In the file that has 'Y10 5DD',
gen merge_postcode = postcode
replace merge_postcode = " " + substr(merge_postcode,1,3) +
substr(merge_postcode,5,4) if substr(merge_postcode,4,1)==" "
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of
[email protected]
Sent: Friday, April 07, 2006 10:25 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: st: Manipulating strings
I want to merge two files using a postcode variable. In both the master
and
using files postcode is an 8 character string. And in both files the
postcode comprises an outward part (of up to the first four characters),
followed by a blank, followed by an inward element (the remaining three
characters). For example: YO10 5DD, B1 4TH, DR3 5HJ.
The problem is that the outward part is left justified in one file but
right
justified (to the blank) in the other. Consequently the merge works for
postcodes - such as 'YO10 5DD' - where the outward part occupies all
four
positions (the left and right justification generate the same result)
but
does not work where the outward part has less than four characters e.g.,
for
Y10 5DD which is ' Y10 5DD' in one file but 'Y10 5DD' in the other.
Any suggestions how to overcome this would be most welcome.
Thanks.
Steve
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