LIMDEP Applications and Links

Using LIMDEP on VET

LIMDEP can be used in a batch format by simply typing:

This command will invoke a command file -- here called sample. The command file must include the term BATCH in the first line. LIMDEP will then implement the procedures specified in the command file and produce an output file -- here called sample.out. After the progam has completed running, the output file can be viewed with any unix editor. LIMDEP also produces a log type file after each command file has been run entitled trace.lim. Trace.lim will be stored in the same directory as the output file and reflects the log of the program detailing the program itself and any errors encountered in running the program. It should be noted that trace.lim reflects the last program run and consequently changes with each run.

For those who are beginners, the Getting Started with LIMDEP link provides the necessary introductory background to create a command file program, read in ASCII data, and to begin to specify statistical procedures.

LIMDEP Links

LIMDEP is a program developed by econometrician William Greene. The manual for the program as well as a user discussion group can be found at the LIMDEP site. The links are presented below.

• The LIMDEP manual is an extremely useful resource detailing all aspects of the program.
• There is a discussion list for LIMDEP, limdep-l@its.usyd.edu.au ( send your subscribe commands to listserv@its.usyd.edu.au with a SUBSCRIBE limdep-l your_name in the body).
• University of Southern California Statistical Consulting Center provides an indepth introduction to Unix based LIMDEP as well as sample programs

LIMDEP Sample Code

The following LIMDEP programs provide examples of commonly used statistical techniques which are not easily employed in other stastical programs such as SAS or SPSS.

• Poisson and Negative Binomial Models This program reads in an ASCII data set, provides descriptive statistics for each variable, runs a simple regression model, a Poisson model and a Negative Binomial Model
• Ordered Probit Models This program reads in an ASCII data set, provides descriptive statistics for each variable, and runs a series of three ordered probit models.