[EpiData-list] Converting string to number

[epidata-list at lists.umanitoba.ca]

I tried the solutions given but it didn't work - 
purhaps I have made some errors. Here is the printout:

. read
Loading data C:\Data\Test.rec, please wait..
File name : C:\Data\Test.rec
Fields: 1 Total records: 3 Valid records: 3
*******************************************************************************************
NOTE: Test.rec contains the  variable var1 (string) and the following cases:
10/01
11/02
11/03
*******************************************************************************************
. Run "C:\DOCUME~1\STIG~1.UHL\LOKALA~1\Temp\TMP67F.Tmp"
. define var2 ##
Var Name VAR2 of type Integer
Var length: 2 decimals 0
. var2 = string(copy(var1,1,2))
Data type mismatch
. close
File closed
. read
Loading data C:\Data\Test.rec, please wait..
File name : C:\Data\Test.rec
Fields: 1 Total records: 3 Valid records: 3
. Run "C:\DOCUME~1\STIG~1.UHL\LOKALA~1\Temp\TMP680.Tmp"
. gen i var2 = string(copy(var1,1,2))
Data type mismatch


------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stig Uhlin            tel 090-786 60 71       Stig.Uhlin at umdac.umu.se
UMDAC                     070-591 03 04
901 87 Umeå           fax 090-786 67 62
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