A standard task in data management is producing a list of variable names showing which variables have specific properties, such as being of string type, or having value labels attached, or having a date format. A first-principles strategy is to loop over variables, checking one by one which have the property or properties concerned. I discuss this strategy in detail with a variety of examples. A canned alternative is offered by the official command ds or by a new command, findname, published formally with this column.
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CoxN. J.2002. Speaking Stata: How to face lists with fortitude. Stata Journal2: 202–222.
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CoxN. J.2003a. Software update for nmissing and npresent. Stata Journal3: 349.
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CoxN. J.2003b. Stata tip 2: Building with floors and ceilings. Stata Journal3: 446–447.
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CoxN. J.2005. Software update for nmissing and npresent. Stata Journal5: 607.
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CoxN. J.2007a. Speaking Stata: Counting groups, especially panels. Stata Journal7: 571–581.
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CoxN. J.2007b. Speaking Stata: Making it count. Stata Journal7: 117–130.
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CoxN. J.2007c. Stata tip 50: Efficient use of summarize. Stata Journal7: 438–439.
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CoxN. J.2007d. Stata tip 51: Events in intervals. Stata Journal7: 440–443.
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RisingB.2010. Stata tip 86: The missing() function. Stata Journal10: 303–304.
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WeissM.2008. Stata tip 66: ds—A hidden gem. Stata Journal8: 448–449.
