Many solutions posted to newsgroups or to SPSS AnswerNet start with something like

DATA LIST LIST /a b c.
BEGIN DATA
1 2 3
4 1 5
END DATA.

The purpose of the lines above is to create a data file (that is to insert data in the data editor). This allows the syntax which follows that code to run. Without data, syntax cannot work its magic ;-)

So when you see solutions which start with DATA LIST or INPUT PROGRAM, do the following:

StepHow?
Select the entire solution, copy it.Control+C to copy, Control+V to paste
Paste it in an empty Syntax window andTo open a new Syntax Window, use the menu:File>New>Syntax(or click on  button 2).
Run it.Using the menu of Syntax Window:  Run>All(or click on button 16).