Maximum number of observations

[Sergiy Radyakin]

The following document indicates maximum number of observations in Stata as "unlimited".
However both from the file format specification, from help limits, and from practical observations it follows the maximum is still 2³¹-1.

. set obs 3000000000
obs must be between 0 and 2147483646
r(198);

I wonder if Stata 13 has introduced any mechanism to overcome this limit? or N=2³¹-1 remains binding for both 32- and 64-bit versions?

Thank you, Sergiy

[Todd Jones]

It appears that, at least using MP18.5 on a Mac, this has been increased to N = 2^40 - 2 = 1,099,511,627,774.

set obs 1099511627775
observation number out of range
    Observation number must be between 1,099,511,627,774 and
    1,099,511,627,774.  (Observation numbers are typed without
    commas.)

[Leonardo Guizzetti]

It appears that, at least using MP18.5 on a Mac, this has been increased to N = 2^40 - 2 = 1,099,511,627,774.

set obs 1099511627775
observation number out of range
Observation number must be between 1,099,511,627,774 and
1,099,511,627,774. (Observation numbers are typed without
commas.)

Was there a reason to excavate this old thread from over a decade ago? Current limits for each flavour of Stata are documented in -help limits-.

[Todd Jones]

I apologize.

(Not that it matters, but I found it interesting that the limit given in -help limits- (1,099,511,627,775) is one higher than the 1,099,511,627,774 referenced in my prior post.)

[Leonardo Guizzetti]

I apologize.

(Not that it matters, but I found it interesting that the limit given in -help limits- (1,099,511,627,775) is one higher than the 1,099,511,627,774 referenced in my prior post.)

Apologies aren't necessary. I was just wondering if there was some new issue being raised.