topic Proc sort by ascending or descending value yields totally different results for the same dataset in SAS Programming

Proc sort by ascending or descending value yields totally different results for the same dataset

Vivv — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 22:49:52 GMT

Hi,

I am using SAS V9.4 to work with a dataset where there are more than one observations for a person. I am interested in a single observation for a person; however when I sort by descending order and select the first observation per case ID, I get a dataset much smaller than the dataset I get if I sort by the SAS default of ascending order. The two numbers aren't even close. Any ideas as to why this could be happening?

PROC SORT data=temp1;                                                                      
BY case_number  value;
  
DATA TEMP2;                                                                    
SET TEMP1; 
BY  case_number   value;
if FIRST.case_number;

PROC SORT data=temp1;                                                                      
BY case_number descending value;
  
DATA TEMP2;                                                                    
SET TEMP1; 
BY  case_number descending value;
if FIRST.case_number;

Re: Proc sort by ascending or descending value yields totally different results for the same dataset

mkeintz — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 23:14:46 GMT

Please show the log, including its report on the number of observations in TEMP2 -- for both orderings.

Re: Proc sort by ascending or descending value yields totally different results for the same dataset

Vivv — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 23:29:31 GMT

I just looked through the log and saw that it was an error in a subsequent data step that was causing my problems. Thank you!! I need to learn to check my sas log more.