/************************************************************************************************/ /* Stata User File for H26H 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 */ /* (H26H.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 H26H.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\H26H.DO */ /* The program below will output the Stata dataset H26H.DTA */ /************************************************************************************************/ #delimit ; cd C:\MEPS\DATA; log using H26HF1.log, replace; clear; * INPUT ALL VARIABLES; infix long DUID 1-5 byte PID 6-7 str DUPERSID 8-15 str EVNTIDX 16-27 byte EVENTRN 28-28 str FFEEIDX 29-40 int HHDATEYR 41-44 byte HHDATEMM 45-46 byte MPCELIG 47-47 byte SELFAGEN 48-49 byte HHTYPE 50-50 byte CNA 51-52 byte COMPANN 53-54 byte DIETICN 55-56 byte HHAIDE 57-58 byte HOSPICE 59-60 byte HMEMAKER 61-62 byte IVTHP 63-64 byte MEDLDOC 65-66 byte NURPRACT 67-68 byte NURAIDE 69-70 byte OCCUPTHP 71-72 byte PERSONAL 73-74 byte PHYSLTHP 75-76 byte RESPTHP 77-78 byte SOCIALW 79-80 byte SPEECTHP 81-82 byte OTHRHCW 83-84 byte NONSKILL 85-86 byte SKILLED 87-88 str SKILLWOS 89-113 byte OTHCW 114-115 str OTHCWOS 116-140 byte HOSPITAL 141-142 byte VSTRELCN 143-144 byte TREATMT 145-146 byte MEDEQUIP 147-148 byte DAILYACT 149-150 byte COMPANY 151-152 byte OTHSVCE 153-154 str OTHSVCOS 155-179 byte FREQCY 180-181 byte DAYSPWK 182-183 byte DAYSPMO 184-185 byte HOWOFTEN 186-187 byte TMSPDAY 188-189 byte HRSLONG 190-191 byte MINLONG 192-193 byte SAMESVCE 194-195 byte HHDAYS 196-197 byte FFHHTYPE 198-199 byte FFBEF98 200-201 byte FFTOT99 202-203 double HHSF98X 204-210 double HHMR98X 211-218 double HHMD98X 219-226 double HHPV98X 227-233 double HHVA98X 234-239 double HHCH98X 240-244 double HHOF98X 245-250 double HHSL98X 251-257 double HHWC98X 258-262 double HHOR98X 263-269 double HHOU98X 270-275 double HHOT98X 276-280 double HHXP98X 281-288 double HHTC98X 289-296 double WTDPER98 297-308 int VARSTR98 309-311 byte VARPSU98 312-313 using H26HF1.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 HHDATEYR "EVENT START DATE - YEAR"; label variable HHDATEMM "EVENT START DATE - MONTH"; label variable MPCELIG "MPC ELIGIBILITY FLAG"; label variable SELFAGEN "DOES PROVIDER WORK FOR AGENCY OR SELF"; label variable HHTYPE "HOME HEALTH EVENT TYPE"; label variable CNA "TYPE OF HLTH CARE WRKR - CERT NURSE ASST"; label variable COMPANN "TYPE OF HLTH CARE WRKR - COMPANION"; label variable DIETICN "TYPE OF HLTH CARE WRKR - DIETITIAN/NUTRT"; label variable HHAIDE "TYPE OF HLTH CARE WRKR - HOME CARE AIDE"; label variable HOSPICE "TYPE OF HLTH CARE WRKR - HOSPICE WORKER"; label variable HMEMAKER "TYPE OF HLTH CARE WRKR - HOMEMAKER"; label variable IVTHP "TYPE OF HLTH CARE WRKR - IV THERAPIST"; label variable MEDLDOC "TYPE OF HLTH CARE WRKR - MEDICAL DOCTOR"; label variable NURPRACT "TYPE OF HLTH CARE WRKR - NURSE/PRACTR"; label variable NURAIDE "TYPE OF HLTH CARE WRKR - NURSES AIDE"; label variable OCCUPTHP "TYPE OF HLTH CARE WRKR - OCCUP THERAP"; label variable PERSONAL "TYPE OF HLTH CARE WRKR - PERS CARE ATTDT"; label variable PHYSLTHP "TYPE OF HLTH CARE WRKR - PHYSICL THERAPY"; label variable RESPTHP "TYPE OF HLTH CARE WRKR - RESPIRA THERAPY"; label variable SOCIALW "TYPE OF HLTH CARE WRKR - SOCIAL WORKER"; label variable SPEECTHP "TYPE OF HLTH CARE WRKR - SPEECH THERAPY"; label variable OTHRHCW "TYPE OF HLTH CARE WRKR - OTHER"; label variable NONSKILL "TYPE OF HLTH CARE WRKR - NON-SKILLED"; label variable SKILLED "TYPE OF HLTH CARE WRKR - SKILLED"; label variable SKILLWOS "SPECIFY TYPE OF SKILLED WORKER"; label variable OTHCW "TYPE OF HLTH CARE WRKR - SOME OTHER"; label variable OTHCWOS "SPECIFY OTHER TYPE HEALTH CARE WORKER"; label variable HOSPITAL "ANY HH CARE SVCE DUE TO HOSPITALIZATION"; label variable VSTRELCN "ANY HH CARE SVCE RELATED TO HLTH COND"; label variable TREATMT "PERSON RECEIVED MEDICAL TREATMENT"; label variable MEDEQUIP "PERSON WAS TAUGHT USE OF MED EQUIPMT"; label variable DAILYACT "PERSON WAS HELPED WI DAILY ACTIVITIES"; label variable COMPANY "PERSON RECEIVED COMPANIONSHIP SERVICES"; label variable OTHSVCE "PERSON RECEIVED OTH HOME CARE SERVICES"; label variable OTHSVCOS "SPECIFY OTHER HOME CARE SRVCE RECEIVED"; label variable FREQCY "PROVIDER HELPED EVERY WK/SOME WKS"; label variable DAYSPWK "# DAYS PER WEEK PROVIDER CAME (HA ONLY)"; label variable