I would not call this a bug. -syntax [varname]- is a special case of
-syntax [varlist]-. If no variables are specified then all variables
in the dataset are used (as is documented in -help syntax-). Since
[varname] only allows one variable, error is returned if the data
contain more than one variable.
[I agree that this is somewhat disturbing. In my opinion, the default
should be to use no variables if no variables are specified and then
have a "default=all" option, to change that if needed.]
Specify
syntax [varname(default=none)]
if you want to allow the program to be used without specifying a variable.
ben
On Thu, May 22, 2008 at 11:24 PM, Rodrigo Alfaro A. <ralfaro@bcentral.cl> wrote:
> .
>
> Using [varlist] instead of [varname] works
> RA
>
>
>
> -----Mensaje original-----
> De: owner-statalist@hsphsun2.harvard.edu
> [mailto:owner-statalist@hsphsun2.harvard.edu] En nombre de Sergiy
> Radyakin
> Enviado el: Jueves, 22 de Mayo de 2008 05:18 p.m.
> Para: statalist@hsphsun2.harvard.edu
> Asunto: st: Beware of Stata's Syntax
>
> Dear All,
>
> I wonder if this is an intended behaviour (quite dangerous from my point
> of view) or just a bug?
>
> // --- Begin of file SyntaxBug.do ---
>
> program drop _all
> drop _all
>
> generate VariableThatShouldNotBeUsed=.
>
> program define SyntaxBug
> syntax [varname]
> di `"`varlist'"'
> end
>
> SyntaxBug
>
> generate JustAnotherVariable=.
>
> SyntaxBug
>
> // --- End of file SyntaxBug.do ---
>
> If this is not an intended behaviour then it is actually two bugs in
> one, since under some conditions the program will process the variable
> that the user DID NOT specify (first call in the program above), and
> under other conditions it will refuse to work though it supposedly
> should (second call in the program above).
>
> If this is intended (may be there is an explanation) then it goes
> against the documentation, saying anything in [ ] is optional.
>
> Thank you,
> Sergiy Radyakin
> *
> * For searches and help try:
> * http://www.stata.com/support/faqs/res/findit.html
> * http://www.stata.com/support/statalist/faq
> * http://www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/stata/
>
> ********************************************************************************
> ADVERTENCIA: La información contenida en esta transmisión, y en cualquier archivo adjunto, está sujeta a reserva legal conforme a la normativa aplicable al Banco Central de Chile, y no puede ser usada o difundida por personas distintas de su o sus destinatarios. Si usted ha recibido esta transmisión por error, por favor notifique inmediatamente al remitente respondiendo por este mismo medio y elimínela de su sistema.
> El Banco Central de Chile no se hará responsable de la exactitud y veracidad de la información contenida en este mensaje, así como de su modificación, copia, divulgación o reenvío, total o parcial. Su uso no autorizado puede ser sancionado de conformidad con las leyes chilenas.
> El Banco Central de Chile transmite sus decisiones a través de comunicados oficiales, los que pone a disposición del público en su página de Internet: www.bcentral.cl
>
>
> DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this email or any attached file, is subject to legal privilege pursuant to the laws and regulations applicable to the Central Bank of Chile , and may not be used or disseminated by any person other than its intended recipients. If you have received this transmission in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply to this email address and delete it from your system.
> The Central Bank of Chile shall not be liable for the accuracy or authenticity of the contents of this message, whether amended, copied, forwarded or disclosed in any form, in whole or in part. Please note that unauthorized use may be penalized in conformity with the Chilean law.
> The Central Bank of Chile communicates its decisions by official releases, and
> makes them available to the public in its WebPages: www.bcentral.cl
>
> *
> * For searches and help try:
> * http://www.stata.com/support/faqs/res/findit.html
> * http://www.stata.com/support/statalist/faq
> * http://www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/stata/
>
*
* For searches and help try:
* http://www.stata.com/support/faqs/res/findit.html
* http://www.stata.com/support/statalist/faq
* http://www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/stata/
