SPSS is the first choice for the occasional user. SPSS is clearly designed for point-and-click usage on the GUI. A command structure exists, but it is not well defined and sometimes inconsistent. SPSS is good for basic data management and basic statistical analysis, but rather weak in graphics. In the future, SPSS might be the weakest of the four packages  (SAS, STATA, R) with regard to the scope of statistical procedures it offers due to its main focus on business customers.

Stata is designed for the usage by command line, but it also offers a GUI that allows for working with menus. The simple and consistent command structure makes it rather easy to learn. It is the cheapest of the packages that entail costs, and it offers additional reductions for the educational sector. Stata is relatively weak on ANOVA, but extraordinary on regression analysis and complex survey designs. Stata is completely focused on scholars. In the future, Stata may have the strongest collection of advanced statistical procedures.

i know.thanks. 2# eblog

stata非常强大的，SPSS这种傻瓜软件实在不能与之相提并论的，呵呵。stata应该还是比较好学的。

Stata在处理面板数据方面相当好，强烈推荐。

如果有比较好的统计基础，又学好了Stata，根本就无需再专门学习SPSS。我不是说SPSS无用，而是指SPSS都是菜单操作，比较简单，稍微看看也就会用了