topic Select group statement error. in SAS Programming

Select group statement error.

gfdan3011 — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 04:45:39 GMT

I am just a very beginner SAS programmer. I am trying to do the following inside a data step:

data work.gifts;

set orion.nonsales;

length Gift1 $7 Gift2 $10;

Gift1=select (Gender) when ('M') 'gloves'

when ('F') 'scarves'

otherwise 'caffee'

end;

run;

However I am getting this error:

ERROR 68-185: The function SELECT is unknown

Gender is a variable included already in the nonsales table and Gift1 and Gift2 are two new variables that I am trying to conditionally initialize based on the value in the variable Gender.

Any help would be really appreciated! Thank you!

Re: Select group statement error.

Patrick — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 06:46:40 GMT

SELECT in the Base SAS language is a statement and not a function. You can only use functions on the right side of an equal sign.

Using the SELECT statement your code could look as follows (untested):

data work.gifts;
  set orion.nonsales;
  length Gift1 $7 Gift2 $10;
  select(gender);
    when('M') gift1='gloves';
    when('F') gift1='scarves';
    otherwise 'coffee';
  end;
run;

Re: Select group statement error.

ChrisBrooks — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 06:49:53 GMT

Your syntax is slightly wrong - you're using SELECT as a function when it's a statement.

There are some examples of correct usage and documentation here -> http://support.sas.com/documentation/cdl/en/lestmtsref/68024/HTML/default/viewer.htm#p09213s9jc2t99n1vx0omk2rh9ps.htm

Re: Select group statement error.

gfdan3011 — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 02:32:19 GMT

Thank you so much Patrick! It did work!

I was trying to find that wrong example that I used as an inspiration but without success. If I will find it, I will post it and let SAS know about it.

Also, I apologize for my late reply! I had to prepare for a couple of interviews.

Thank you again!

Re: Select group statement error.

gfdan3011 — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 02:36:21 GMT

Thank you Chris! You were right! I really appreciate the web link too!