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How do you Stata?

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Type »
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Statistical software any way you want it.

Whatever method you choose, we've got you covered.
Plus, we have flexible licensing options to accommodate your needs.

Point-and-click

With Stata's graphical user interface (GUI), you can access all of Stata's data management, statistical, and analysis features from the menus and associated dialogs.

The GUI allows you to discover features you never knew existed and helps make commands easier to learn by showing you the command and the proper syntax in the Review window. If you need help issuing a command, simply open up the dialog box for it, and it will show you the way.

The same tools Stata uses to create its GUI are available to you as well. You can extend the GUI by creating your own dialogs and adding your own menus. There are also many preferences for adjusting the layout of windows, the fonts, the colors, and more.

Stata's GUI is available not just in English but also in Spanish and Japanese.


Learn more about Stata's GUI »

Type

Stata has a simple, consistent command syntax.

As you learn more commands in Stata, you can save yourself time by typing these commands directly into the Command window.

Commands have a consistent and predictable syntax, whether the command fits a model, produces descriptive statistics, or performs a data management task.

. summarize age income
. tabulate age
. logit outcome gender status if age > 29

. scatter income educ if state == "Texas"
. drop if age <= 29

. by gender: tabulate case exposure
. by agegrp: summarize income hours

One of the easiest commands to remember is help. If you type help my topic, Stata will search its keywords, indices, and even community-contributed packages for information.

Learn more about Stata's command syntax »

Program

Some Stata users live productive lives without ever programming Stata. After all, you do not need to know how to program Stata to import data, create new variables, and fit models.

Programming Stata is easy. Stata's programmability is one of its best features.

Stata has two programming languages. One, known informally as "ado", is based on Stata's commands. You can write scripts and programs to create reproducible analyses. You can even add new features to Stata.

There is another language—Mata. It is a fast, byte-compiled language with extensive matrix capabilities. What's more, it is fully integrated with every aspect of Stata. Run commands. Fetch their results. Manipulate data. Every aspect of Stata.

The two languages interact seamlessly with each other. You can call Mata functions from ado-programs, and you can call ado-programs from Mata functions.

You can learn more from our two web-based NetCourses on Stata programming:

We also recommend Christopher F. Baum's book An Introduction to Stata Programming.

Flexible licensing

We have options for students as well as professionals. You can purchase a perpetual license for Stata that never expires. Don't need it that long? A term license may be for you. Need Stata for an entire department? Contact us for information on site licenses.

To get started, see our online pricing. Or if you would like some guidance, tell us a little about yourself, or give us a call.