Error when using egen command with dashed keywords

[Hilde Eggen]

When using the egen command for searching (and making a variabe based on) dashed keywords like 'data-driven' the following error sign pops up: - invalid name r(198);

Am I able to search for words with a dash in between? And how does it work?

[Nick Cox]

I can't visualize what you're trying. Please give a data example and show a real or realistic example of the code you're using. https://www.statalist.org/forums/help#stata explains.

[Hilde Eggen]

Example:

I use variable W1 (Website1) as string data (text descriptions) and use the following command to create a new string variable based on the wordcount: egen X_noccur_W1 = noccur(Website1), string("X").

This command works and creates a new variable (string): egen digitally_noccur_W1 = noccur(Website1), string("digitally")
This command does not work: egen data-driven_noccur_W2 = noccur(Website2), string("data-driven") - invalid name r(198);




Is there any solution for the problem that words with a dash cannot be used?

[Leonardo Guizzetti]

The error is that a dash is not a valid character in a variable name (what immediately follows -egen-). Remove the dash and it should work.

[Nick Cox]

Leonardo Guizzetti is correct here. The error has nothing to do with searching for keywords with dashes except that you asked for a variable name that isn't allowed.

Beyond that, the egen function noccur() is community-contributed from egenmore on SSC, as you are asked to explain. The link in #2 applies once more.

This function is dispensable. If you want to count occurrences of a string, the device explained at https://www.stata-journal.com/articl...article=dm0056 is often a better idea.

If the problem is to check for occurrence of substrings, use strpos(), strmatch() or a regular expression function.

[Hilde Eggen]

Thank you!