st: period in matrix column name

["Feiveson, Alan H. (JSC-SK311)" <alan.h.feiveson@nasa.gov>]

Hi - I notice that when I try to name a column of a matrix with an embedded period, the  column name is split along two rows because Stata thinks I want to designate a combination of a factor variable:

. matrix colnames H = "0a4"
. matrix list H

H[5,9]
           0a4  0a4  0a4  0a4  0a4  0a4  0a4  0a4  0a4
    leave    0   .5    1  1.5    2  2.5    3  3.5    4
    labor  2.5  2.5    2    2    2  1.5  1.5  1.5    1
  med ops    1    1    1    1    1    1    1   .5   .5
checs hdw  2.5    2    2    2  1.5  1.5    1  1.5  1.5
  thermal    2    2    2  1.5  1.5  1.5  1.5    1    1

. matrix colnames H = "0.4"

. matrix list H

H[5,9]
             0.   0.   0.   0.   0.   0.   0.   0.   0.
             4    4    4    4    4    4    4    4    4
    leave    0   .5    1  1.5    2  2.5    3  3.5    4
    labor  2.5  2.5    2    2    2  1.5  1.5  1.5    1
  med ops    1    1    1    1    1    1    1   .5   .5
checs hdw  2.5    2    2    2  1.5  1.5    1  1.5  1.5
  thermal    2    2    2  1.5  1.5  1.5  1.5    1    1

Anyone know a way around this?

Thanks

Al Feiveson


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