/************************************************************************************************/ /* Stata User File for H188B 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 */ /* (H188B.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 H188B.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\H188B.DO */ /* The program below will output the Stata dataset H188B.DTA */ /************************************************************************************************/ #delimit ; cd C:\MEPS\DATA; log using H188B.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 JUSTXRYX 72-73 byte JUSTXRAY 74-75 byte FLUORIDE 76-77 byte SEALANT 78-79 byte FILLINGX 80-81 byte FILLING 82-83 byte INLAY 84-85 byte CROWNSX 86-87 byte CROWNS 88-89 byte ROOTCANX 90-91 byte ROOTCANL 92-93 byte GUMSURGX 94-95 byte GUMSURG 96-97 byte RECLVISX 98-99 byte RECLVIS 100-101 byte EXTRACT 102-103 byte IMPLANTX 104-105 byte IMPLANT 106-107 byte ABSCESS 108-109 byte ORALSURX 110-111 byte ORALSURG 112-113 byte BRIDGESX 114-115 byte BRIDGES 116-117 byte DENTUREX 118-119 byte DENTURES 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 byte DENTMED 163-164 byte FFDVTYPE 165-166 byte FFBEF16 167-168 byte FFTOT17 169-170 double DVSF16X 171-178 double DVMR16X 179-185 double DVMD16X 186-192 double DVPV16X 193-200 double DVVA16X 201-207 double DVTR16X 208-215 double DVOF16X 216-222 double DVSL16X 223-228 double DVWC16X 229-234 double DVOR16X 235-241 double DVOU16X 242-248 double DVOT16X 249-255 double DVXP16X 256-263 double DVTC16X 264-271 byte IMPFLAG 272-272 double PERWT16F 273-284 int VARSTR 285-288 byte VARPSU 289-289 using H188B.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 JUSTXRYX "EDITED JUSTXRAY"; 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 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 "OTHER SPECIFY DENTAL PROCEDURES EDITED"; label variable DENTMED "RECEIVED MEDICINE INCLUDING FREE SAMPLE"; label variable FFDVTYPE "FLAT FEE BUNDLE"; label variable FFBEF16 "TOTAL # OF VISITS IN FF BEFORE 2016"; label variable FFTOT17 "TOTAL # OF VISITS IN FF AFTER 2016"; label variable DVSF16X "AMOUNT PAID, FAMILY (IMPUTED)"; label variable DVMR16X "AMOUNT PAID, MEDICARE (IMPUTED)"; label variable DVMD16X "AMOUNT PAID, MEDICAID (IMPUTED)"; label variable DVPV16X "AMOUNT PAID, PRIVATE INSURANCE (IMPUTED)"; label variable DVVA16X "AMOUNT PAID, VETERANS/CHAMPVA(IMPUTED)"; label variable DVTR16X "AMOUNT PAID, TRICARE(IMPUTED)"; label variable DVOF16X "AMOUNT PAID, OTHER FEDERAL (IMPUTED)"; label variable DVSL16X "AMOUNT PAID, STATE & LOCAL GOV (IMPUTED)"; label variable DVWC16X "AMOUNT PAID, WORKERS COMP (IMPUTED)"; label variable DVOR16X "AMOUNT PAID, OTHER PRIVATE (IMPUTED)"; label variable DVOU16X "AMOUNT PAID, OTHER PUBLIC (IMPUTED)"; label variable DVOT16X "AMOUNT PAID, OTHER INSURANCE (IMPUTED)"; label variable DVXP16X "SUM OF DVSF16X-DVOT16X (IMPUTED)"; label variable DVTC16X "HHLD REPORTED TOTAL CHARGE (IMPUTED)"; label variable IMPFLAG "IMPUTATION STATUS"; label variable PERWT16F "EXPENDITURE FILE PERSON WEIGHT, 2016"; label variable VARSTR "VARIANCE ESTIMATION STRATUM, 2016"; label variable VARPSU "VARIANCE ESTIMATION PSU, 2016"; *DEFINE VALUE LABELS FOR REPORTS; label define H188B0001X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0002X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0003X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0004X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0005X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0006X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0007X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0008X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0009X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0010X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0011X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0012X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0013X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0014X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0015X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0016X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0017X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" ; label define H188B0018X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 2016 "2016" ; label define H188B0019X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H188B0020X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H188B0021X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H188B0022X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H188B0023X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H188B0024X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H188B0025X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H188B0026X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H188B0027X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H188B0028X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H188B0029X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H188B0030X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H188B0031X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H188B0032X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H188B0033X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0034X 