DAYSPMO "# DAYS PER MONTH PROVIDER CAME (HA ONLY)"; label variable HOWOFTEN "PROV CAME ONCE PER DAY/MORE THAN ONCE"; label variable TMSPDAY "TIMES/DAY PROVIDER CAME HOME TO HELP"; label variable HRSLONG "HOURS EACH VISIT LASTED"; label variable MINLONG "MINUTES EACH VISIT LASTED"; label variable SAMESVCE "ANY OTH MONS PER RECEIVED SAME SERVICES"; label variable HHDAYS "DAYS PER MONTH IN HOME HEALTH, 1998"; label variable FFHHTYPE "FLAT FEE BUNDLE - STEM OR LEAF"; label variable FFBEF98 "TOTAL # OF VISITS IN FF BEFORE 1998"; label variable FFTOT99 "TOTAL # OF VISITS IN FF AFTER 1998"; label variable HHSF98X "AMOUNT PAID,FAMILY (IMPUTED)"; label variable HHMR98X "AMOUNT PAID,MEDICARE (IMPUTED)"; label variable HHMD98X "AMOUNT PAID,MEDICAID (IMPUTED)"; label variable HHPV98X "AMOUNT PAID,PRIVATE INSURANCE (IMPUTED)"; label variable HHVA98X "AMOUNT PAID,VETERANS (IMPUTED)"; label variable HHCH98X "AMOUNT PAID,CHAMPUS/CHAMPVA (IMPUTED)"; label variable HHOF98X "AMOUNT PAID,OTHER FEDERAL (IMPUTED)"; label variable HHSL98X "AMOUNT PAID,STATE & LOCAL GOV (IMPUTED)"; label variable HHWC98X "AMOUNT PAID,WORKERS COMP (IMPUTED)"; label variable HHOR98X "AMOUNT PAID, OTHER PRIVATE (IMPUTED)"; label variable HHOU98X "AMOUNT PAID, OTHER PUBLIC (IMPUTED)"; label variable HHOT98X "AMOUNT PAID,OTHER INSURANCE (IMPUTED)"; label variable HHXP98X "SUM OF HHSF98X-HHOT98X (IMPUTED)"; label variable HHTC98X "HHLD REPORTED TOTAL CHARGE (IMPUTED)"; label variable WTDPER98 "POVERTY/MORTALITY/NH ADJ PERS LVL WGT 98"; label variable VARSTR98 "VARIANCE ESTIMATION STRATUM 1998"; label variable VARPSU98 "VARIANCE ESTIMATION PSU 1998"; *DEFINE VALUE LABELS FOR REPORTS; label define H26HF10001X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H26HF10002X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H26HF10003X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES, AT LEAST ONCE" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H26HF10004X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES, AT LEAST ONCE" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H26HF10005X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" ; label define H26HF10006X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" ; label define H26HF10007X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H26HF10008X 1 "1 ROUND 1" 2 "2 ROUND 2" 3 "3 ROUND 3" 4 "4 ROUND 4" 5 "5 ROUND 5" ; label define H26HF10009X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 EVERY WEEK" 2 "2 SOME WEEKS" 3 "3 ONLY CAME ONCE" ; label define H26HF10010X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H26HF10011X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H26HF10012X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" ; label define H26HF10013X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1998 "1998" 1999 "1999" ; label define H26HF10014X -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H26HF10015X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H26HF10016X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H26HF10017X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H26HF10018X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H26HF10019X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H26HF10020X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" 801 "$801.00 - $801.00" ; label define H26HF10021X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H26HF10022X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H26HF10023X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H26HF10024X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H26HF10025X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 FRIEND/NEIGHBOR" 2 "2 RELATIVE" 3 "3 VOLUNTEER" 4 "4 OTHER - PAID" 5 "5 VOLUNTEERED: MEAL SERVICE DELIVERY" ; label define H26HF10026X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H26HF10027X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" 35 "$35.00-$35.00" ; label define H26HF10028X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H26HF10029X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H26HF10030X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H26HF10031X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H26HF10032X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 ONCE PER DAY" 2 "2 MORE THAN ONCE PER DAY" 3 "3 24 HOURS PER DAY" ; label define