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Speaking Stata: Finding variables

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  • Nicholas J. Cox

    (Durham University, UK)

Abstract

A standard task in data management is producing a list of variable names showing which variables have specific properties, such as being of string type, or having value labels attached, or having a date format. A first-principles strategy is to loop over variables, checking one by one which have the property or properties concerned. I discuss this strategy in detail with a variety of examples. A canned alternative is offered by the official command ds or by a new command, findname, published formally with this column. Copyright 2010 by StataCorp LP.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicholas J. Cox, 2010. "Speaking Stata: Finding variables," Stata Journal, StataCorp LP, vol. 10(2), pages 281-296, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:tsj:stataj:v:10:y:2010:i:2:p:281-296
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Bill Rising, 2010. "Stata tip 86: The missing() function," Stata Journal, StataCorp LP, vol. 10(2), pages 303-304, June.
    2. Martin Weiss, 2008. "Stata tip 66: ds- A hidden gem," Stata Journal, StataCorp LP, vol. 8(3), pages 448-449, September.
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