Re: st: Hello all (Out of the Office from 9/20-9/24)

[Marisa Wilson <MWILSOA@jhmi.edu>]

I will be out of the office from 9/20-9/24.
If you need assistance with ORMIS, please call the ORMIS pager at
410-434-0065.

Thanks,



>>> "statalist@hsphsun2.harvard.edu" 09/18/04 11:16 >>>

I have a problem in trying to convert an alpha character to real. I have

converted the data from spss to stata using stat transfer, but one of 
the numeric variables has na positioned for all of the "na" measures. I 
can see the actual values since when I run sum by a grouping command 
they appear. I'm a bit rusty in stata now, and I do recall that I could 
use the function real to convert the alpha characteris to their actual 
numeric values. I cannot seem to get the real command to work.

Perhaps if there is someone out there who might recall this procedure, I

would be appreciative.

Here is what happens:


. tab hours

  enter the |
  number of |
      hours |
 written on |
        the |
questionnai |
  re in the |
space here. |
     enter  |      Freq.     Percent        Cum.
------------+-----------------------------------
         na |          1       25.00       25.00
         na |          1       25.00       50.00
         na |          1       25.00       75.00
         na |          1       25.00      100.00
------------+-----------------------------------
      Total |          4      100.00


when I try to convert these to real numbers it does this:


. real("hours")
unrecognized command:  real
r(199);

I have been unable to find the real command in the handbooks, so I 
thought I might ask more skilled persons here.

The actual numbers are these:

. sort secnum

. by secnum: sum hours

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-> secnum = 1 cathy

    Variable |       Obs        Mean    Std. Dev.       Min        Max
-------------+--------------------------------------------------------
       hours |         1          89           .         89         89

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-> secnum = 2 hassan

    Variable |       Obs        Mean    Std. Dev.       Min        Max
-------------+--------------------------------------------------------
       hours |         1          12           .         12         12

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-> secnum = 3 freddi

    Variable |       Obs        Mean    Std. Dev.       Min        Max
-------------+--------------------------------------------------------
       hours |         1          24           .         24         24

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-> secnum = 9

    Variable |       Obs        Mean    Std. Dev.       Min        Max
-------------+--------------------------------------------------------
       hours |         1          23           .         23         23



If anyone can show me what mistakes I'm making I will be in your debt.

Thanks

jon ebeling
csu, chico

.




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