Download IFS Database and Browser on CD-ROM Frequently Asked Questions

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IFS Database and Browser on CD-ROM
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
August 2007
1. What is the IFS Browser on CD-ROM?
The IFS Database and Browser on CD-ROM enhances the recently introduced International Financial Statistics
database CD-ROM by incorporating a Windows-based browser facility, as well as the flat file of the database in
scientific notation. Thus the new product is designed to meet the needs of two sets of subscribers--those who
prefer to access or process the full contents of the database directly (former tape subscribers) and those who
prefer to access the database through an interactive interface (former subscribers to the DOS-based IFS on CDROM product). With the introduction of this new product, the IFS CD-ROM with DOS-based browser will be
discontinued.
As a replacement of the DOS-based browser, the new browser software provides a familiar and easy-to-use
Windows interface for browsing the database, selecting series of interest, displaying the selected series in a
spreadsheet format and saving the selected series for transfer to other software systems, such as Microsoft
Excel[R]. It includes three complementary methods of browsing the database: (1) a table view corresponding to
the tables contained within the IFS publication; (2) an economic concept view that provides access to similar
concepts across countries, to the extent that they exist; and (3) a view based on the structure of the time series
codes.
2. What hardware/software do I need to run the Browser?
To access either the data file or the browser software, a standard CD-ROM disk drive interfaced with a PC or
workstation is required. To transfer the data file (IFS.NEW), to another platform, e.g. a mainframe, additional
file transfer software and a physical network connection is required.
The browser software is a 32-bit application, requiring a 32-bit operating system (Windows 95, Windows 98,
Windows XP, Windows Vista, or NT 4.0) and a minimum screen resolution of 800 x 600 (1024 x 768, if large
fonts are used). The following minimum configuration is recommended: Quad Speed (4X) CD-ROM drive, 90
MHz speed processor, and 16 MB of RAM.
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3. How do I install the IFS Database and Browser?
To access the database file:
1.
2.
3.
Insert the IFS CD into the CD-ROM Drive.
If the IFS CD-ROM screen appears, click on Exit. (If the IMFCDROM dialogue box is displayed, click
on No.)
The data file (IFS.NEW) is located under the DATA directory on the CD.
Execute the appropriate software (not provided) to read or transfer the IFS.NEW file (approximately
160 MB) contained on the CD.
To install the browser software:
1.
2.
3.
Insert the IFS CD into the CD-ROM Drive.
If the IFS CD-ROM screen appears, click on Installation. Otherwise, click on the Start button, click on
Run, and type D:\SETUP.EXE (substitute the appropriate drive letter for the CD-ROM if other than
D:).
Follow the instructions for installing the software. If you accept the directory defaults, the system
program files will reside under the c:\program files\imf\ifs directory. For most users, the minimum
installation requires approximately 5 MB of disk space and typically takes a few minutes.
(Note that the browser software cannot be properly installed by simply copying the contents of the CD-ROM to
the hard disk.)
4. How do I run the Browser?
To run the browser software after it has been installed:
1.
2.
Insert the IFS CD into the CD-ROM drive.
If the IMFCDROM dialogue box appears, click on Yes to run the Browser. Otherwise,
a. Click on the Start button and select Programs, IMF CD-ROM, and click on IFS, or
b. Double click on the shortcut IFS icon from the desktop that was created as part of the installation
process.
5. Can the Browser be installed on a network?
Yes. A network version is available through the installation process. It requires a network license in order to
acquire the special password needed for access.
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6. What documentation exists for the Database and Browser?
The CD-ROM disk contains documentation, created using Microsoft [R] Word, about the nature of the data,
metadata, and country codes used on the CD-ROM. This information will be particularly useful for subscribers who
wish to access the data file directly. Subscribers will also find a file notifying them about monthly additions and
deletions to the time series in the database. Both the documentation (IFS.rtf) and the revision file (REV.rtf) may be
found in the directory called PRINT_ME on the CD-ROM. The introduction notes file (INT.rtf), for the printed copy
of IFS, can also be found under the Print_Me directory. For assistance in using the browser software, a Frequently
Asked Questions file (FAQ.rtf) is included under the Print_Me directory in addition to the extensive on-line help
facility within the software. To access the on-line help, click on the question mark icon located in the upper right
corner of the browser screen or on the help menu in the data viewer.
7. Who do I contact for support?
For technical clarifications, you may
Write
Attention: Economic Systems Division
Technology and General Services Department
International Monetary Fund
Washington, D.C. 20431 U.S.A.
Facsimile (202) 623-9070
E-mail
[email protected]
For inquiries regarding your subscription, you may
Write
Publication Services
International Monetary Fund
Washington, D.C. 20431 U.S.A.
Telephone (202) 623-7430
Facsimile (202) 623-7201
E-mail
[email protected]
For inquiries relating to the data, you may
Write
Statistics Department
International Monetary Fund
Washington, D.C. 20431 U.S.A.
