Re: st: Macros and dummy variables

[Richard Goldstein <richgold@ix.netcom.com>]

First, note that the code you show will not give you dummy variables -- rather 
it will give you variables with values of 1 if meets the condition and missing 
otherwise.

The easiest solution for what you show is to use tabulate with the gen() option.

If you want to use the type of code you show, use -forval-:
forval i=1/40 {
	gen dummy`i'=nearesthospital==`i'
}

Rich

Mosca, Ilaria wrote:

> Dear Statalisters,
>
> I have the following dummies 
> gen dummy1 = 1 if nearesthospital ==1
> gen dummy2 = 1 if nearesthospital ==2
> gen dummy3 = 1 if nearesthospital ==3
> gen dummy4 = 1 if nearesthospital ==4
> gen dummy5 = 1 if nearesthospital ==5
> Etc. etc.
>
> The number of dummies that have to be generated are up to 40 or more. I
> was thus thinking of creating a local macro for generating the dummies
> and avoiding typing the commands every single time. I read the macro
> section on the Stata User's Guide, but unfortunately cannot see how to
> apply the explanations to the above-mentioned case. Any idea?
>
> Thank you very much,
> Ilaria
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