From 6-digit job codes to 2-digit job codes.

[Duy To]

Hello everyone,

I have one question that I am pretty sure is easy for everyone, but not for me. Below is an example of data. ID is a person's ID, and jobcode_6 is a 6-digit code for an occupation. How can I generate a 2 digit code from a 6-digit code for an occupation? For example, ID 1 and 2 would be under the same job category (i.e., 11), and ID 3 and 5's occupation code is 12, and ID 4 is 13. I have tried the -destring- command, but it fails since jobcode_6 is non-numeric (e.g., 11198X).

* Example generated by -dataex-. For more info, type help dataex
clear
input float ID str20 jobcode_6
1 "112564"
2 "11198X"
3 "126783"
4 "13649Y"
5 "126112"
end

I appreciate your help. Stay safe.

[Chen Samulsion]

gen jobcode_2=substr(jobcode_6,1,2)