" is not a valid command name" r(199) error when trying to define and run a program

[Joost Sijthoff]

I am trying to define a program that subsets data to loop over for some robustness analysis. For this, I try to add an option to choose a window option (e.g. 1yr or 2yr), but this causes the program to fail:

capture program drop subset_data
program subset_data, sortpreserve
    syntax, ///
        window(string)
end

subset_data, ///
    window(1yr)

Unfortunately, I keep getting this:

. capture program drop subset_judgeiv_data

. program subset_judgeiv_data, sortpreserve
1. syntax, ///
> window(string)
2. end

.
. // subset to IV analysis dataset
. subset_judgeiv_data, ///
> window(1yr)

. ​
​ is not a valid command name
r(199);

end of do-file

I thought this implied that I erroneously included a space that is being interpreted as a cmd somewhere but haven't been able to figure it out, making me suspect I do not correctly understand how to use string inputs in a program.

[Nick Cox]

The continuation comment /// can't be used interactively but only in do-files and program files. Does that explain your problem?

[U] 16.1.2

The /* */, //, and /// comment indicators can be used in do-files and ado-files only; you may
not use them interactively. You can, however, use the ‘*’ comment indicator interactively.

[Joost Sijthoff]

Thanks for the help Nick!

Unfortunately not, I am running it from the do-file editor and removing the / / / doesn't change the problem:

. do "C:\Users\JOOSTS~1\AppData\Local\Temp\STD1258_000000.tmp"

. capture program drop subset_data

. program subset_data, sortpreserve
  1.         syntax, window(string) 
  2. end

. 
. subset_data, window(1yr)

. ​
​ is not a valid command name
r(199);

[Nick Cox]

Check for non-printable characters with a good text editor or indeed hexdump.

[Joost Sijthoff]

I didn't see anything odd viewing in VScode or

hexdump file, analyze

You were probably right Nick. I retyped the program and now it does run.
Apologies for the stupid problem and thanks for the help!