For users of DRI and Eviews, Eviews 3.1 has included the ability to directly retrieve DRI data into an Eviews database. This feature allows the user to map single DRI databanks to an Eviews database and then retrieve individual series using a query.

Configuring Eviews

In order to take advantage of this feature, DRI must first be configured and working properly. Once this is accomplished, launch Eviews 3.1. Under the File > New menu, click on Database. In the resulting dialog box, change "Database type" to "Link to Remote S&P/DRI Database". The dialog box will change and request additional information. Enter the name of the Eviews database to be created in the "Database name or path:" field. Under "DRI link charcteristics," set the "Connection name" to default and type in the name of the desired DRI databank in the "DRI Databank" field. It is not necessary to set a password in the "Local Password" field. Click the OK button to click the database.

Accessing DRI Data

Once created, DRI series data can be retrieved into the database through the Query and EasyQuery buttons. For example, to retrieve the "sctelld" series into an Eviews database connected to the Sandp DRI databank, click on the EasyQuery button. In the "name MATCHES" field, type in "sctelld". After choosing any desired options, click OK. Eviews will then automatically connect to the remote DRI server and retrieve the series.

Eviews, DRI, and Special Characters

Many DRI series names contain characters that are illegal or reserved within Eviews. To address this problem, Eviews allows the substitution of valid characters that are then remapped when Eviews connects to the DRI data service. For example, the series name containing the @ symbol is invalid with Eviews. Eviews has mapped the underscore character to replace it. Therefore, when performing a query to retrieve a DRI series named "SP500@60", the "name MATCHES" field should be filled in as "SP500_60". When connecting to the DRI database, Eviews will then automatically convert the underscore to "@". For more information on handling illegal Eviews characters in DRI series names, consult the Eviews’ User Guide or Eviews help menu.