topic Re: can we concatenate a numeric and character and make it to character in cats or catx? in SAS Programming

can we concatenate a numeric and character and make it to character in cats or catx?

vraj1 — Fri, 19 May 2017 08:42:03 GMT

i have a variable duration(numeric) and unit(character).

i need to concatenate both and make them into character.

ADURN=cats(adurn,aduru);

but this fails as NOTE: Invalid numeric data.

is there any way to do in cat functions?

Re: can we concatenate a numeric and character and make it to character in cats or catx?

PeterClemmensen — Fri, 19 May 2017 08:45:38 GMT

like this?

data test;
	duration = 100;
	unit = 'years';
	adurn = cats(duration,unit);
run;

Re: can we concatenate a numeric and character and make it to character in cats or catx?

RW9 — Fri, 19 May 2017 08:49:13 GMT

I agree with @PeterClemmensen. One thing I would add is that it is generally advisable to put() numerics to text and cat the result, as then it is both in your hands what to do with the number, and clear to other users what is happening:

cats(put(number_var,3.),text_var);

Re: can we concatenate a numeric and character and make it to character in cats or catx?

vraj1 — Fri, 19 May 2017 08:51:01 GMT

i used a same step but somehow i get the error

data inc;
set adae;
ADURN=cats(adurn,aduru);
run;

ADURN is numeric and lenght as 8 and format as best12.

ADURU is char and length 40

NOTE: Character values have been converted to numeric values at the places given by: (Line):(Column).
959:9
NOTE: Invalid numeric data, '18Days' , at line 959 column 9.

Re: can we concatenate a numeric and character and make it to character in cats or catx?

PeterClemmensen — Fri, 19 May 2017 08:59:33 GMT

This happens because you are trying to change the variable ADURN's type from numeric to character.

You can not (and shouldn't try to) change the type of a variable once it has been defined.

Therefore, call ADURN something else at the left side of the equal sign