I discuss the code for a simple estimation command to focus on the details of how to implement an estimation command. The command that I discuss estimates the mean by the sample average. I begin by reviewing the formulas and a do-file that implements them. I subsequently introduce ado-file programming and discuss two versions of the command. Along the way, I illustrate some of the postestimation features that work after the command.
This is the fourth post in the series Programming an estimation command in Stata. I recommend that you start at the beginning. See Programming an estimation command in Stata: A map to posted entries for a map to all the posts in this series. Read more…
I discuss a pair of examples that illustrate the differences between global macros and local macros. You can view this post as a technical appendix to the previous post in the #StataProgramming series, which introduced global macros and local macros.
In every command I write, I use local macros to store stuff in a workspace that will not alter a user’s data and to make my code easier to read. A good understanding of the differences between global macros and local macros helps me to write better code. The essential differences between global macros and local macros can be summarized in two points. Read more…
If you tell me “I program in Stata”, it makes me happy, but I do not know what you mean. Do you write scripts to make your research reproducible, or do you write Stata commands that anyone can use and reuse? In the series #StataProgramming, I will show you how to write your own commands, but I start at the beginning. Discussing the difference between scripts and commands here introduces some essential programming concepts and constructions that I use to write scripts and commands.
This is the second post in the series Programming an estimation command in Stata. I recommend that you start at the beginning. See Programming an estimation command in Stata: A map to posted entries for a map to all the posts in this series. Read more…