topic Re: If specific character found in string then return string in SAS Programming

If specific character found in string then return string

serrld113 — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 16:15:33 GMT

I have this data set and need to select the observations that have a particular character in the string and then (edit) ~~spit out~~ RETURN the particular string containing that character..

For example, if I want the observations containing 'G' then I'd need to get these: ZGZZX, GZZZZ, HSGZZ. If I wanted the observations containing 'X' then I'd return: ZGZZX

Thank you

data temp;
input string $;
datalines;
ZGZZX
GZZZZ
ZZZZZ
HSGZZ
;
run;

Re: If specific character found in string then return string

ballardw — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 16:13:38 GMT

"spit out" is certainly ambiguous.

The INDEX function is one way to find single characters anywhere in a string.

rc = index(string, 'G');

the variable RC will have a value greater than 0 if G is found. Note that is a case sensitive comparison and would not find "g".

Other search functions such as FINDC may also work depending on exact requirements.

Re: If specific character found in string then return string

serrld113 — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 16:22:12 GMT

Thank you, I edited my post to be more clear. I know to use INDEX (I believe the value returned would be the position where the character is found within the string) but I would like for the program to return the actual string where the character was found.

Re: If specific character found in string then return string

Reeza — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 16:24:25 GMT

Data want;
Set have;
If find(‘G’, variable)>0;
Run;