Treat non-numeric as missing for continuous columns about web-codebook HOT 6 CLOSED

Specifying a non-numeric column (like "Site" below) as numeric definitely creates unexpected output:

I think we probably just want to treat non-numeric values as missing in this case, but am interested in input from others. @bzkrouse @samussiah What do you think?

from web-codebook.

NaNs are maybe not ideal, but happy enough with the implementation below. Feedback welcome of course.

from web-codebook.

@jwildfire Would it make sense to ignore the metadata specification in this case?

from web-codebook.

I don't think we can really ignore a user specification. I can see an example where the variable has to be numeric (because of whatever specification) and non-numerics should be treated as missing ...

The user can always change the variable back to 'automatic' or 'categorical' type at any time.

from web-codebook.

Test Notes

Confirm that non-numeric variables are treated as missing when type is set to "continuous". This can be tested on any data set in CAT by toggling a character variable ("RACE", "SEX", etc) to a type of "continuous" on the settings page, and then viewing the missing values as shown in the screenshot above.

from web-codebook.

Works as expected

from web-codebook.