Help to understand a few SAS symbols

Mirisage — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 18:11:26 GMT

Hi SAS Forum,

This code was written by another programmer.

I am trying to understand two symbols highlighted in yellow color in it.

%if &income = 0 %then %do;

data wave_2;

set wave_1;

by transit_branch acctnumber;

if ~(first.acctnum and last.acctnum) then do;

if currbal ~= (acctbal * -1) then delete;

end;

run;

%end;

%else %do;

proc sort data=wave_1 out=wave_2 nodupkey;

by transit_branch acctnumber;

run;

%end;

Could you please let me know if the way I understand it correct.

if ~(first.acctnum and last.acctnum) then do;

This means,

if not (first.acctnum and last.acctnum) then do;

if currbal ~= (acctbal * -1) then delete;

This would mean:

if currbal ne (acctbal * -1) then delete;

Thanks

Mirisage

Re: Help to understand a few SAS symbols

ArtC — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 18:17:21 GMT

Yes the ~ is another symbol for not. In addition to the word 'not' you can also use the ^ symbol. On the mainframe this symbol looks different but is still the shift-6 key. Some languages use <> or >< for variations of not equal. These two combinations have different meanings in SAS and IMO should be avoided.

topic Help to understand a few SAS symbols in SAS Procedures

Help to understand a few SAS symbols

Re: Help to understand a few SAS symbols