[U] User's Guide

378 [ U ] 28 Using the Internet to keep up to dateTo summarize: Stata can read files over the Internet:1. You can share datasets, do-files, etc., with colleagues all over the world. This requires no specialexpertise, but you do need to have a web page.2. You can update Stata; it is free, easy, and fast.3. You can find and add new features to Stata; it is also free, easy, and fast.Finally, you can create a site to distribute new features for Stata.28.2 Sharing datasets (and other files)There is just nothing to it: you copy the file as-is (in binary) onto the server and then let yourcolleagues know the file is there. This works for .dta files, .do files, .ado files, and, in fact, allfiles.On the receiving end, you can use the file (if it is a .dta dataset) or you can copy it:. use http://www.stata.com/manual/chapter28, clear. copy http://www.stata.com/manual/chapter28.dta mycopy.dtaStata includes a copy-file command and it works over the Internet just as use does; see [D] copy.Technical noteIf you are concerned about transmission errors, you can create a checksum file before you copythe file onto the server. In placing chapter28.dta on our site, we started with chapter28.dta inour working directory and typed. checksum chapter28.dta, saveThis created the new file chapter28.sum. We then placed both files on our server. We did not haveto create this second file, but because we did, when you use the data, Stata will be able to detecttransmission errors and warn you if there are problems.How would Stata know? chapter28.sum is a short file containing the result of a mathematicalcalculation made on the contents of chapter28.dta. When your Stata receives chapter28.dta, itrepeats the calculation and then compares that result with what is recorded in chapter28.sum. Ifthe results are different, then there must have been a transmission error.Creating a checksum file is optional.See [D] checksum.28.3 Official updatesAlthough we follow no formal schedule for the release of updates, the fact is that we update Stataabout once every two weeks. You do not have to update that often, although we recommend that youdo. There are two ways to check whether your copy of Stata is up to date:typeor. update querySelect Help > Official UpdatesClick on http://www.stata.com