topic Re: Need help creating a new variable using existing variable... in SAS Procedures

Need help creating a new variable using existing variable...

RazzleBayker — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 18:56:54 GMT

code Hi guys,

I was wondering if anyone knew how to create a new variable by performing a simple mathematical operation on an existing column.

I've shown the operation im trying to do in the NEW COLUMN):

EXISTING COLUMN NEW COLUMN

-1

-5 (-5) - (-1)

7 ( 7) - (-5)

-3 (-3) - ( 7)

2 etc...

I basically need to create a new column that subtracts existing observation #1 from #2, existing observation #2 from #3, and so on...

Any ideas as to how I can write a code for this?

Thanks in advance.

Linlin — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 19:01:11 GMT

data want;

set your_dataset;

new=EXISTING_ COLUMN-lag(EXISTING_ COLUMN);

run;

Astounding — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 19:08:18 GMT

Also note ... we use LAG quite often, so often that we might forget about:

data want;

set your_dataset;

new_column = dif(EXISTING_COLUMN);

run;

Linlin — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 19:10:57 GMT

That is so true. Thank you! - Linlin

RazzleBayker — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 19:18:24 GMT

Thank you guys so much, I appreciate the help.