3. The syntax of -for- is idiosyncratic. Much of what you
learn is not transferable to other Stata commands, and vice
versa. The "arbitrary syntax" of \ as separator is awkward
(and confusing whenever that is needed for other meanings).
In contrast, -foreach- and -forvalues- are much closer
to the mainstream of Stata thinking and style. This is
equally important, albeit for slightly different reasons,
to those learning Stata and/or using it only occasionally
and to more advanced or more intensive users.
The other point that must be made is that Stata users do not exist in a
vacuum; many may use other programming languages or packages which have
their own programming language ('matrix' languages such as MATLAB, Ox,
GAUSS). Most programming languages in common use today have a loop
construct that resembles foreach and/or forvalues, with a bracketed
expression containing one or more commands to be repeated. Experience in
using these constructs carries over from experience in other contexts, and
vice versa. This is important for users who are trying to say coherent
things in multiple environments, as many of us are. The structure of -for-
is quite idiosyncratic to Stata, and 'for' that reason I find it less
useful (to say nothing of the wailing and gnashing of teeth that accompany
trying to use it for a nested loop!)
