topic Re: Reading raw files in SAS Programming

Reading raw files

Bulleride — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 18:17:15 GMT

Why and how does this code proceed?

QUESTION
The contents of the raw data file EMPLOYEE are listed below:
----|----10---|----20---|----30
Ruth 39 11
Jose 32 22
Sue 30 33
John 40 44
The following SAS program is submitted:
data test;
in file' employee';
input employee_ name $ 1-4;
if employee_ name = 'Sue' then input age 7-8;
else input idnum 10-11;
run;
Which one of the following values does the variable AGE contain when the name of
the employee is "Sue"?

A. 30
B. 33
C. 40
D. . (missing numeric value)

Ans –C

Re: Reading raw files

Haikuo — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 18:37:37 GMT

This one is straightforward, without line holder @, as

input employee_ name $ 1-4 @;

The 'input' statement will move down to the next line of raw data. That is why you get '40'. With '@' in place, you get to stay on the same line, hence to get '30'.

Re: Reading raw files

Bulleride — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 19:04:57 GMT

Could you please explain what happens here as there is no @, and hence it would move to the next line. But how does it pick the value 40 then?
Please elaborate this processing a bit. Thanks in advance 🙂

Re: Reading raw files

Haikuo — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 19:09:54 GMT

'40' is one line below Sue's line, so

if employee_name = 'Sue' then input age 7-8;

will move down one line, where 'John' sits, to pick up '40'.