Facsimile
(202) 623-6460
STA hot line (202) 623-6180
8. Does the coverage of data match the printed IFS?
Yes, the time series coverage matches the book, but a wider range of historical observations is provided on the
CD-ROM. The approximately 32,000 time series found in the IFS database on CD-ROM cover more than 200
countries and include the following:
- all series appearing in the printed IFS country pages;
- all series published in the printed IFS world tables, except for the daily exchange rates appearing in the
exchange rate tables;
- the following exchange rate series as available: aa, ac, ae, af, ag, ah, b, c, de, dg, ea, eb, ec, ed, g, rb, rd, rf,
rh, sa, sb, sc, sd, wa, wc, we, wf, wg, wh, xe, xf, ye, yf, nec, rec, aat, aet, rbt, rft, neu, reu, and ahx;
- Fund accounts time series, all denominated in SDR: 2af, 2al, 2ap, 2aq, 2as, 2at, 2ej, 2ek, 2en, 2eo, 2f.s, 1c.s,
2tl, 2egs, 2eb, 2h.s, 1bd, 1b.s, 2dus, 2krs, 2ees, 2kxs, 2eu, 2ey, 2eg, 2ens, 2ehs, 2eqs, 2ers, 2ets, 2kk, 2lk, 2kl,
2ll, 1ch, and 1cj; and in percentages, 2tlp, 2fz, and 1bf;
- producer price index series (63) and consumer price index series (64);
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- export and import series (70 and 71); and
- balance of payments series (78aad to 79ded).
The IFS database on CD-ROM contains data in three frequencies (annual, quarterly, and monthly). When the
data are available, the annual entries generally begin in 1948, with quarterly and monthly entries beginning in
1957.
9. What export formats are supported?
The retrieved time series data can be exported to the following file types:
- Formula One (.vts)
- Excel 97 (.xls)
- Tabbed Text (.txt)
- HTML (.htm)
- Excel 5/95 (.xls)
10. How do I export the entire database?
The entire database cannot be exported from the Browser; however, the IFS.new file residing on the CD-ROM
contains the entire database in text file format. It is envisaged that the dump utility will be enhanced to allow
exporting the entire database in other formats, such as the internationally recognized GESMES/CB format.
Currently, the dump utility contained within the product only extracts the database into the “flat file” scientific
notation file (IFS.new) format and comma delimited text format.
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11. How do I get started using the Browser?
The primary way to begin accessing data with the browser is to traverse the directory tree contained in the far
left-hand box on the browse tab, much like one would traverse a file directory to locate a file. When an entry in
the directory is proceeded by a cylinder icon, this signifies a grouping of time series from which selections can
be made: selecting such an item will cause one or more selection boxes to appear on the right. The first three
items in the top level of the directory tree, Country Tables, World Tables and Commodity Prices provide access
to the data via presentation tables similar to the Country Tables or World and Area Tables found in the printed
IFS publication. Any of these tables can be retrieved in their entirety (using the Retrieve Table Button), or
selected individual series can be retrieved from any of these tables (by selecting the series and using the Add and
Retrieve Buttons). The fourth top-level entry in the directory tree, Economic Concept View, provides a means of
selecting one or more concepts across one or more selected countries.
An alternate means of accessing the database, using the structure of the time series codes or names, is provided
through the Search Tab.
12. Can I view tables in the same format as the printed IFS pages?
Yes. The Country Tables, World Tables, and Commodity Prices Views provide standard presentation tables in a
format similar to the printed copy of IFS.
13. What is the limit on the number of time series that can be retrieved at a time?
No more than a total of 5,000 series may be added to the Series to Retrieve box and retrieved in the spreadsheet
at a time. If an attempt is made to add more than 5,000 series, then a warning message is issued and the first
5,000 series will be displayed in the series to retrieve box.
14. How do I save a query and re-execute it again in another session?
The Save/Load Query button, located on the upper right within the Browse panel, is used to save the time series
information in the Series to Retrieve box or to populate the Series to Retrieve box based on a selection from a
previous session. After clicking on the Save/Load Query button, a dialog box appears with a text box for either
entering a new query name or selecting a previously saved query by clicking on the down arrow. There are
SAVE, LOAD, DELETE, and CANCEL options available from the dialog box. The save query option only
works when series are added to the Series to Retrieve box and not when using the Retrieve Table button to
display an entire table.
15. Can my old queries from the DOS-based system be retrieved directly into the new system?
No. However, old queries can be converted and retrieved directly into the new system. The following
procedures allow the user to convert a previously created query from the IFS CD-ROM DOS product
(DataWare) for use in the new IFS CD-ROM Database and Browser. Basically, only the time series keys are
transferred. The period and other metadata settings for display can be re-established, once in the Browser
interface.
I.
Create a Query Text File from the IFS CD-ROM DOS Product.
In this step, the originally created query will be loaded and an output text file created with the time
series keys information.
1. Choose F5: Storage and load previously stored query.
2. Choose F3: Display to list the time series and Press F5: Output.
3. Set the following options within the Output Screen:
(Note: Pressing the <enter> key from the option fields will display the list of available choices and
you must press <enter> again after highlighting the choice.)
