st: USE13 - command to load Stata-13 datasets into older versions of Stata (v10-v12)

[Sergiy Radyakin <serjradyakin@gmail.com>]

Thanks to Kit Baum, a new Stata command written by Sergiy Radyakin is
now available from the SSC archives:

Stata is backward compatible, it will read data saved by all previous
versions of Stata. However the reverse is not true, older versions
generally do not read data saved with more recent versions of Stata.

USE13 - the command will import Stata-13 formatted data into earlier
versions thus helping researchers who are using older versions of
Stata, but need to load the data produced by Stata 13 (e.g. by their
colleagues who have upgraded) during the transition period. The
assumptions and limitations for conversion are described in the
support page: http://radyakin.org/transfer/use13/use13.htm

The command's syntax is (note lower case command name):
use13 filename.dta

To install -use13- type in Stata's command prompt:
findit use13
or
ssc install use13

Individual files and the author's contact information are available
from the following web page:
http://econpapers.repec.org/software/bocbocode/S457667.htm

For a similar command that allows Stata 10 datasets to be read in Stata 9:
findit use10
or consult here:
http://radyakin.org/transfer/use13/use10.htm

Note, if Stata 13 is available, a proper way of making the data accessible
for earlier versions is to use the Stata's own -saveold- command:
http://www.stata.com/help.cgi?saveold

For other version compatibility questions consult:
http://www.stata.com/support/faqs/data-management/save-for-previous-version/

Best, Sergiy Radyakin
*
*   For searches and help try:
*   http://www.stata.com/help.cgi?search
*   http://www.stata.com/support/faqs/resources/statalist-faq/
*   http://www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/stata/