topic what would be the best way for ClaimID defined as char or numer in different dataset in SAS Programming

what would be the best way for ClaimID defined as char or numer in different dataset

JenniferK — Fri, 18 Feb 2022 19:32:11 GMT

Hi, I have the scenario that I have to use retain statement for claimID variable. When some data have ClaimID as numeric value and some have as character value, can I create a macro that passes through with checking the ClaimID type?

I need to create something like %if CLAIMID = numeric value %then %do;

data work.createclaimID;

%if CLAIMID = numeric value %then %do;

length INI_ClaimID 8. ;

set sortedsrc;

by MemID

retain INI_;

if first.MemID then do;

INI_ClaimID = .;

end;

%end;

%if CLAIMID = character value %then %do;

length INI_ClaimID $60. ;

set sortedsrc;

by MemID

retain INI_;

if first.MemID then do;

INI_ClaimID = ‘ ‘;

end;

%end;

Re: what would be the best way for ClaimID defined as char or numer in different dataset

JenniferK — Fri, 18 Feb 2022 21:06:13 GMT

Here is the solution if anybody needs it.

/** sample data set **/
data sortedsrc;
claimid=123;
memid=1;
run;

data sortedsrc2;
claimid='123';
memid=1;
run;

%macro lst(dsn);
/** open dataset **/
%let dsid=%sysfunc(open(&dsn));

/** retrieve the type of the variable claimid and place in macro variable &typ **/
%let x=%sysfunc(varnum(&dsid,claimid));
%let typ=%sysfunc(vartype(&dsid,&x));

/** close dataset **/
%let rc=%sysfunc(close(&dsid));

data final_&dsn;
set &dsn;
by MemID;
retain INI_:;

%if &typ = C %then %do;
length INI_ClaimID $60. ;
if first.MemID then do;
INI_ClaimID = ' ';
end;
%end;
%else %do;
length INI_ClaimID 8. ;
if first.MemID then do;
INI_ClaimID = .;
end;
%end;
run;

%mend lst;
%lst(sortedsrc);
%lst(sortedsrc2);

Re: what would be the best way for ClaimID defined as char or numer in different dataset

Reeza — Fri, 18 Feb 2022 21:20:00 GMT

Congrats on finding the answer yourself 🙂

One suggestion for your code, to make it more general, you can use CALL MISSING which applies to both numeric/character variables instead of assigning missing values. Length statements usually need to be before the SET statement for variables that already exist as well but if it worked for you I guess you're fine.

data final_&dsn;

%if &typ = C %then 
      length INI_ClaimID $60. ;
%else 
     length INI_ClaimID 8. ;


set &dsn;
by MemID;
retain INI_:;

if first.MemID then call missing(INI_ClaimID);

run;