error: flag ambiguous abbreviation

[Ellen Kiley]

I have copied and pasted this same code successfully many times to create different variables within the NIS dataset. Now all of a sudden I get this error message: "flag ambiguous abbreviation" and can't figure out why. All help appreciated!

Here is the code: use "/Users/ellenkiley/Library/Mobile Documents/com~apple~CloudDocs/Documents/NIS_PROJECT/Student Projects/Lior/Lior_fullsample_16", clear

foreach v of varlist I10_DX1 - I10_DX40 {
icd10cm generate flag_`v' = `v', range (O24.011/O24.33 O24.81/O24.93 E08.00/E13.49 Z79.4)
replace flag = flag_`v' if flag_`v' > flag & flag_`v' != .
}

egen max1=rowmax(flag_I10_DX*)
tab max1, m

egen total1=rowtotal(flag_I10_DX*)
tab total1, m

gen codes1 =I10_DX1 if flag_I10_DX1 == 1
foreach v of varlist I10_DX1 - I10_DX40 {
replace codes1 = `v"' if flag_`v' == 1
}

tab codes1, m

rename codes1 codes_PEDM
rename flag ICD_PEDM
rename max1 max_PEDM
rename total1 total_PEDM
drop flag_I10_DX*

tab codes_PEDM, m
tab ICD_PEDM,m
tab max_PEDM, m

save "/Users/ellenkiley/Library/Mobile Documents/com~apple~CloudDocs/Documents/NIS_PROJECT/Student Projects/Lior/Lior_fullsample_17", replace


Here is the output:

use "/Users/ellenkiley/Library/Mobile Documents/com~apple~CloudDocs/Documents/NI
> S_PROJECT/Student Projects/Lior/Lior_fullsample_16", clear

.
. foreach v of varlist I10_DX1 - I10_DX40 {
2. icd10cm generate flag_`v' = `v', range (O24.011/O24.33 O24.81/O24.93
> E08.00/E13.49 Z79.4)
3. replace flag = flag_`v' if flag_`v' > flag & flag_`v' != .
4. }
(0 real changes made)
flag ambiguous abbreviation
r(111);

end of do-file

[George Taylor]

This error means that you have no variable in your dataset called 'flag', but you have multiple variables that begin with 'flag'. Do you want to generate an empty or 0 'flag' variable beforehand? I am afraid I can't help more without your data (see instructions for this in FAQ 12.2).

[Ellen Kiley]

Thanks! I forgot the gen flag = 0
resolved!