TechTalk

State Legislative District Summary Files Support

dot (.) denotes submenu

Overview
Installation
Software Functions:
.Pick Database Set
.Pick Geography
.Output Report
.Display Report
.Simple Variables
.Custom Variables
.Output File
.Display File
End User License Agreement [, 22 KB]
Referring to the file documentation

---

Overview

The Census 2000 Data Engine software is a customized version of SRC's Allocate product. Some of its basic functionality is illustrated below. Refer to the product's Help function for a complete overview of the software's functionality. A more detailed on-line tutorial is also available.

Installing and running the software requires being logged on as either an administrator or a power user if running Windows 2000 or Windows XP. The following procedure can be used to enable the software to be run while logged in as a regular user in these versions of Windows.

Census 2000 Data Engine and Windows 2000 User Rights [, 96 KB]

There are three setup files on the disc : one in the root directory which installs the software and one each in the DataSetupSF1 and DataSetupSF3 folders which install a separate data set.

---

[Back to Top]Installation

• The Introductory Control Panel shown below is automatically displayed.
• Click Install to load the software and perform the database setup. The database setup routine asks whether you want to do a Full Install or Run from Disc.
  • Full Install requires about 4.3 GB of hard drive space.
  • Run from Disc requires only about 9 MB. (Few users require the enhanced performance of Full Install.)
  • You need an internet browser for the off-line display/printing of reports and help pages.
• Installation places the icon on the Desktop.

---

[Back to Top]Software

Pick Database Set

Example: Select the Census SF3 US 2000 108th Database Set from the Workspace tab.

---

[Back to Top]Pick Geography

Example: Select all congressional districts in California.
Procedure: In the Pick Geography window, expand (by left clicking on the + sign to the left of) the Congressional Districts (108th) list and check the California box. (To select one or more specific congressional districts, expand the California list.)

---

[Back to Top]Output Report

Example: Produce Profile of General Demographic Characteristics reports.
Procedure: In the Output window, select the Report output mode, accept the default (DP-2) report template, then click Finish. (Many other report templates for Detailed Tables and Quick Tables are available through Browse).

---

[Back to Top]Display Report

Example: Display or print reports.
Procedure: Your internet browser is used to display and/or print reports.

---

[Back to Top]Simple Variables

Example: Specify Simple Variables to include in an Output File or in a custom report using the Report (Blank) template.
Procedure: In the Simple Variables window, select whole tables or individual data items to be included in an Output File. The Simple Variables selected can also be included in a custom report using the Report (Blank) template.

Geographic identifiers can also be selected from this screen by clicking on the + sign to the left of Geographic Identifiers. If more than one area type from the Pick Geography tab was selected, it will be necessary to select the geographic identifier variable Sumlev.

---

[Back to Top]Custom Variables

Example: Specify Custom Variables to include in an Output File or in a custom report using the Report (Blank) template.
Procedure: In the Custom Variables window, create new variables derived from Simple Variables. Include Custom Variables in an Output File or in a custom report using the Report (Blank) template.

---

[Back to Top]Output File

Example: Specify the name and type of an Output File.
Procedure: In the Output window, select the File output mode, specify the file name and type, and click Finish. This example uses the CSV type (comma-separated values).

The rows consist of selections made from the Pick Geography tab. The columns consist of geographic identifiers and other variable selections from the Simple Variables tab.

---

[Back to Top]Display File

Example: Display the Output File.
Procedure: The Census Data Engine software does not contain functionality to display an Output File. This is done through companion software. In this example, Microsoft Excel is installed on the computer and the operating system is configured to automatically launch Excel for CSV files.

---

[Back to Top]Using the file documentation as a reference

The 108th Congressional Districts file documentation is contained in files named cd108h.pdf and cd108s.pdf, for the SF1 and SF3 based data sets respectively, on the disc. The following are some suggested uses of these files for reference.

Chapter 4 Summary Level Sequence Chart can be used to find complete descriptions of area types (for which summary data is available) that you can select from the Pick Geography tab. Codes for each element making up the complete summary level description will appear as part of a field labeled KEY in output files created by the software. These codes can also be outputted to separate fields in output files by selecting the Simple Variables tab and then clicking on the + sign to the left of Geographic Identifiers.

Chapter 7 Data Dictionary Identification Section contains descriptions of all of the geographic identifiers. Appendix A contains definitions of all geographic terms.

Chapter 3 Subject Locator can be used as an aid in finding tables that appear in the Simple Variables tab. This chapter is also useful in making sure tables which may be of interest are not overlooked. The Table Matrix section of Chapter 7 Data Dictionary can be used to see a complete description of a table, including additional headings (such as the Universe) as well as all of the data items.