1 "ROUND 1" 2 "ROUND 2" 3 "ROUND 3" 4 "ROUND 4" 5 "ROUND 5" ; label define H188B0035X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0036X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0037X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H188B0038X -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 H188B0039X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H188B0040X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0041X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0042X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0043X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0044X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0045X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0046X 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 H188B0047X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0048X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0049X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0050X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0051X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0052X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0053X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0054X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0055X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0056X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0057X 20 "PANEL 20" 21 "PANEL 21" ; label define H188B0058X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0059X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0060X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0061X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0062X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0063X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0064X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0065X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0066X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H188B0067X -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 H188B0001X; label value BRIDGES H188B0002X; label value BRIDGESX H188B0003X; label value CLENTETH H188B0004X; label value CLENTETX H188B0005X; label value CROWNS H188B0006X; label value CROWNSX H188B0007X; label value DENTHYG H188B0008X; label value DENTMED H188B0009X; label value DENTPROC H188B0010X; label value DENTPROX H188B0011X; label value DENTSURG H188B0012X; label value DENTTECH H188B0013X; label value DENTURES H188B0014X; label value DENTUREX H188B0015X; label value DENTYPE H188B0016X; label value DVDATEMM H188B0017X; label value DVDATEYR H188B0018X; label value DVMD16X H188B0019X; label value DVMR16X H188B0020X; label value DVOF16X H188B0021X; label value DVOR16X H188B0022X; label value DVOT16X H188B0023X; label value DVOU16X H188B0024X; label value DVPV16X H188B0025X; label value DVSF16X H188B0026X; label value DVSL16X H188B0027X; label value DVTC16X H188B0028X; label value DVTR16X H188B0029X; label value DVVA16X H188B0030X; label value DVWC16X H188B0031X; label value DVXP16X H188B0032X; label value ENDODENT H188B0033X; label value EVENTRN H188B0034X; label value EXAMINE H188B0035X; label value EXTRACT H188B0036X; label value FFBEF16 H188B0037X; label value FFDVTYPE H188B0038X; label value FFTOT17 H188B0039X; label value FILLING H188B0040X; label value FILLINGX H188B0041X; label value FLUORIDE H188B0042X; label value GENDENT H188B0043X; label value GUMSURG H188B0044X; label value GUMSURGX H188B0045X; label value IMPFLAG H188B0046X; label value IMPLANT H188B0047X; label value IMPLANTX H188B0048X; label value INLAY H188B0049X; label value JUSTXRAY H188B0050X; label value JUSTXRYX H188B0051X; label value ORALSURG H188B0052X; label value ORALSURX H188B0053X; label value ORTHDONT H188B0054X; label value ORTHDONX H188B0055X; label value ORTHODNT H188B0056X; label value PANEL H188B0057X; label value PERIODNT H188B0058X; label value RECLVIS H188B0059X; label value RECLVISX H188B0060X; label value REPAIR H188B0061X; label value ROOTCANL H188B0062X; label value ROOTCANX H188B0063X; label value SEALANT H188B0064X; label value TMDTMJ H188B0065X; label value WHITEN H188B0066X; label value WHITENX H188B0067X; *DISPLAY A DESCRIPTION OF STATA FILE; describe; *LIST FIRST 20 OBSERVATIONS IN THE FILE; list in 1/20; save H188B, replace; #delimit cr * data file is stored in H188B.dta * log file is stored in H188B.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 H188B.LOG and a data file named H188B.DTA. If these files (H188B.DTA and H188B.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. ************************************************************************************************/