topic Re: INTNX function - strange behaviuor in SAS Programming

INTNX function - strange behaviuor

Lucas — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 10:31:20 GMT

Hi,
Does anyone can explain what is the bahaviour of INTNX function when 'interval' argument is an integer number?

data test1;
format date1-date6 date.;
date1=intnx("1",today(),0,"b");
date2=intnx("2",today(),0,"b");
date3=intnx("3",today(),0,"b");
date4=intnx("4",today(),0,"b");
date5=intnx("5",today(),0,"b");
date6=intnx("6",today(),0,"b");
run;

The results are unexpected for me 😕

Re: INTNX function - strange behaviuor

Peter_C — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 12:24:33 GMT

Lucas

You are missing something.
Have you looked at the examples in the on line doc?

Re: INTNX function - strange behaviuor

Lucas — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 13:47:51 GMT

Peter.C

Of course I have looked. It is always first thing I try to do 🙂
Unfortunately there is nothing about situation I have mentioned.
There is only description of intervals like 'Year', 'Month', 'Week'...

Re: INTNX function - strange behaviuor

sbb — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 14:10:25 GMT

Okay - please explain what you are attempting to accomplish with INTNX and what result would you like to see - show data values, please.

Scott Barry
SBBWorks, Inc.

Suggested Google advanced search argument, this topic / post:

using dates intnx site:sas.com

Re: INTNX function - strange behaviuor

LAP — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 19:52:32 GMT

I think you are misinterpreting what you can use as an interval. In the explantion of the intnx function there is a link that explains valid values.

The syntax explanation clearly states

interval
specifies the NAME of the basic interval type. For example, YEAR specifies yearly intervals.

For a complete list of the valid values for interval, see the Intervals Used with Date and Time Functions table in SAS Language Reference: Concepts.

I don't see '1','2' etc. listed in this table. Message was edited by: LAP

Re: INTNX function - strange behaviuor

ArtC — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 20:15:54 GMT

Lucas,
Are you pointing out an oddity? Like: "why didn't I get an error for using an unspecified interval?".

I believe the default interval is DAY and that the numbers are being picked up as interval multipliers. Which shows us a bit about how the interval is parsed when multipliers and shift operators are included. Consider this variation of your code:
[pre]data test1;
format date1-date6 date.;
date1=intnx("1",today(),0,"b");
date2=intnx("2",today(),0,"b");
date3=intnx("3",today(),0,"b");
date4=intnx("4",today(),0,"b");
date5=intnx("5",today(),0,"b");
date6=intnx("6",today(),0,"b");
output;
date1=intnx("day1",today(),0,"b");
date2=intnx("day2",today(),0,"b");
date3=intnx("day3",today(),0,"b");
date4=intnx("day4",today(),0,"b");
date5=intnx("day5",today(),0,"b");
date6=intnx("day6",today(),0,"b");
output;
run;
proc print data=test1;
run;[/pre]

Re: INTNX function - strange behaviuor

Peter_C — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 22:48:37 GMT

Lucas
pardon me for the inappropriateness of my response
I misjudged the objective of your posting
Your posting has served to inform us
as demonstrated by ArtC
That you can shift a default interval
interesting
peterC

Re: INTNX function - strange behaviuor

art297 — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 22:56:22 GMT

Peter,

Santa Clause was concerned there for a moment.

Art

Re: INTNX function - strange behaviuor

Peter_C — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 09:10:12 GMT

😉