This is one of those problems that only arises out of human error.
Nonetheless, Stata is set up to allow this mistake to go unchecked.
Consider the following example...
Suppose a variable currently exists with the name "abcdefg" and one
wants to condition on a different variable, abcde, such that one runs a
command only for abcde == 1. If abcde has not been created (i.e. human
error, the creation of this variable having been overlooked), the
command "reg y1 x1 x2 if abcde == 1" would actually be run conditional
on abcdefg == 1, not abcde == 1.
I suppose the idea behind allowing shortened varnames is one of
convenience. However, this seems like more trouble than it is worth.
Is there a way to toggle between allowing such shortened names and not?
A permanent fix would be even better.
____________________________________
Glen R. Waddell
Department of Economics
1285 University of Oregon
Eugene, OR 97403-1285
phone: (541) 346-1259
fax: (541) 346-1243
http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~waddell
[email protected]
*
* For searches and help try:
* http://www.stata.com/support/faqs/res/findit.html
* http://www.stata.com/support/statalist/faq
* http://www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/stata/
