BookmarkSubscribeRSS Feed
DSW
Calcite | Level 5 DSW
Calcite | Level 5

Suppose that I had a data set that contained a list of names that contained additional columns that group names based on name type (first, last, or middle) and length (short or long):

 

IDNameTypeLengthName
1FirstShortJon
2FirstLongAlexander
3MiddleShortTodd
4MiddleLongWilliam
5LastShortSmith
6LastLong

Stephanopoulos

 

How can I create all unique combinations of names from each of the groups by selecting only 1 first name that is either short or long, 1 middle name that is either short or long, and 1 last name that is either short or long?  For example:

 

JonToddSmith
JonWilliamSmith
JonToddStephanopoulos
JonWilliamStephanopoulos
AlexanderToddSmith
AlexanderWilliamSmith
AlexanderToddStephanopoulos
AlexanderWilliam

Stephanopoulos

 

I thought that proc plan would work but I can't figure out how to do it.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

1 REPLY 1
ballardw
Super User

Here's one way:

data have;
   informat id best4. NameType $6. Length $5. Name $25.;
   input ID NameType Length Name   ;
datalines;
1 First Short Jon 
2 First Long Alexander 
3 Middle Short Todd 
4 Middle Long William 
5 Last Short Smith 
6 Last Long Stephanopoulos
;
run;


proc sql;
   create table FirstAndMid as
   select a.name as firstName, b.name as Middlename,c.name as Lastname
   from
      (select name from have 
         where Nametype='First') as a,
      (select name from have 
         where Nametype='Middle') as b,
      (select name from have 
         where Nametype='Last') as c
   ;
quit;

   

Note that I basically ignore the length as you didn't have any duplicate names with different lengths within a type.

 

SAS Innovate 2025: Save the Date

 SAS Innovate 2025 is scheduled for May 6-9 in Orlando, FL. Sign up to be first to learn about the agenda and registration!

Save the date!

How to Concatenate Values

Learn how use the CAT functions in SAS to join values from multiple variables into a single value.

Find more tutorials on the SAS Users YouTube channel.

SAS Training: Just a Click Away

 Ready to level-up your skills? Choose your own adventure.

Browse our catalog!

Discussion stats
  • 1 reply
  • 806 views
  • 1 like
  • 2 in conversation