st: Categorize variable with percentile valor of other variable

[Xavi Barber <xbarber@altern.org>]

Dear statalisters:

I have a programming doubt.

This is my program:

********************************************************
	pctile varPCT=var if var2==XXX,  nq(4)

	scalar p25=r(r1)
	scalar p50=r(r2)
	scalar p75=r(r2)

	egen var4c=cut(var), at(p25, p50, p75)

	scalar drop p25 p50 p75
	drop varPCT

********************************************************

But Stata return a error --> "  at (..) invalid  "

I think in a new program but I don't like it.

***********************************************************
	pctile varPCT=var if var2==XXX,  nq(4)

	scalar p25=r(r1)
	scalar p50=r(r2)
	scalar p75=r(r2)

	gen var4c=1 if var<p25
	replace var4c=2 if (var>=p25 & car<p50)
	replace var4c=3 if (var>=p5 & car<p75)
	replace var4c=4 if (var>=p75)

	scalar drop p25 p50 p75
	drop varPCT
***********************************************************

My question is: Which is the best method to categorize variable with 
percentile of other variable????

Thanks


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