topic Re: When I change a character variable to numeric, it deletes the rest of the data set. HELLPP!!! in SAS Procedures

When I change a character variable to numeric, it deletes the rest of the data set. HELLPP!!!

cathreid — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 14:16:46 GMT

So when I try to change one of my variables in a data set (397 observations), it deletes the entire data set. I am not sure what im doing wrong, but I am constantly running into the same problem. I made a copy of the original data set so I would not erase the original. Here is my code:

data cat.pat93;
set cat.pat92;
run;

data cat.pat93;
set cat.pat93;
fldVL_1_numeric=input(fldVL_1,best5.);
run;

Proc contents of cat.pat92

Proc contents of cat.pat93

Re: When I change a character variable to numeric, it deletes the rest of the data set. HELLPP!!!

Astounding — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 14:22:08 GMT

This would happen if your DATA step with the INPUT function omitted the SET statement (by mistake).

Re: When I change a character variable to numeric, it deletes the rest of the data set. HELLPP!!!

RW9 — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 14:44:03 GMT

What does the log say?

Re: When I change a character variable to numeric, it deletes the rest of the data set. HELLPP!!!

Reeza — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 15:00:28 GMT

I suspect the error is in something else not here. Check your log thoroughly for notes or warnings.

Also, I highly recommend against the coding style used below where you use the same name in the data and set statement. Once you make a mistake in a step it's hard to correct or test with this style, instead make sure the DATA and SET statements refer to unique data sets.

data cat.pat93;
set cat.pat92;
run;

data cat.pat93;
set cat.pat93;
fldVL_1_numeric=input(fldVL_1,best5.);
run;

Re: When I change a character variable to numeric, it deletes the rest of the data set. HELLPP!!!

Kurt_Bremser — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 17:48:22 GMT

As can be seen in the output from proc contents, fldVL_1 is already numeric, so the conversion makes no sense.

And POST THE LOG.