topic Re: What does =: do? in SAS Procedures

What does =: do?

KevinC_ — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:04:30 GMT

Hello all,

Does anyone know what "=:" do in the following code?

data test_grid (keep = test_cell phone copy letter_type pcode);
set test_grid;
where mailing_cell_code =:'MO';

Thanks for any input!

Re: What does =: do?

Paige — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:20:31 GMT

It finds matches any text string that begins with the letters in quotes to the right of =:

Re: What does =: do?

KevinC_ — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:41:02 GMT

Thanks, Paige.

So in a way it works like INDEX? --- looking for certain text in a field?

Re: What does =: do?

sbb — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 21:01:58 GMT

The INDEX function scans the entire variable. The use of =: is similar to using SUBSTR(,1,) = '
Scott Barry
SBBWorks, Inc.

Re: What does =: do?

KevinC_ — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 01:05:55 GMT

Thank you, Scott!!