{smcl}
{* 27mar2006}{...}
{hline}
help for {cmd:sqegen}{right:(SJ6-4: st0111)}
{hline}

{title:Extensions to generate (for sequence data)}

{p 8 17 2}{cmd:egen}
[{it:type}]
{it:newvar}
{cmd:=}
{it:sqfcn}{cmd:()}
{ifin}
[{cmd:,} {it:options}]


{title:Description}

{pstd} {helpb egen} creates {it:newvar} of the optionally specified storage
type equal to {it:sqfcn}{cmd:()}. Unlike standard {cmd:egen} syntax, argument
of {it:sqfcn}{cmd:()} is generally left empty.


{title:Functions}

{phang} {cmd:sqelemcount()} [{cmd:,} {opt e:lement(#)} {cmd:gapinclude}]
generates a variable holding the number of different elements in each
sequence. If {cmd:gapinclude} is specified, variables get defined even for
sequences containing gaps. Missing values are generally counted as an element
of their own. You might consider using {cmd:sqset} with option {cmd:trim} to
get rid of superfluous missings.

{phang} {cmd:sqepicount()} [{cmd:,} {opt e:lement(#)} {cmd:gapinclude}]
separates a sequence into sections of equal elements (called "episodes"), and
generates a variable holding the number of episodes for each sequence.
With option {cmd:element()} only the number of episodes of the specified
element is generated. If {cmd:gapinclude} is specified, variables get defined
even for sequences containing gaps. Episodes with missing values are
generally counted as an element of their own. You might consider using
{cmd:sqset} with option {cmd:trim} to get rid of superfluous missings.

{phang} {cmd:sqlength()} [{cmd:,} {opt e:lement(#)} {cmd:gapinclude}]
generates a variable holding the length -- the number of positions -- of each
observed sequence.  With option {cmd:element()}, the length of all episodes of
the specified element is generated. If {cmd:gapinclude} is specified,
variables get defined even for sequences containing gaps. Episodes with
missing values adds to the length of the sequences. You might consider using
{cmd:sqset} with option {cmd:trim} to get rid of superfluous missings.

{phang} {cmd:sqgapcount()} generates a variable holding the number of
gap episodes in each sequence. Only gaps within a sequence is counted
as gap (see {help sq##3:sq}). You might consider using {cmd:sqset} with option
{cmd:trim} to get rid of "gaps" at the beginning or the end of sequences.

{phang} {cmd:sqgaplength()} generates a variable holding the overall
length of gap episodes in each sequence. Only gaps within a sequence
is counted as gap (see {help sq##3:sq}). You might consider using {cmd:sqset}
with option {cmd:trim} to get rid of "gaps" at the beginning or the end of
sequences.


{title:Author}

{pstd}Ulrich Kohler, WZB, kohler@wz-berlin.de{p_end}


{title:Examples}

{phang}{cmd:. egen length = sqlength()}

{phang}{cmd:. egen length1 = sqlength(), element(1) gapinclude}

{phang}{cmd:. egen elemnum = sqelemcount()}

{phang}{cmd:. egen epinum = sqepicount()}


{title:Also see}

{psee}Manual:  {bf:[D] egen} 

{psee}Online: {helpb egenmore} (if installed), {helpb sq}, {helpb sqdemo}, {helpb sqset},
{helpb sqdes}, {helpb sqegen}, {helpb sqstat}, {helpb sqindexplot},
{helpb sqparcoord}, {helpb sqom}, {helpb sqclusterdat},
{helpb sqclustermat}
{p_end}