/************************************************************************************************/ /* Stata User File for H118B 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 */ /* (H118B.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 H118B.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\H118B.DO */ /* The program below will output the Stata dataset H118B.DTA */ /************************************************************************************************/ #delimit ; cd C:\MEPS\DATA; log using H118B.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 DVDATEDD 50-51 byte GENDENT 52-53 byte DENTHYG 54-55 byte DENTTECH 56-57 byte DENTSURG 58-59 byte ORTHODNT 60-61 byte ENDODENT 62-63 byte PERIODNT 64-65 byte DENTYPE 66-67 byte EXAMINE 68-69 byte CLENTETX 70-71 byte CLENTETH 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 str DENTOTHR 163-187 byte DENTMED 188-189 byte FFDVTYPE 190-191 byte FFBEF08 192-193 byte FFTOT09 194-195 double DVSF08X 196-203 double DVMR08X 204-210 double DVMD08X 211-217 double DVPV08X 218-225 double DVVA08X 226-232 double DVTR08X 233-239 double DVOF08X 240-246 double DVSL08X 247-253 double DVWC08X 254-259 double DVOR08X 260-266 double DVOU08X 267-272 double DVOT08X 273-279 double DVXP08X 280-287 double DVTC08X 288-295 byte IMPFLAG 296-296 double PERWT08F 297-308 int VARSTR 309-312 byte VARPSU 313-313 using H118B.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 DVDATEDD "EVENT DATE - DAY"; 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 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 FFBEF08 "TOTAL # OF VISITS IN FF BEFORE 2008"; label variable FFTOT09 "TOTAL # OF VISITS IN FF AFTER 2008"; label variable DVSF08X "AMOUNT PAID, FAMILY (IMPUTED)"; label variable DVMR08X "AMOUNT PAID, MEDICARE (IMPUTED)"; label variable DVMD08X "AMOUNT PAID, MEDICAID (IMPUTED)"; label variable DVPV08X "AMOUNT PAID, PRIVATE INSURANCE (IMPUTED)"; label variable DVVA08X "AMOUNT PAID, VETERANS/CHAMPVA(IMPUTED)"; label variable DVTR08X "AMOUNT PAID, TRICARE(IMPUTED)"; label variable DVOF08X "AMOUNT PAID, OTHER FEDERAL (IMPUTED)"; label variable DVSL08X "AMOUNT PAID, STATE & LOCAL GOV (IMPUTED)"; label variable DVWC08X "AMOUNT PAID, WORKERS COMP (IMPUTED)"; label variable DVOR08X "AMOUNT PAID, OTHER PRIVATE (IMPUTED)"; label variable DVOU08X "AMOUNT PAID, OTHER PUBLIC (IMPUTED)"; label variable DVOT08X "AMOUNT PAID, OTHER INSURANCE (IMPUTED)"; label variable DVXP08X "SUM OF DVSF08X-DVOT08X (IMPUTED)"; label variable DVTC08X "HHLD REPORTED TOTAL CHARGE (IMPUTED)"; label variable IMPFLAG "IMPUTATION STATUS"; label variable PERWT08F "EXPENDITURE FILE PERSON WEIGHT, 2008"; label variable VARSTR "VARIANCE ESTIMATION STRATUM, 2008"; label variable VARPSU "VARIANCE ESTIMATION PSU, 2008"; *DEFINE VALUE LABELS FOR REPORTS; label define H118B0001X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0002X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0003X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0004X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0005X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0006X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0007X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0008X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0009X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0010X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0011X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0012X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0013X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0014X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0015X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0016X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0017X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" ; label define H118B0018X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" ; label define H118B0019X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 2008 "2008" ; label define H118B0020X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H118B0021X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H118B0022X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H118B0023X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H118B0024X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H118B0025X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H118B0026X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H118B0027X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H118B0028X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H118B0029X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H118B0030X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H118B0031X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H118B0032X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H118B0033X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H118B0034X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0035X 1 "ROUND 1" 2 "ROUND 2" 3 "ROUND 3" 4 "ROUND 4" 5 "ROUND 5" ; label define H118B0036X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0037X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0038X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H118B0039X -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 H118B0040X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H118B0041X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0042X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0043X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0044X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0045X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0046X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0047X 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 H118B0048X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0049X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0050X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0051X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0052X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0053X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0054X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0055X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0056X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0057X 12 "PANEL 12" 13 "PANEL 13" ; label define H118B0058X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0059X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0060X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0061X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0062X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0063X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0064X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0065X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0066X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H118B0067X -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 H118B0001X; label value BRIDGES H118B0002X; label value BRIDGESX H118B0003X; label value CLENTETH H118B0004X; label value CLENTETX H118B0005X; label value CROWNS H118B0006X; label value CROWNSX H118B0007X; label value DENTHYG H118B0008X; label value DENTMED H118B0009X; label value DENTPROC H118B0010X; label value DENTPROX H118B0011X; label value DENTSURG H118B0012X; label value DENTTECH H118B0013X; label value DENTURES H118B0014X; label value DENTUREX H118B0015X; label value DENTYPE H118B0016X; label value DVDATEDD H118B0017X; label value DVDATEMM H118B0018X; label value DVDATEYR H118B0019X; label value DVMD08X H118B0020X; label value DVMR08X H118B0021X; label value DVOF08X H118B0022X; label value DVOR08X H118B0023X; label value DVOT08X H118B0024X; label value DVOU08X H118B0025X; label value DVPV08X H118B0026X; label value DVSF08X H118B0027X; label value DVSL08X H118B0028X; label value DVTC08X H118B0029X; label value DVTR08X H118B0030X; label value DVVA08X H118B0031X; label value DVWC08X H118B0032X; label value DVXP08X H118B0033X; label value ENDODENT H118B0034X; label value EVENTRN H118B0035X; label value EXAMINE H118B0036X; label value EXTRACT H118B0037X; label value FFBEF08 H118B0038X; label value FFDVTYPE H118B0039X; label value FFTOT09 H118B0040X; label value FILLING H118B0041X; label value FILLINGX H118B0042X; label value FLUORIDE H118B0043X; label value GENDENT H118B0044X; label value GUMSURG H118B0045X; label value GUMSURGX H118B0046X; label value IMPFLAG H118B0047X; label value IMPLANT H118B0048X; label value IMPLANTX H118B0049X; label value INLAY H118B0050X; label value JUSTXRAY H118B0051X; label value ORALSURG H118B0052X; label value ORALSURX H118B0053X; label value ORTHDONT H118B0054X; label value ORTHDONX H118B0055X; label value ORTHODNT H118B0056X; label value PANEL H118B0057X; label value PERIODNT H118B0058X; label value RECLVIS H118B0059X; label value RECLVISX H118B0060X; label value REPAIR H118B0061X; label value ROOTCANL H118B0062X; label value ROOTCANX H118B0063X; label value SEALANT H118B0064X; label value TMDTMJ H118B0065X; label value WHITEN H118B0066X; label value WHITENX H118B0067X; *DISPLAY A DESCRIPTION OF STATA FILE; describe; *LIST FIRST 20 OBSERVATIONS IN THE FILE; list in 1/20; save H118B, replace; #delimit cr * data file is stored in H118B.dta * log file is stored in H118B.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 H118B.LOG and a data file named H118B.DTA. If these files (H118B.DTA and H118B.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. ************************************************************************************************/