the labels.

```python
            # step 1b: get array size (string values)
            else:
                valuesArr, labelsArr = initArrays(False)
                func = funcC
                func.argtypes = [c_int, c_char_p, 
                                 POINTER(POINTER(c_char_p * 0)),
                                 POINTER(POINTER(c_char_p * 0)), 
                                 POINTER(c_int)]  
                retcode = func(self.fh, c_char_py3k(vName),
                               valuesArr, labelsArr, numLabels)
                valuesArr, labelsArr = initArrays(False, numLabels.value)
                func.argtypes = [c_int, c_char_p,
                                 POINTER(POINTER(c_char_p * numLabels.value)),
                                 POINTER(POINTER(c_char_p * numLabels.value)),
                                 POINTER(c_int)]
```

--------------------------------

### SavWriter Constructor Parameters

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/_modules/savReaderWriter/savWriter.html

Details the parameters available for the SavWriter constructor, including file name, variable information, metadata options, and file handling modes like overwrite, UTF-8 encoding, and reference file usage for copying.

```python
def __init__(self, savFileName, varNames, varTypes, valueLabels=None,
             varLabels=None, formats=None, missingValues=None,
             measureLevels=None, columnWidths=None, alignments=None,
             varSets=None, varRoles=None, varAttributes=None,
             fileAttributes=None, fileLabel=None, multRespDefs=None,
             caseWeightVar=None, overwrite=True, ioUtf8=False, 
             ioLocale=None, mode=b"wb", refSavFileName=None):
        """ Constructor. Initializes all vars that can be recycled """
        super(Header, self).__init__(savFileName, ioUtf8, ioLocale)
        self.savFileName = savFileName
        self.varNames = self.encode(varNames)
        self.varTypes = self.encode(varTypes)
        self.overwrite = overwrite
        self.mode = mode
        self.refSavFileName = refSavFileName

        self.fh = super(Header, self).openSavFile(self.savFileName, self.mode,
                                                  self.refSavFileName)
        self.myStruct = self.getStruct(self.varTypes, self.varNames, self.mode)
        self.pack_into = self.myStruct.pack_into

        self.sysmis_ = self.sysmis
        self.ioUtf8_ = ioUtf8
        self.pad_8_lookup = self._getPaddingLookupTable(self.varTypes)
        self.pad_string = self._pyWriterow_pad_string(isPy3k)
        self.bytify = bytify(self.fileEncoding)  # from py3k module
        self.encoding = self.fileEncoding
```

--------------------------------

### Example Multiple Response Set Definitions

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/_modules/savReaderWriter/header.html

Illustrates the structure of different types of multiple response sets (categorical, dichotomous, extended dichotomous) used within the savReaderWriter library.

```python
categorical =  {b"setType": b"C", 
                            b"label": b"labelC",
                            b"varNames": [b"salary", b"educ"]}
            dichotomous1 = {b"setType": b"D", b"label": b"labelD",
                            b"varNames": [b"salary", b"educ"], 
                            b"countedValue": b"Yes"}
            dichotomous2 = {b"setType": b"D", 
                            b"label": b"", 
                            b"varNames": [b"salary", b"educ", b"jobcat"], 
                            b"countedValue": b"No"}
            extended1 =    {b"setType": b"E", 
                            b"label": b"", 
                            b"varNames": [b"mevar1", b"mevar2", b"mevar3"], 
                            b"countedValue": b"1",
                            b"firstVarIsLabel": True}
            extended2 =    {b"setType": b"E", 
                            b"label": b"Enhanced set with user specified label", 
                            b"varNames": [b"mevar4", b"mevar5", b"mevar6"], 
                            b"countedValue": b"Yes", 
                            b"firstVarIsLabel": False}
            multRespDefs = {b"testSetC": categorical, 
                            b"testSetD1": dichotomous1,
                            b"testSetD2": dichotomous2, 
                            b"testSetEx1": extended1,
                            b"testSetEx2": extended2}
```

--------------------------------

### Get Hash Value

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/_modules/savReaderWriter/savReader.html

Returns a hash value for the SavReader object, ensuring it is hashable and can be used in sets or as dictionary keys.

```python
def __hash__(self):
    """This function returns a hash value for the object to ensure it
    is hashable."""
    return id(self)
```

--------------------------------

### Get Number of Cases

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/_modules/savReaderWriter/savReader.html

Returns the total number of cases (rows) in the SPSS data file. Can be used with the len() function.

```python
def __len__(self):
    """ This function reports the number of cases (rows) in the spss data
    file. For example: len(SavReader(savFileName))"""
    return self.nCases
```

--------------------------------

### SavReader.all()

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/_modules/savReaderWriter/savReader.html

Returns all records from the SAV file as a list of lists.

```APIDOC
## SavReader.all()

### Description
This convenience function returns all the records.

### Request Example
```python
data = SavReader("someFile.sav") 
list_of_lists = data.all()
data.close()
```
```

--------------------------------

### Get Variable Roles

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/_modules/savReaderWriter/header.html

