Thanks to Kit Baum, a package -stylerules- has been
added to SSC. This package is no more than a single
help file, stylerules.hlp, with suggestions on
Stata programming style. Thus if you write, and
particularly if you intend to make public, any Stata
programs you may find it of use or interest.
Given an up-to-date Stata supporting -ssc-, you
can install it by
. ssc inst stylerules
or you could type it without installing it by
. ssc type stylerules.hlp
This document is designed to encourage reflection on,
and discussion of, what constitutes good style in Stata
programming. In essence, I couldn't find what I wanted
to read, so I ended by compiling it myself, largely from
study of Stata's own ado files.
The document has evolved intermittently: a much earlier version
was once posted on Statalist. It has benefitted especially
from comments made by Kit Baum, Bill Gould, Alan Riley
and Vince Wiggins. The usual disclaimers apply.
In due course a version of these style suggestions
will also be posted on the Stata Journal website
as guidance for authors and reviewers.
I welcome comments.
Nick
[email protected]
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