topic Re: first.* is unitialized in SAS Programming

first.* is unitialized

deleted_user — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 21:09:18 GMT

I have a set of data comprising of stock code, date and stock return. i want to find the first date of every code. i use the following:
proc sort data=p05;
by code date;
run;

data pp05;
set p05;
where FIRST.code =1;
run;

ERROR: Syntax error while parsing WHERE clause.
ERROR 180-322: Statement is not valid or it is used out of proper order.

and , where to find errow 189-322?

Re: first.* is unitialized

LinusH — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 21:49:43 GMT

In order to use first. syntax, you must use a BY statement in your data step: BY code;
The =1 is unnecessary, it is implied TRUE. And I don't believe you can use FIRST. together with WHERE (since WHERE does not aware of what is going on in the data step, IF is).

/Linus

Re: first.* is unitialized

deleted_user — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 22:49:38 GMT

tried the following:

proc sort data=p05;
by code ;
run;

data pp05;
set p05;
if FIRST.code ;
run;

but still doesn't work. so i guess maybe something is wrong with my SAS. i am going to school to use another computer to try
anyway, thank

Re: first.* is unitialized

SushilNayak — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 06:47:24 GMT

Hey tzsmile,
you forgot to put the by variable in the datastep...

proc sort data=p05;
by code ;
run;

data pp05;
set p05;
by code ;
if FIRST.code ;
run;

just add "by code ;" in the datastep like i have done in the above code and you'll see your code without any errors/ warnings.