topic Re: Converting numeric variables to character in SAS Programming

Converting numeric variables to character

Ganeshk — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 18:05:34 GMT

Hi,

I have a 2 dataset. Let's say A and B. In which A data set contains only 1 variables (num_var) containing all numeric variables names (5 variable) of B data set.

On the other hand B data set contains 15 variables out of which 5 variable are numeric and 10 are character. So all these 5 variables are listed in A dataset.

Now i need to create a macro which trigger to change all those listed in A data set (5 variable) to character for the B dataset.

Let me know if you need any clarification.

Regards,

Ganesh K

Re: Converting numeric variables to character

Peter_C — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 22:47:40 GMT

Why would you want to change internal representation?
It makes no meaningful change - adds no intelligence.

Re: Converting numeric variables to character

ChrisNZ — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 23:00:04 GMT

Like this?

data A; 
  NUM_VAR='VAR1';
data _null_;
  set A end=LASTOBS;
  if _N_=1 then call execute('data B; set B;');
  call execute(catt(NUM_VAR,'C=put(',NUM_VAR,',32.16); drop'));
  call execute(catt(NUM_VAR,'C; rename '||NUM_VAR,'C=',NUM_VAR,';'));
  if LASTOBS then call execute ('run;');
run;

1 + data B; set B;
2 + VAR1C=put(VAR1,32.16); drop
3 + VAR1C; rename VAR1C=VAR1;
4 + run;

Re: Converting numeric variables to character

ballardw — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 23:53:48 GMT

@ChrisNZ wrote:

Like this?

data A; 
  NUM_VAR='VAR1';
data _null_;
  set A end=LASTOBS;
  if _N_=1 then call execute('data B; set B;');
  call execute(catt(NUM_VAR,'C=put(',NUM_VAR,',32.16); drop'));
  call execute(catt(NUM_VAR,'C; rename '||NUM_VAR,'C=',NUM_VAR,';'));
  if LASTOBS then call execute ('run;');
run;

1 + data B; set B;
2 + VAR1C=put(VAR1,32.16); drop
3 + VAR1C; rename VAR1C=VAR1;
4 + run;

Wouldn't you actually be more likely to use

if _N_=1 then call execute('data NewB; set B;');

at least for development at least to prevent destroying the original data set while working out the actual PUT format desired?

Re: Converting numeric variables to character

ChrisNZ — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 03:07:37 GMT

@ballardw Yes, good call.

I suppose the actual tables and variables are called something different, so just given as a model.

Re: Converting numeric variables to character

Ganeshk — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 10:32:42 GMT

Hi ChrisNZ,

Thanks for your response. I tried, but need different approach

Here is the below Data Set B : Lets consider sashelp.cars data set,

The highlighted Cars data set are numeric data variables.

Here is the listed Data Set A: Those highlight variable that of Data set B is captured as below:

Now using the macro 10 times automatically it need to to pick the variable from Data set A and Change Numeric to character in Data set B.

If i am converting numeric to character only for 1 variable, i will do code as below:

But i want the Variable name need to be picked up from Data set "A" and need to change in Data set B and saved as a new dataset.

Let me know on the query.

Thanks,

Ganesh K

Re: Converting numeric variables to character

andreas_lds — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 11:37:25 GMT

@Ganeshk wrote:

Hi ChrisNZ,

....

But i want the Variable name need to be picked up from Data set "A" and need to change in Data set B and saved as a new dataset.

This is exactly what the code posted by @ChrisNZ does.

Re: Converting numeric variables to character

Ganeshk — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 12:27:06 GMT

Hi Team,

I need to thank each and everyone, who took initiative to respond.

Actually @ChrisNZ solution is looking more precise and efficient but unfortunately i am not able to decode the code with respect to sashelp.cars dataset. Currently i am using multiple loops and macro logic. some how i am getting the desired result. But if @ChrisNZ can re-code with the respect to sashelp.cars data. I would accept @ChrisNZ solution.

Thanks, awaiting for the reply,

Regards,

Ganesh K

Re: Converting numeric variables to character

ChrisNZ — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 23:39:47 GMT

There was no mention to SASHELP.CARS data in the original question, and changing the code I provided to use different table names should be trivial.

So I'll leave to you to do as an exercise. You are learning SAS, right? So welcome this opportunity to learn a new technique that's much cleaner than macros.