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All variables except wvars and ivars have a length associated with them.

The length of a variable is determined by the first definition of the variable and it cannot subsequently be changed. All redefinitions of svars and mvars must define the correct number of responses.

When an svar or mvar is tabulated, the length determines the number of rows or columns on the table, not including the totals.

A col has a length of 12, one bit for each code.

A field has a length that is the number of data locations in the field.

A spreadfield has a length that is the number of data locations in the field. It also has a repeat count that is the maximum number of responses which can stored. The maximum response number that can be stored is determined by the width, for example, 99 for $123-124*33

A colbin always has a length of 4095.

Svars and mvars have lengths corresponding to the number of possible responses in the definition. The length may be between 1 and 30000.

A cvar has a length corresponding to the number of characters stored. The length may be up to 2000.