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a.
b.
c.
d.
II.
Import the Text File created in I.d above to either Word Processing or Spreadsheet Software. In this
step, the imported text file will be edited and formatted so that only the time series keys remain in each
row starting in column one.
1. Word Processing Software
Within the word processing software, e.g., Microsoft Word, WordPad, etc., delete the beginning
characters up to each time series key in every row.
2. Spreadsheet Software
Within the spreadsheet software, e.g., Excel, the time series column can be easily established using
the Text-Import Wizard from File/Open.
3.
III.
Output Type – Formatted Text
Text Format – List I
Output Fields – select only the time series key by pressing the <space bar> next to the items
not needed and again pressing <enter>.
To File .. – press <enter> and either choose an existing file name or enter a new file name
followed by <enter>. Note: The default directory is c:\ifs_data.
In either of the two processes above, save the output as a text file with extension .QRY and store in
the c:\program files\imf\ifs\query directory.
Execute the Query in the New IFS Browser
This is the final step of simply loading the query file created in step II, establishing the period and
option settings, and retrieving the series based on the query.
1. Click on the Save/Load Query button.
2. Click on the down arrow for a drop down list of queries.
3. Highlight the query file name created in step II and click on Load.
4. Adjust the period setting as desired by clicking on the retrieval period button.
5. Click on the Retrieve button to populate the spreadsheet with the retrieved data.
6. Click on the Save/Load Query button and save the query for future use.
16. Can I search on the time series descriptor text?
No. Only the fields within the time series code can be searched.
To Search the IFS database using time series codes (time series names),
-Click on the Search Tab
Enter desired strings including wildcards in time series key sub-fields, according to Naming
Conventions for IFS Time Series or select the desired country, subject, and/or partner country from
the drop-down list
Click on Search button to return list of time series matching wildcard specification
Select the desired series within the list of found series
Click on Add to add the series to the Series to Retrieve box on the Browse tab.
17. Are all of the IFS time series available through the Economic Concept View?
No. However, most of the data contained in IFS is represented in this high-level summary of economic
concepts. This view allows the retrieval of similar concepts across a number of countries, to the extent that
they exist. Due to differences in the way countries define and compile statistics, not all concepts are fully
comparable across all countries. For this reason, the Economic Concept View typically lists a number of
different codes or definitions at the individual series level that fall within a particular concept grouping. For
each of these codes or definitions, a count of the number of countries for which the series exists is displayed
to the right of the descriptor in the concept selection box. To discover which definitions or codes exist for
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which countries, click on the Availability button, either before or after making country and concept
selections. Multiple concept groupings may be selected using Ctrl-Click or Shift-Click, which will cause
the union of series contained within each of the selected concept groupings to appear in the selection box.
18. Is there a way to select or to create your own country groups for selection?
Yes. Wherever multiple countries may be selected, i.e., in the country selection box within the Economic
Concept View on the Browse Tab or in the country constraints box on the Options Tab, rather than
selecting the countries individually, an entire group of countries can be selected in one step by selecting a
country group. To display the list of pre-defined and personal country groups available, right click within
the country selection box and click on Show Country Groups. This will cause the Country Group dialog to
appear. Individual countries, country aggregates and country groups are listed in the box on the left of this
dialog. Within this list, icons preceding the name are used to distinguish between individual countries
(displayed without an icon), country aggregates (displayed with a sigma icon) and country groups
(displayed with a globe icon). The source column indicates the IFS source database in which the group is
defined. User-defined groups are indicated with Personal in the source column.
To select a country, aggregate or group, click on the element in the list and click on the Add button, or
simply double click on the desired element in the list. This will cause the country, aggregate, or (in the case
of a country group) all countries comprising the group, to be added to the box to the right. Additional
countries, aggregates or groups can then be added in the same way by selecting additional items from the
left list box. Once the list in the box to the right contains the desired list of countries, click on OK to close
the country group dialog and cause the selected countries to be highlighted in the original country selection
box.
To save the list of countries in the box to the right in a personal country group for subsequent use, click on
the Save As button. At the prompt, type the name to be assigned to this country group (or select a
previously assigned name to overwrite an existing group) and click on OK. From this point on, the new
personal group created will be displayed in the left list box, along with the other items. To delete a personal
group, simply click on the personal group in the left list box and press the Delete key. You will be prompted
before the personal group is actually deleted.
19. Does the IMF provide access via the Browser to any statistical databases other than IFS?
Yes. Additional CD-ROM statistical databases are offered for the Balance of Payments Statistics and the
Direction of Trade Statistics publications. Subscribers will be advised of further enhancements as they
become available.
20. Does the browser work on a computer with Windows Vista operating system?
Yes. But, however, the help will not work as the as the Windows Help Program (WinHlp32.exe) is no
longer included with Windows Vista. When the help button (?) is clicked, the Windows Help and Support
screen will prompt the user to download this program from the Microsoft support website.