topic Re: The "<>" operator is interpreted as "MAX". in SAS Programming

The "<>" operator is interpreted as "MAX".

GenDemo — Thu, 20 Oct 2016 03:06:58 GMT

Hi All

I am wondering if anyone knows why I sometimes get the following note when using the "<>" ('unequal') operator in a data step procedure:

NOTE: The "<>" operator is interpreted as "MAX".

Sometimes this happens in a proc sql as well...

Re: The "<>" operator is interpreted as "MAX".

PGStats — Thu, 20 Oct 2016 03:26:22 GMT

The "<>" operator doesn't have the same meaning everywhere

See

http://support.sas.com/documentation/cdl/en/lrcon/68089/HTML/default/viewer.htm#p00iah2thp63bmn1lt20esag14lh.htm

Re: The "<>" operator is interpreted as "MAX".

Reeza — Thu, 20 Oct 2016 04:06:14 GMT

In a data step, <> is the max function.

In SQL it is Not Equals.

In most languages <> means not equals, so SAS warns you otherwise. I would use a max function to avoid the message.

Re: The "<>" operator is interpreted as "MAX".

GenDemo — Thu, 20 Oct 2016 04:30:48 GMT

Ah Thank you

This basically explains it: Note: In a WHERE statement or clause, the <> operator is equivalent to NE.

Re: The "<>" operator is interpreted as "MAX".

ballardw — Thu, 20 Oct 2016 14:10:04 GMT

Things like this are one reason I use the GE LE and NE instead of >= or <= or <>, different possible interprtations and having to remember is it >= or =>.