st: Testing for variable type

[Bryce Mason <bmason5@lmu.edu>]

Listers,

Anyone know of a function that can be used to return variable type?  
For example, I'd like to get a return value on a variable and, if it  
is numeric, convert it to string. Something like "vartype" the  
following pseudocode:

variables: major1 (string), major2 (string), major3 (numeric, since it  
happens to be empty this year)

foreach x in major1 major2 major3 {;
if vartype(`x') is numeric {;
	gen temp=string(`x');
	drop `x';
	rename temp `x';
};


Any thoughts?

Best,

Bryce


Bryce Mason, Ph.D.
Director of Institutional Research
Loyola Marymount University
1 LMU Drive | Los Angeles, CA 90045

b:	4823 University Hall
w:	(310) 258-8838
f:	(310) 338-1841
e:	bmason5@lmu.edu



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