Re: st: creating unique identifier values

[Suzy <scott_788@wowway.com>]

Thank you all for the coding information! I appreciate it immensely.

I should have qualified my request for "unique identifiers" since for 
this variable (obs) -  it isn't strictly necessary (although it would be 
nice).  I do have a true unique identifier id (1-910) which is ordered 
1-910 by subject 1-26/attribute 1-35. The obs var will only be used to 
keep additional track of manual  input of binary values (0's and 1's) 
from printouts - eg. I'll know for example that id#600 = obs 213 and  is 
probably subject #21 attribute#3 and not subject #2 attribute #13. I'm 
certain that this might be considered a very silly and/or inefficent way 
to keep track, but so far it seems quick and dirty for so much manual 
input of data. We can identify which printout, which subject, which 
attribute... at a glance.

Creating obs as a string variable seems the overall best approach for 
our specific purposes as recommended by Nick and shown below.

Although we aren't allowed to overindulge/say too much on statalist 
outside the specified question, I do want to add how much easier and 
pleasant it makes life for those of us without a hint of computer 
logic/programming knowledge or understanding. To have such patient, 
willing, able, and expert  help often within moments is a beautiful thing!!

Thanks again!
Suzy


Nick Cox wrote:


> This can also easily be modified to meet 
> Richard's comment. For example, 
> gen x = string(x1) + "_" + string(x2)) 
> is such that "2_11" can be distinguished 
> from "21_1". 
> Nick 
> n.j.cox@durham.ac.uk 
> Nick Cox
>
>  
>
> > Noting Richard Williams' caveat, and just
> > focusing on the question, it can also be 
> > done without loops: 
> > set obs `=26 * 35' 
> > egen x2= seq(), to(35) 
> > egen x1= seq(), block(35) 
> > gen x = real(string(x1) + string(x2)) 
> > -egen- haters can do it without any interpreted
> > code: 
> > set obs `=26 * 35' 
> > gen x1 = ceil(_n/35) 
> > gen x2  = 1 + mod(_n-1, 35) 
> > gen x = real(string(x1) + string(x2)) 
> > and that could be telescoped further. 
> >    
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