Differences in the /IMPORTCASE=... subcommand between SPSS and PSPP

[Charles Johnson]

Hi, this is a question about the functioning of the subcommand 
/IMPORTCASE=PERCENT %. PSPP just choose the percentage of the first cases of 
the file, On the other hand, SPSS randomly choose the percentage of cases in 
the data file.

The difference between FIRST and PERCENT subtype  is that the second randomizes 
the data. In the unlikely event of having a file of 100 cases, PSPP generate 
the same data file using the subcommand: /IMPORTCASE=FIRST 50 & 
/IMPORTCASE=PERCENT 50.

Is this a deliberate behavior?

In my case, I use the PERCENT subtype to create multiple data files with random 
cases from the same source.

cheers

CJT