topic Re: if Last.date then output - Returning blank results in SAS Programming

if Last.date then output - Returning blank results

KMW156 — Tue, 05 May 2015 11:24:49 GMT

I am trying to run the following code to keep only the last 'CreateDate' for each 'FileNo' however it is returning a blank dataset with the headers only.

date Dates_1;

set Dates;

If Last.createdate then output;

by FileNo;

Run;

Any assistance would be appreciated??

Thanks

Re: if Last.date then output - Returning blank results

Steelers_In_DC — Tue, 05 May 2015 12:14:36 GMT

without the by statement first. or last. will not work, simple fix:

date Dates_1;

set Dates;

by createdate; /*add this line, must be sorted by createdate*/

If Last.createdate then output;

Run;

Re: if Last.date then output - Returning blank results

KMW156 — Tue, 05 May 2015 12:20:30 GMT

I will try this now.

I assumed i would have to have it sorted by FileNo as i wanted to keep the last CreateDate for each FileNo.
I will post the outcome, although i am sure it will now work if it was a simple error as advised.

Thanks

Re: if Last.date then output - Returning blank results

RW9 — Tue, 05 May 2015 12:28:59 GMT

Ah, yes, I think you are trying to get the last file date for each file yes? Mark Johnson has provided the answer, however that will just give one record for the data. First you want to sort your data by fileno and create date, then:

date Dates_1;

set Dates;

by fileno createdate;

If Last.fileno then output;

Run;

This will give one row per file with the last create date.

You can do it in one step in SQL;

proc sql;

create table WANT as

select FILENO,

CREATEDATE

from HAVE

group by FILENO

having CREATEDATE=max(CREATEDATE);

quit;

Re: if Last.date then output - Returning blank results

Kurt_Bremser — Tue, 05 May 2015 12:34:54 GMT

I guess you wanted this:

proc sort data=Dates;

by FileNo createdate;

run;

data Dates_1;

set Dates;

by FileNo;

if last.FileNo;

run;

which will give you the latest createdate for any FileNo.

If you take a look at the log of your first try, you will get a clue where your problem is:

NOTE: Variable 'last.createdate'n is uninitialized.

A first. and last. pseudovariable is created only for those columns named in a by statement.