st: Manipulation of string variable using -regexm-

["STOLOWY, Herve" <stolowy@hec.fr>]

Dear Statalisters:

Using Stata 12.1, I want to extract a portion of a string variable using
regular expressions, i.e. -regexs- and -regexm-.

My string variable has different possible values. Example:

A
A *
A *-
A *+
B
B *
B *-
B *+
etc.

I would like to get a variable with the content filled with the * or *- or
*+ or with this type of coding:

0 if not star
1 if only *
2 if *-
3 if *+

The * or *- or *+ always appear at the end on the value.

I tried the following syntax:

gen var_star =3D regexs(0) if(regexm(CurrRtg, "\*" "\*+" "\*-"))

Unfortunately, I get a * in all cases there is a * included in the value,
but I do not get the *- or *+.

I have difficulties with the syntax of -regexm-.

There is maybe another way to get the same result.

Best regards

Herve Stolowy
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