9  Special arrangements for other software

• By default, the FDZ only offers analyses with Stata, both on-site and via remote data access. In exceptional cases, however, other software (e.g. GNU-Octave or R) can be made available. If you require other software, please contact the FDZ well in advance.

• When using software other than Stata, the general rule is that all data preparation and analysis steps which are possible in Stata should be executed in Stata.

• Also use master and log files for the special software analyses. The corresponding programming templates are available from the FDZ on request.

• When using software other than Stata, the guidelines for the design of the programme files also apply (see Chapter 3). Excluded from this is only the rule that no manual deletions are made by the FDZ team. As it is not possible for users to check the results in advance, the FDZ team will make manual deletions as an exception.

• Since it is not possible to use special software via JoSuA, scripts for controlled remote data execution must be sent by e-mail to iab.fdz@iab.de. Please consider the following details:

  • In order to process your orders, we need you to state the project specifications in the subject line of every email (see Box 1)

  • Newly submitted files will overwrite existing files if they have the same file name.

  • Please already point out in the subject line under Other what must be taken into consideration when working with the programs (e.g. “GNU-Octave”).

  • Please note that we will send back requests unprocessed if relevant information is missing from the subject line or the format requirements have not been complied with.

  • Please do not send in a new programme before you have received your previous results for this project. Also, please do not use JoSuA in the Presentation / Publication Mode in this period.

• Before on-site visits:

  • Programme files that you want to use on-site can be uploaded to JoSuA via Transfers.

• After on-site visits:

  • After on-site use, the FDZ team will not return the results generated during the stay but instead run the corresponding scripts again. Therefore, please make sure that master file and the other programme files are fully executable.

  • If you wish to receive results after your on-site use period, please send an email to the FDZ mailbox (see Box 1). Add “after on-site use” to the subject line and specify in the email the date of the on-site use period and the output files you would like us to send you.

  • We will then run your master file and provide you with the reviewed results generated by your programmes.

  • Scripts that you have created or edited during your on-site visit can be uploaded to JoSuA via “Transfers”.

• Working with special software cannot be offered in remote desktop. Results generated in remote desktop must be validated regularly in JoSuA (see Section 6.3), but JoSuA does not support special software.

Below is an example for a subject line of email for remote data execution using other software

Project number – required memory – expected running time – end date of contract – Other (yyyy-mm-dd = date in year-month-day format)

fdz###, # GB, # hours/days, yyyy-mm-dd, [Other]

Examples:

fdz0041, 3 GB, 14 h, 2025-01-31, R

fdz0041, 3 GB, 14 h, 2025-01-31, after on-site use on 2025-01-30, GNU-Octave