Even Stata user-programmers tend to start writing
programs using a new version's features pretty soon as it
is released. Sometimes that's essential for what
they want to do; sometimes it is just more congenial
to use improved language features. We are now some way
into the lifetime of Stata 8 and it's a sad fact that
those still on previous versions are increasingly
left behind in terms of being able to use the
full range of Stata add-ons.
As a sidelight, those who are at the mercy of others for software updates
may care most about version 8.2 versus 8.0. Despite several appeals from
me, I've received no indication yet as to when or if campus cluster
machines will be updated from classic Stata 8.0, Jan. 2003. My guess is
that, with a few exceptions, most routines written that specify 8.2 would
also work fine on 8.0.
