How to convert a date into numerical for subtraction

[Saleh sharmah]

Dear members

I have the following date: 12-Dec-15 and would like to convert it to numerical so I can great a dummy variable equal to one if the data is less than 12-Dec-15 and zero otherwise.

What’s the right code to convert the data so I can use to create the dummy variable?

thanks for your help

[Nick Cox]

See help datetime and try

gen wanted = daily(whatever, "DMY", 2025)

on the assumption that you have a string variable here.

[Saleh sharmah]

Thanks Nick for your response. The date is destringed .

[Nick Cox]

It's hard to know how 12-Dec-15 has passed through destring. You should give us a data example if #2 is not enough guidance.

[Nick Cox]

Two separate threads confused me. Sorry to be so dumb, but please don't do that.

[Saleh sharmah]

sorry Nick, the duplicated thread was due to an internet connection. My apology.