Retrieves variable role information from an SPSS file. Returns a dictionary mapping variable names to their roles.

```python
    @property
    @decode
    def varRoles(self):
        """Get/Set `VARIABLE ROLES`.
        Returns/Takes a dictionary of the form `{varName: varRole}`, where
        varRoles may be any of the following: 'both', 'frequency', 'input',
        'none', 'partition', 'record ID', 'split', 'target'"""
        func = self.spssio.spssGetVarRole
        func.argtypes = [c_int, c_char_p, POINTER(c_int)]

        roles = {0: b"input", 1: b"target", 2: b"both", 3: b"none", 4: b"partition",
                 5: b"split", 6: b"frequency", 7: b"record ID"}
        varRoles = {}
        varRole_ = c_int()
        for varName in self.varNames:
            vName = self.vNames[varName]
            retcode = func(self.fh, c_char_py3k(vName), varRole_)
            varRole = roles.get(varRole_.value)
            varRoles[varName] = varRole
            if retcode:
                msg = "Problem getting variable role for variable %r"
                checkErrsWarns(msg, retcode)
        return varRoles
```

--------------------------------

### Column Widths

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/_modules/savReaderWriter/header.html

Enables getting and setting the display width for variables. A width of zero indicates that SPSS should determine an appropriate width.

```APIDOC
## Column Widths

### Description
Get or set the display width for variables. Returns a dictionary of `{varName: <int>}`. A value of zero means SPSS will set an appropriate width.

### Method
`columnWidths` (property)

### Parameters
#### Request Body (for setter)
- **varColumnWidths** (dict) - Required - A dictionary where keys are variable names (string) and values are the desired column widths (integer). A value of 0 lets SPSS determine the width.

### Request Example
```python
# Get column widths
widths = sav_writer.columnWidths

# Set column widths
sav_writer.columnWidths = {'Age': 10, 'Name': 25, 'Salary': 0}
```

### Response
#### Success Response (200)
- **columnWidths** (dict) - A dictionary mapping variable names to their integer column widths.
```

--------------------------------

### Context Manager Methods

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/generated_api_documentation.html

Methods for using SavWriter within a 'with' statement for automatic file handling.

```APIDOC
## SavWriter Context Manager

### `__enter__`

This function returns the writer object itself so the writerow and writerows methods become available for use with ‘with’ statements.

### `__exit__`

This function closes the spss data file. Warning: Always ensure the the .sav file is properly closed, either by using a context manager (`with` statement) or by using `close()`.
```

--------------------------------

### Variable Labels

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/_modules/savReaderWriter/header.html

Get or set the variable labels for the SAV file. This is a dictionary where keys are variable names and values are their corresponding labels.

```APIDOC
## Property: varLabels

### Description
Get or set the variable labels for the SAV file. This is a dictionary where keys are variable names and values are their corresponding labels.

### Example
```python
# Getting variable labels
variable_labels = reader.varLabels

# Setting variable labels
reader.varLabels = {b'salary': b'Salary (dollars)', b'educ': b'Educational level (years)'}
```

### Get
Returns a dictionary of the form `{varName: varLabel}`.

### Set
Takes a dictionary of the form `{varName: varLabel}`.
```

--------------------------------

### SavReader.getHeader

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/generated_api_documentation.html

Returns a list of variable names from the SAV file, optionally filtered by a selection.

```APIDOC
## getHeader

### Description
This function returns the variable names, or a selection thereof (as specified as a list using the `selectVars` parameter), as a list.

### Parameters
* **selectVars** (list): An optional list of variable names to select.

### Example
```python
data = SavReader(savFileName)
variable_names = data.getHeader()
print(variable_names)
selected_vars = data.getHeader(['var1', 'var2'])
print(selected_vars)
data.close()
```
```

--------------------------------

### Get Value Labels (Numeric)

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/_modules/savReaderWriter/header.html

Retrieves value labels for numeric variables. It first determines the array size and then fetches the labels.

```python
            # step 1a: get array size (numeric values)
            if self.varTypes[varName] == 0:
                valuesArr, labelsArr = initArrays(True)
                func = funcN
                func.argtypes = [c_int, c_char_p, 
                                 POINTER(POINTER(c_double * 0)),
                                 POINTER(POINTER(c_char_p * 0)),
                                 POINTER(c_int)]  
                retcode = func(self.fh, c_char_py3k(vName),
                               valuesArr, labelsArr, numLabels)
                valuesArr, labelsArr = initArrays(True, numLabels.value)
                func.argtypes = [c_int, c_char_p,
                                 POINTER(POINTER(c_double * numLabels.value)),
                                 POINTER(POINTER(c_char_p * numLabels.value)),
                                 POINTER(c_int)]
```

--------------------------------

### multRespDefs

Source: https://pythonhosted.org/savReaderWriter/generated_api_documentation.html

Get or set MRSETS (multiple response) sets. This method returns or accepts a dictionary defining multiple response sets.

```APIDOC
## multRespDefs

### Description
Get/Set MRSETS (multiple response) sets. Returns/takes a dictionary of the form:
* multiple category sets: {setName: {“setType”: “C”, “label”: lbl, “varNames”: [<list_of_varNames>]}}
* multiple dichotomy sets: {setName: {“setType”: “D”, “label”: lbl, “varNames”: [<list_of_varNames>], “countedValue”: countedValue}}
* extended multiple dichotomy sets: {setName: {“setType”: “E”, “label”: lbl, “varNames”: [<list_of_varNames>], “countedValue”: countedValue, ‘firstVarIsLabel’: <bool>}}

Note. You can get values of extended multiple dichotomy sets with getMultRespSetsDefEx, but you cannot write extended multiple dichotomy sets.
```