SAS Sample: Sample 41880 (reading in a directory)

toucan — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 15:27:35 GMT

Hi,

I was looking at a sample SAS code: Sample 41880. It's url is:
http://support.sas.com/kb/41/880.html

In the full code tab, there is a line that looks like this (close to the top of the program):
if input(substr(line,1,10), ?? mmddyy10.) = . then delete;

Can someone tell me what the two question marks do?

Thanks. No worries, it's in the documentation. It suppresses messages for invalid data in case anyone is interested.

Message was edited by: toucan

Re: SAS Sample: Sample 41880 (reading in a directory)

sbb — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 16:24:24 GMT

You will find an explanation in the SAS Language Dictionary discussion on the INPUT statement processing -- it has to do with how SAS reacts to an invalid-data or missing-data condition for the particular INFORMAT being used.

Scott Barry
SBBWorks, Inc.

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SAS Sample: Sample 41880 (reading in a directory)

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