Stata 5: Where should I keep my ado-files?

You should NOT place them anywhere inside the Stata directory (or folder). These are for official Stata ado-files only, and, when there is an update, we may overwrite your commands if we include a new command with the same name as one of your commands.

DOS, Windows, Windows 95, and Windows NT

Stata will automatically search the C:\ADO directory as well as the current directory. In order to make your ado-file programs accessible, you should place them in the C:\ADO directory. The C:\ADO is better than the current directory as it is accessible no matter which directory you switch to during a session.

Macintosh

Stata will automatically search the Ado folder (if it exists) inside the folder that contains the Stata folder as well as the current folder. In order to make your ado-file programs accessible, you should place them in the Ado folder. The Ado is better than the current folder as it is accessible no matter which folder you switch to during a session. Example: The Stata folder was installed into the Applications folder. You should create a folder called Ado in the Applications folder and save your programs there.

Unix

Stata will automatically search the ~/ado directory as well as the current directory. In order to make your ado-file programs accessible, you should place them in the ~/ado directory. The ~/ado is better than the current directory as it is accessible no matter which directory you switch to during a session. If you have ado-files that would benefit all (or some) of the users on your system, then Stata will also search the /usr/local/ado directory as well. You may need to contact your system administrator if you do not have the proper permissions to save your files in this directory.