/************************************************************************************************/ /* Stata User File for H168B Data */ /* */ /* This file contains information and a sample Stata program to create a permanent */ /* Stata dataset for users who want to use Stata in processing the MEPS data provided */ /* in this PUF release. Stata (StataCorp) has the capability to produce */ /* appropriate standard errors for estimates from a survey with a complex sample */ /* design such as the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). */ /* The input file for creating a permanent Stata dataset is the ASCII data file */ /* (H168B.DAT) supplied in this PUF release, which in turn can be extracted from the */ /* .EXE file. After entering the Stata interactive environment access the Stata DO-File */ /* editor by clicking on the appropriate icon in the command line at the top of the */ /* screen. Copy and paste the following Stata commands into the editor and save as a */ /* DO file. A DO file is a Stata program which may then be executed using the DO command. */ /* For example, if the DO file is named H168B.DO and is located in the directory */ /* C:\MEPS\PROG, then the file may be executed by typing the following command into */ /* the Stata command line: */ /* do C:\MEPS\PROG\H168B.DO */ /* The program below will output the Stata dataset H168B.DTA */ /************************************************************************************************/ #delimit ; cd C:\MEPS\DATA; log using H168B.log, replace; clear; * INPUT ALL VARIABLES; infix long DUID 1-5 int PID 6-8 str DUPERSID 9-16 str EVNTIDX 17-28 byte EVENTRN 29-29 str FFEEIDX 30-41 byte PANEL 42-43 int DVDATEYR 44-47 byte DVDATEMM 48-49 byte GENDENT 50-51 byte DENTHYG 52-53 byte DENTTECH 54-55 byte DENTSURG 56-57 byte ORTHODNT 58-59 byte ENDODENT 60-61 byte PERIODNT 62-63 byte DENTYPE 64-65 byte EXAMINE 66-67 byte CLENTETX 68-69 byte CLENTETH 70-71 byte JUSTXRAY 72-73 byte FLUORIDE 74-75 byte SEALANT 76-77 byte FILLINGX 78-79 byte FILLING 80-81 byte INLAY 82-83 byte CROWNSX 84-85 byte CROWNS 86-87 byte ROOTCANX 88-89 byte ROOTCANL 90-91 byte GUMSURGX 92-93 byte GUMSURG 94-95 byte RECLVISX 96-97 byte RECLVIS 98-99 byte EXTRACT 100-101 byte IMPLANTX 102-103 byte IMPLANT 104-105 byte ABSCESS 106-107 byte ORALSURX 108-109 byte ORALSURG 110-111 byte BRIDGESX 112-113 byte BRIDGES 114-115 byte DENTUREX 116-117 byte DENTURES 118-119 byte REPAIRX 120-121 byte REPAIR 122-123 byte ORTHDONX 124-125 byte ORTHDONT 126-127 byte WHITENX 128-129 byte WHITEN 130-131 byte TMDTMJ 132-133 byte DENTPROX 134-135 byte DENTPROC 136-137 str DENTOTHX 138-162 str DENTOTHR 163-187 byte DENTMED 188-189 byte FFDVTYPE 190-191 byte FFBEF14 192-193 byte FFTOT15 194-195 double DVSF14X 196-203 double DVMR14X 204-210 double DVMD14X 211-217 double DVPV14X 218-225 double DVVA14X 226-232 double DVTR14X 233-239 double DVOF14X 240-246 double DVSL14X 247-253 double DVWC14X 254-260 double DVOR14X 261-267 double DVOU14X 268-274 double DVOT14X 275-281 double DVXP14X 282-289 double DVTC14X 290-297 byte IMPFLAG 298-298 double PERWT14F 299-310 int VARSTR 311-314 byte VARPSU 315-315 using H168B.dat; *DEFINE VARIABLE LABELS; label variable DUID "DWELLING UNIT ID"; label variable PID "PERSON NUMBER"; label variable DUPERSID "PERSON ID (DUID + PID)"; label variable EVNTIDX "EVENT ID"; label variable EVENTRN "EVENT ROUND NUMBER"; label variable FFEEIDX "FLAT FEE ID"; label variable PANEL "PANEL NUMBER"; label variable DVDATEYR "EVENT DATE - YEAR"; label variable DVDATEMM "EVENT DATE - MONTH"; label variable GENDENT "GENERAL DENTIST SEEN"; label variable DENTHYG "DENTAL HYGIENIST SEEN"; label variable DENTTECH "DENTAL TECHNICIAN SEEN"; label variable DENTSURG "DENTAL SURGEON SEEN"; label variable ORTHODNT "ORTHODONTIST SEEN"; label variable ENDODENT "ENDODONTIST SEEN"; label variable PERIODNT "PERIODONTIST SEEN"; label variable DENTYPE "OTHER DENTAL SPECIALIST SEEN"; label variable EXAMINE "GENERAL EXAM OR CONSULTATION"; label variable CLENTETX "EDITED CLENTETH"; label variable CLENTETH "CLEANING, PROPHYLAXIS, OR POLISHING"; label variable JUSTXRAY "X-RAYS, RADIOGRAPHS OR BITEWINGS"; label variable FLUORIDE "FLUORIDE TREATMENT"; label variable SEALANT "SEALANT APPLICATION"; label variable FILLINGX "EDITED FILLING"; label variable FILLING "FILLINGS"; label variable INLAY "INLAYS"; label variable CROWNSX "EDITED CROWNS"; label variable CROWNS "CROWNS OR CAPS"; label variable ROOTCANX "EDITED ROOTCANL"; label variable ROOTCANL "ROOT CANAL"; label variable GUMSURGX "EDITED GUMSURG"; label variable GUMSURG "PERIODONTAL SCALING, ROOT PLANING OR GUM"; label variable RECLVISX "EDITED RECLVIS"; label variable RECLVIS "PERIODONTAL RECALL VISIT"; label variable EXTRACT "EXTRACTION, TOOTH PULLED"; label variable IMPLANTX "EDITED IMPLANT"; label variable IMPLANT "IMPLANTS"; label variable ABSCESS "ABSCESS OR INFECTION TREATMENT"; label variable ORALSURX "EDITED ORALSURG"; label variable ORALSURG "ORAL SURGERY"; label variable