topic Re: Formats in SAS Programming

Formats

robertrao — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 12:18:08 GMT

Hi,

I have asked similar question regarding formats earlier..

How can I create a charecter variable DISP shown below with a specific length for example length=2

DISP=put(DischargeDispositionkey,dispkey.);

Thanks

Re: Formats

RW9 — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 12:40:37 GMT

By using the length statement:

length DISP $2;

Not entirely sure what your question is, perhaps provide test data in the form of a datastep and required output.

Re: Formats

robertrao — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 12:47:09 GMT

Thanks for the reply.

DISP=put(DischargeDispositionkey,dispkey2.);

cant I use like this while the format is being applied itself???

Thanks

Re: Formats

RW9 — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 12:51:41 GMT

I can't remember from top of my head (I avoid using formats), this is a user format yes? You can try it, but I believe the format itself is just a display thing and length doesn't affect user formats. You could of course do:

DSIP=substr(put(DischargeDispositionkey,dispkey.),1,2);

Re: Formats

Astounding — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 14:04:38 GMT

You absolutely can do this. That's the reason that is illegal to name a user-defined format ending with a number. It gives you the flexibility to add the width later, when using the format.