# sample command

The sample command creates a temporary select-list of the first
 *n* items in a file that match the specified criteria. This command is useful
 when testing a small number of items. For example, testing 100 items in a file rather than the
 entire file.

The sample command creates a temporary select-list containing the first
 *n* item-IDs of the items specified in the item-list or the selection
 criteria. The items referenced by the select-list are processed by the next command
 executed.

 CAUTION: Only the statement immediately following the sample
 command has access to the select-list. You must use the select-list immediately or you will lose
 it.

 To permanently save the select-list, use the save-list
 command. When a select-list is saved, you can retrieve it at any time with the
 get-list command.

 A select-list can reference data in any file, not just the file specified in the original
 sample statement. If two files have similar items with the same item-IDs,
 you can create a select-list from one file, then use it to operate on items from the other
 file.

## Syntax

```
 ssample [DICT] filename [item-list] [selection] [output] (n)
```

## Parameter(s)

| DICT | Specifies the file dictionary. |
| --- | --- |
| filename | The name of the file. |
| item-list | A list of individual item-IDs that you want to select or compare against specified criteria. Enclose each item-ID in single quotes. This parameter overrides n. |
| selection | Specifies one or more conditions that an item must meet to be included in the select-list. For a complete description of selection expression syntax, see the list command information. |
| output | The name of an attribute whose values are to be selected. Each value becomes a separate item-ID in the select-list. |
| n | The number of items to sample. |

## Example(s)

The following example creates a select-list containing the first four items in the ORDERS file
 whose sale date is January 15, 2018:

```
>SAMPLE ORDERS WITH DATE = "01/15/18" (4)
4 ITEMS SELECTED.
```

 If you list these items with the list command, they appear in sorted
 order:

```
>LIST ORDERS

0179
0134
0234
0156

4 ITEMS LISTED.
```

## See also

- [get-list command](https://d3codex.com/tcl/get-list-command/)
- [list command](https://d3codex.com/access/list-command/)
- [save-list command](https://d3codex.com/tcl/save-list-command/)
- [ssample command](https://d3codex.com/tcl/ssample-command/)

---
Source: https://d3codex.com/tcl/sample-command/ - part of the D3Codex reference.