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help for isvar
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Filter names into variable names and others

        isvar possiblevarlist


Description

    isvar takes a list of names that might name variables in your dataset and
    filters it into a list of those names that are indeed variable names and
    a list of the others.

    One application of isvar arises when you are moving between similar
    datasets, especially if they are large, but are not sure which variables
    are defined in which dataset. Commands such as describe would fail at the
    first name not in fact a variable name. isvar offers a more direct way to
    establish existence or non-existence of several possible variables.


Saved results 

    r(varlist) names of variables in current dataset
    r(badlist) names that do not correspond to variables in current dataset


Examples

    . isvar mpg rep78 rep77
    . local OKlist "`r(varlist)'"
    . su `OKlist'


Author

    Nicholas J. Cox, Durham University, U.K.
    n.j.cox@durham.ac.uk


Acknowledgements 

    This problem was suggested by Amadou Diallo.


Also see

    Online:  help for describe; unab