The use of matrix manipulation programs in teaching statistical methods

An array manipulation package, the Symbolic Matrix Interpretive System and Statistical Interpretive System (SMIS/SIS), is described. Using SMIS/SIS, one can declare matrices and arrays of real or randomly generated data and then manipulate the matrices using simple commands to produce virtually any desired analysis. The package, designed for use by nonprogrammers and programmers alike, features a full complement of matrix algebra operations and a smaller set of statistical functions. The package, while useful as a research tool, is especially useful in teaching statistical methods, particularly multivariate analysis in which the correspondence between mathematical formulas and program code has definite pedagogical advantages over the use of statistical program packages like SPSS, BMDP, and SAS.