BRIDGESX "EDITED BRIDGES"; label variable BRIDGES "BRIDGES"; label variable DENTUREX "EDITED DENTURES"; label variable DENTURES "DENTURES OR PARTIAL DENTURES"; label variable REPAIRX "EDITED REPAIR"; label variable REPAIR "REPAIR OF BRIDGES/DENTURES OR RELINING"; label variable ORTHDONX "EDITED ORTHDONT"; label variable ORTHDONT "ORTHODONTIA, BRACES OR RETAINERS"; label variable WHITENX "EDITED WHITEN"; label variable WHITEN "BONDING, WHITENING, OR BLEACHING"; label variable TMDTMJ "TREATMENT FOR TMD OR TMJ"; label variable DENTPROX "EDITED DENTPROC"; label variable DENTPROC "OTHER DENTAL PROCEDURES"; label variable DENTOTHX "EDITED DENTOTHR"; label variable DENTOTHR "OTHER SPECIFIED DENTAL PROCEDURES"; label variable DENTMED "RECEIVED MEDICINE INCLUDING FREE SAMPLE"; label variable FFDVTYPE "FLAT FEE BUNDLE"; label variable FFBEF14 "TOTAL # OF VISITS IN FF BEFORE 2014"; label variable FFTOT15 "TOTAL # OF VISITS IN FF AFTER 2014"; label variable DVSF14X "AMOUNT PAID, FAMILY (IMPUTED)"; label variable DVMR14X "AMOUNT PAID, MEDICARE (IMPUTED)"; label variable DVMD14X "AMOUNT PAID, MEDICAID (IMPUTED)"; label variable DVPV14X "AMOUNT PAID, PRIVATE INSURANCE (IMPUTED)"; label variable DVVA14X "AMOUNT PAID, VETERANS/CHAMPVA(IMPUTED)"; label variable DVTR14X "AMOUNT PAID, TRICARE(IMPUTED)"; label variable DVOF14X "AMOUNT PAID, OTHER FEDERAL (IMPUTED)"; label variable DVSL14X "AMOUNT PAID, STATE & LOCAL GOV (IMPUTED)"; label variable DVWC14X "AMOUNT PAID, WORKERS COMP (IMPUTED)"; label variable DVOR14X "AMOUNT PAID, OTHER PRIVATE (IMPUTED)"; label variable DVOU14X "AMOUNT PAID, OTHER PUBLIC (IMPUTED)"; label variable DVOT14X "AMOUNT PAID, OTHER INSURANCE (IMPUTED)"; label variable DVXP14X "SUM OF DVSF14X-DVOT14X (IMPUTED)"; label variable DVTC14X "HHLD REPORTED TOTAL CHARGE (IMPUTED)"; label variable IMPFLAG "IMPUTATION STATUS"; label variable PERWT14F "EXPENDITURE FILE PERSON WEIGHT, 2014"; label variable VARSTR "VARIANCE ESTIMATION STRATUM, 2014"; label variable VARPSU "VARIANCE ESTIMATION PSU, 2014"; *DEFINE VALUE LABELS FOR REPORTS; label define H168B0001X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0002X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0003X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0004X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0005X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0006X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0007X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0008X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0009X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0010X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0011X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0012X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0013X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0014X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0015X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0016X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0017X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" ; label define H168B0018X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 2014 "2014" ; label define H168B0019X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H168B0020X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H168B0021X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H168B0022X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H168B0023X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H168B0024X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H168B0025X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H168B0026X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H168B0027X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H168B0028X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H168B0029X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H168B0030X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H168B0031X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H168B0032X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H168B0033X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0034X 1 "ROUND 1" 2 "ROUND 2" 3 "ROUND 3" 4 "ROUND 4" 5 "ROUND 5" ; label define H168B0035X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0036X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0037X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H168B0038X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 FLAT FEE STEM" 2 "2 FLAT FEE LEAF" ; label define H168B0039X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H168B0040X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0041X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0042X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0043X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0044X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0045X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0046X 0 "0 NOT ELIGIBLE FOR IMPUTATION" 1 "1 COMPLETE HC DATA" 2 "2 COMPLETE MPC DATA" 3 "3 FULLY IMPUTED" 4 "4 PARTIALLY IMPUTED" 5 "5 CAPITATION IMPUTATION" ; label define H168B0047X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0048X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0049X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0050X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0051X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0052X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0053X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0054X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0055X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0056X 18 "PANEL 18" 19 "PANEL 19" ; label define H168B0057X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0058X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0059X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0060X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0061X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0062X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0063X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0064X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0065X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0066X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H168B0067X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; * ASSOCIATE VARIABLES WITH VALUE LABEL DEFINITIONS; label value ABSCESS H168B0001X; label value BRIDGES H168B0002X; label value BRIDGESX H168B0003X; label value CLENTETH H168B0004X; label value CLENTETX H168B0005X; label value CROWNS H168B0006X; label value CROWNSX H168B0007X; label value DENTHYG H168B0008X; label value DENTMED H168B0009X; label value DENTPROC H168B0010X; label value DENTPROX H168B0011X; label value DENTSURG H168B0012X; label value DENTTECH H168B0013X; label value DENTURES H168B0014X; label value DENTUREX H168B0015X; label value DENTYPE H168B0016X; label value DVDATEMM H168B0017X; label value DVDATEYR H168B0018X; label value DVMD14X H168B0019X; label value DVMR14X H168B0020X; label value DVOF14X H168B0021X; label value DVOR14X H168B0022X; label value DVOT14X H168B0023X; label value DVOU14X H168B0024X; label value DVPV14X H168B0025X; label value DVSF14X H168B0026X; label value DVSL14X H168B0027X; label value DVTC14X H168B0028X; label value DVTR14X H168B0029X; label value DVVA14X H168B0030X; label value DVWC14X H168B0031X; label value DVXP14X H168B0032X; label value ENDODENT H168B0033X; label value EVENTRN H168B0034X; label value EXAMINE H168B0035X; label value EXTRACT H168B0036X; label value FFBEF14 H168B0037X; label value FFDVTYPE H168B0038X; label value FFTOT15 H168B0039X; label value FILLING H168B0040X; label value FILLINGX H168B0041X; label value FLUORIDE H168B0042X; label value GENDENT H168B0043X; label value GUMSURG H168B0044X; label value GUMSURGX H168B0045X; label value IMPFLAG H168B0046X; label value IMPLANT H168B0047X; label value IMPLANTX H168B0048X; label value INLAY H168B0049X; label value JUSTXRAY H168B0050X; label value ORALSURG H168B0051X; label value ORALSURX H168B0052X; label value ORTHDONT H168B0053X; label value ORTHDONX H168B0054X; label value ORTHODNT H168B0055X; label value PANEL H168B0056X; label value PERIODNT H168B0057X; label value RECLVIS H168B0058X; label value RECLVISX H168B0059X; label value REPAIR H168B0060X; label value REPAIRX H168B0061X; label value ROOTCANL H168B0062X; label value ROOTCANX H168B0063X; label value SEALANT H168B0064X; label value TMDTMJ H168B0065X; label value WHITEN H168B0066X; label value WHITENX H168B0067X; *DISPLAY A DESCRIPTION OF STATA FILE; describe; *LIST FIRST 20 OBSERVATIONS IN THE FILE; list in 1/20; save H168B, replace; #delimit cr * data file is stored in H168B.dta * log file is stored in H168B.log log close /************************************************************************************************ NOTES: 1. This program has been tested on Stata Version 10 (for Windows). 2. This program will create a permanent Stata dataset. All additional analyses can be run using this dataset. In addition to the dataset, this program creates a log file named H168B.LOG and a data file named H168B.DTA. If these files (H168B.DTA and H168B.LOG) already exist in the working directory, they will be replaced when this program is executed. 3. If the program ends prematurely, the log file will remain open. Before running this program again, the user should enter the following Stata command: log close 4. The cd command assigns C:\MEPS\DATA as the working directory and location of the input ASCII and output .DTA and .LOG files and can be modified by the user as necessary. 5. Stata commands end with a carriage return by default. The command #delimit ; temporarily changes the command ending delimiter from a carriage return to a semicolon. 6. The infix command assumes that the input variables are numeric unless the variable name is prefaced by str. For example, DUPERSID is the a string (or character) variable. ************************************************************************************************/