topic Re: 'If do' question in SAS Procedures

'If do' question

brophymj — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 14:21:05 GMT

If I want to write code that changes the value of 2 or more fields if another field has a certain value i normally write

If Field1 = 'X' then do:

Field2 = 'Y';

Field3 = 'Z';

end;

Instead of using If-do is there a way you can write it like if Field1 = 'X' then Field2 = 'Y' and Field3 = 'Z'??

Re: 'If do' question

RW9 — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 14:49:01 GMT

Not that I know of. Your if syntax above looks fine to me, and reads far better than a long string version such as you request, e.g. I can instantly see that there are two variables being manipulated and what is assigned simply by observing the indented text, it would really bug me if I started seeing code like:

if a=b then a=2 and b=5 and c=5 and d=3 and e=e and...;

Re: 'If do' question

Kurt_Bremser — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 14:56:02 GMT

"and" is a logical operator and not a tool to string statements together.

If you are inclined to write unreadable spaghetti code, "if field1='X' then do;field2='Y';field3='Z';end;" in one line will do nicely.

/sarcasm