topic Re: Dates Stored as Numbers in SAS Programming

Dates Stored as Numbers

sb1062204 — Tue, 13 Oct 2020 15:30:59 GMT

Hi, I'm attaching my code. I'm not sure what else to add, but the last date 8/2/20 will not print out as a number in my results.

/* Use list style of input read in the above data such that the
dates are stored as numbers(SAS dates). Print
the resulting data set without formatting it*/
Data Power;
Length Brand $5 ;
Input Brand $
Install :DATE9.
Replace :MMDDYY8. ; /*dates are stored as numbers*/
/*list style of input but do not format*/
datalines;
Zap 13MAR2019 12/20/19
Jolt 29FEB2020 9/29/20
Shock 25MAR2020 8/2/20
;
run;
proc print data=Power;
run;

This is my results:

Brand Install Replace

Zap	21621	21903
Jolt	21974	22187
Shock	21999	.

How do I get observation 3 under replace to print?

Thank you

Re: Dates Stored as Numbers

jimbarbour — Tue, 13 Oct 2020 15:36:25 GMT

Interesting.

I would try informat ANYDTDTE10. instead of MMDDYY8., but I'm not sure that's it.

I would next try coding an INFILE and trying first a MISSOVER and second a TRUNCOVER parameter on the INFILE.

Jim

Re: Dates Stored as Numbers

jimbarbour — Tue, 13 Oct 2020 15:43:30 GMT

Oh, and the reason I say "interesting" is because when I paste your code into Enterprise Guide, it runs just fine. Are you using SAS Studio (Univ Edition is one form of SAS Studio)?

Make sure your datalines are all hard up against the left margin.

For any future posts of code or log files, please use the buttons on the reply window. It really makes it easier for us to see what's going on.

Jim

Re: Dates Stored as Numbers

ballardw — Tue, 13 Oct 2020 15:44:36 GMT

The code you posted, at least as shown, runs and gets a valid date for me for the 8/2/20 value.

If you are actually reading from an external file and having this issue then copy the lines from that file and paste into a code box opened on the forum using the </> icon to preserve formatting.

Or check your source code for other characters that the message window on the forum may have reformatted so that the code shown is not what you actually have.

Re: Dates Stored as Numbers

sb1062204 — Tue, 13 Oct 2020 15:52:54 GMT

The spacing in the datalines was off, thank you so much for your help

Re: Dates Stored as Numbers

jimbarbour — Tue, 13 Oct 2020 15:54:31 GMT

I have a secret way of knowing these things (I've done it too). 🙂 Glad it worked out.

Jim