H26HF10033X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H26HF10034X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H26HF10035X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES, AT LEAST ONCE" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H26HF10036X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H26HF10037X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 0 "0" ; label define H26HF10038X 1 "1 MPC ELIGIBLE - AGENCY" 2 "2 NOT MPC ELIGIBLE HHP-PAID INDEP" 3 "3 NOT MPC ELIG HHI-INFORMAL" ; label define H26HF10039X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H26HF10040X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H26HF10041X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H26HF10042X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H26HF10043X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H26HF10044X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H26HF10045X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES, AT LEAST ONCE" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H26HF10046X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H26HF10047X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H26HF10048X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H26HF10049X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H26HF10050X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 WORK FOR AGENCY, HOSP, NURS HOME" 2 "2 WORK FOR SELF" ; label define H26HF10051X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H26HF10052X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H26HF10053X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H26HF10054X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" ; label define H26HF10055X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES, AT LEAST ONCE" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H26HF10056X -1 "-1 INAPPLICABLE" -7 "-7 REFUSED" -8 "-8 DK" -9 "-9 NOT ASCERTAINED" 1 "1 YES" 2 "2 NO" ; label define H26HF10057X -1 "-1" 0 "0" ; * ASSOCIATE VARIABLES WITH VALUE LABEL DEFINITIONS; label value CNA H26HF10001X; label value COMPANN H26HF10002X; label value COMPANY H26HF10003X; label value DAILYACT H26HF10004X; label value DAYSPMO H26HF10005X; label value DAYSPWK H26HF10006X; label value DIETICN H26HF10007X; label value EVENTRN H26HF10008X; label value FREQCY H26HF10009X; label value HHAIDE H26HF10010X; label value HHCH98X H26HF10011X; label value HHDATEMM H26HF10012X; label value HHDATEYR H26HF10013X; label value HHDAYS H26HF10014X; label value HHMD98X H26HF10015X; label value HHMR98X H26HF10016X; label value HHOF98X H26HF10017X; label value HHOR98X H26HF10018X; label value HHOT98X H26HF10019X; label value HHOU98X H26HF10020X; label value HHPV98X H26HF10021X; label value HHSF98X H26HF10022X; label value HHSL98X H26HF10023X; label value HHTC98X H26HF10024X; label value HHTYPE H26HF10025X; label value HHVA98X H26HF10026X; label value HHWC98X H26HF10027X; label value HHXP98X H26HF10028X; label value HMEMAKER H26HF10029X; label value HOSPICE H26HF10030X; label value HOSPITAL H26HF10031X; label value HOWOFTEN H26HF10032X; label value HRSLONG H26HF10033X; label value IVTHP H26HF10034X; label value MEDEQUIP H26HF10035X; label value MEDLDOC H26HF10036X; label value MINLONG H26HF10037X; label value MPCELIG H26HF10038X; label value NONSKILL H26HF10039X; label value NURAIDE H26HF10040X; label value NURPRACT H26HF10041X; label value OCCUPTHP H26HF10042X; label value OTHCW H26HF10043X; label value OTHRHCW H26HF10044X; label value OTHSVCE H26HF10045X; label value PERSONAL H26HF10046X; label value PHYSLTHP H26HF10047X; label value RESPTHP H26HF10048X; label value SAMESVCE H26HF10049X; label value SELFAGEN H26HF10050X; label value SKILLED H26HF10051X; label value SOCIALW H26HF10052X; label value SPEECTHP H26HF10053X; label value TMSPDAY H26HF10054X; label value TREATMT H26HF10055X; label value VSTRELCN H26HF10056X; label value WTDPER98 H26HF10057X; *DISPLAY A DESCRIPTION OF STATA FILE; describe; *LIST FIRST 20 OBSERVATIONS IN THE FILE; list in 1/20; save H26HF1, replace; #delimit cr * data file is stored in H26HF1.dta * log file is stored in H26HF1.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 H26H.LOG and a data file named H26H.DTA. If these files (H26H.DTA and H26H.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. ************************************************************************************************/