Multiple commands in one line stored in a local

[Martin Mueller]

I have a problem executing a local with multiple Stata commands separated by ";".

If I use this code

sysuse auto, clear

#delimit ;
regress price weight; su price;
#delimit cr

the two commands are executed correctly.

However, if I like to create a local with the commands,

local multiple_commands = "regress price weight; su price"

#delimit ;
`multiple_commands';
#delimit cr

Stata returns

; invalid name
r(198);

.

Can someone tell me how to fix this? I tried to use different characters before the delimiter ";" such as `;' or \;, but it did not work.
"
Thank you in advance!
Martin

[Leonardo Guizzetti]

I would suggest to you that, instead of using locals to smuggle a sequence of commands, rather you can put those command into their own do file and then simply -include- that do file where they are needed. It makes it easier than trying to hack around with changing delimiters, and it's cleaner to read and maintain.