Short question: Local command doesn't work in dofile just command window - why?

[Franziska Rust]

Dear users,

I have issues with the local command. The command doesn't work when I type it in my dofile just when I write it directly in the command window. Do you knwo why and how I can change that?

One example Code:

regress Y X if abs(X)<=10 & Z
local a1 = _b[_cons]

When I run it from my dofile and type
display `a1' - nothing shows. But when I run it from the command window in stata I get the right result..??

Thanks and regards
Franziska

[FernandoRios]

Hi Franziska
What you are finding there is exactly the nature of a -local-. They only "exist" in memory for the instance that they were created. In this case, since they are created within a dofile, that local will no longer be there when trying to retrieve it from the command window.
But, if you create a local in the command window, you will be able to, since they "exist" in that session.
I find that locals are very useful when creating codes and temporary lists, vars files, etc. However, if you want to use the information later, you may want to use a -global- instead
Fernando

[Nick Cox]

The local command in your do-file worked. It just did't do what you expect.

The point of a local macro is that it is visible only within the space in which it is created. That's what "local" means.

"Space" means each separate

program

or

do-file

or

(chunk of) do-file editor contents

or

interactive session.

If you want something in your do-file to be visible outside you must create it as something else, say a scalar.

More could be said at a more advanced programming level.

[Franziska Rust]

Thanks for your help!