help mata
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Title
[M-0] intro -- Introduction to the Mata manual
Contents
Section Description
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[M-1] Introduction and advice
[M-2] Language definition
[M-3] Commands for controlling Mata
[M-4] Index and guide to functions
[M-5] Functions
[M-6] Mata glossary of common terms
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Description
Mata is a matrix programming language that can be used by those who want
to perform matrix calculations interactively and by those who want to add
new features to Stata.
Remarks
This manual is divided into six sections. Each section is organized
alphabetically, but there is an introduction in front that will help you
get around.
If you are new to Mata, here is a helpful reading list: start by reading
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[M-1] first Introduction and first session
[M-1] interactive Using Mata interactively
[M-1] how How Mata works
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You may find other things in section [M-1] that interest you. For a
table of contents, see
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[M-1] intro Introduction and advice
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Whenever you see a term that you are unfamiliar with, see
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[M-6] glossary Mata glossary of common terms
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Now that you know the basics, if you are interested, you can look deeper
into Mata's programming features:
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[M-2] syntax Mata language grammar and syntax
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[M-2] syntax is pretty dense reading, but it summarizes nearly
everything. The other entries in [M-2] repeat what is said there but
with more explanation; see
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[M-2] intro Language definition
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because other entries in [M-2] will interest you. If you are interested
in object-oriented programming, be sure to see [M-2] class.
Along the way, you will eventually be guided to sections [M-4] and [M-5].
[M-5] documents Mata's functions; the alphabetical order makes it easy to
find a function if you know its name but makes learning what functions
there are hopeless. That is the purpose of [M-4] -- to present the
functions in logical order. See
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[M-4] intro Index and guide to functions
Mathematical
[M-4] matrix Matrix functions
[M-4] solvers Matrix solvers and inverters
[M-4] scalar Scalar functions
[M-4] statistical Statistical functions
[M-4] mathematical Other important functions
Utility and manipulation
[M-4] standard Functions to create standard matrices
[M-4] utility Matrix utility functions
[M-4] manipulation Matrix manipulation functions
Stata interface
[M-4] stata Stata interface functions
String, I/O, and programming
[M-4] string String functions
[M-4] io I/O functions
[M-4] programming Programming functions
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Also see
Manual: [M-0] intro
Help: [M-1] first; [M-6] glossary
