topic Re: Input Statement Not Turning Blue in SAS Programming

Input Statement Not Turning Blue

camigyrl161 — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 23:02:18 GMT

I am trying to convert a character variable to a numeric variable using the input statement. It is the first line of my code after importing my data and running proc contents. However, when I use the code below, the 'input' does not turn blue, and nothing changes in my log or resulting proc contents when I run the code.

*change character variable to numeric;

data work.dtgdata1;
set library.dtgdata;
hiv_years = input(hivyears, $3.);
run;

'Input' will turn blue if it is written at the beginning of a line of code, but not after an equal sign, and I'm not sure what other methods to use to create a numeric variable. If someone could offer some insight about this I would appreciate it!

Re: Input Statement Not Turning Blue

SASKiwi — Sun, 15 Nov 2020 00:23:11 GMT

I'd wouldn't get too hung up on SAS editor colour coding. The proof in whether your program works or not is in your SAS log and output - no errors, warnings and the expected output is found.

BTW, your INPUT function should use a numeric INFORMAT (no dollar sign) if you want a numeric result: hiv_years = input(hivyears, 3.);

Re: Input Statement Not Turning Blue

camigyrl161 — Sun, 15 Nov 2020 00:35:32 GMT

Unfortunately I don't think the code is working--the log makes no mention of "character values were changed to numeric" or anything like that, and then the data set reports out with 0 observations. I was describing the color to indicate that I think there is a specific problem with the input function after an equal sign, as it turns blue and my log is correct when I use input as the first word in the line of code.
Thank you for pointing out the INFORMAT mistake--I made that change but it still doesn't seem to be fixing the problem.

Re: Input Statement Not Turning Blue

SASKiwi — Sun, 15 Nov 2020 02:13:03 GMT

Since your program appears to have other issues please post your SAS log of the complete program and not just the last step.

Re: Input Statement Not Turning Blue

Tom — Sun, 15 Nov 2020 02:44:31 GMT

Your program does not have an input statement. Instead you have an assignment state where the value being assigned is the result of the INPUT() function. It is not clear what editor you are using, but the SAS Display Manager's "enchanced" editor does not color code function names.

You INPUT function call is just taking the first three characters from the variable HIVYEARS. The $ informat simply converts text into text. It would be clearer to use the substr() function (or the newer substrn() function).

hiv_years = substr(hivyears,1,3);