SAS Programming 3: Advanced Techniques -- Numeric Formats using Picture statement

[TheresaM]

I'm just checking my understanding.  From what I understand, if the following is correct:

Then is the following not correct?  My responses would have been:  189.87%, 696.20% and 31.54%.

[mkeintz]

In the program below

proc format ;
  picture mypct  low-high='009.99%'  (multiplier=100 ) ;
run;
data _null_;
  do percent=1.8987,6.6920,0.3165;
    put 'Default Format: ' percent=  @36 'Using mypct: ' (percent) (mypct.) ;
  end;
run;

the log shows:

Default Format: percent=1.8987     Using mypct:   1.89%
Default Format: percent=6.692      Using mypct:   6.69%
Default Format: percent=0.3165     Using mypct:   0.31%

Consider the first value (1.8987):

1. First, the "multiplier=100" option converts 1.8987 to 189.87
   
   
2. Then remember that the picture will be applied only to digits to the left of the decimal point, i.e. only to 189.  I think this is where you are being thrown off.  Ignoring the digits after the post-multiplier decimal provides a way to treat 1.8987 the same as 1.8900 (which would become 189 under "multiplier=100").   They both only have the same three digits to the left of the decimal point.
   
   
3. Finally, applying '009.99%' picture to the digits 189, proceeding from right to left, yields 1.89%.

You can take a close look at the "multiplier=n" sections of PICTURE Statement 

[ballardw]

Shorter answer: the 9 in a picture format is a digit selector. So if the format selects ONE decimal place as in your '009.9' then it will only display one decimal place.

[mshahbazi]

Hi TheresaM,

I hope you're doing well. Could you introduce me a course's website or center that you participated for preparation SAS Advanced Exam A00-232. It would be appreciated to let me know by email ashi@myself.com?

Thanks,

[TheresaM]

Hi there!

I am so incredibly happy and relieved to have passed the Advanced exam!  Let me see if I can recall everything I did.  Primarily, I took the advice from others here and studied EVERYTHING listed in the Advanced Programming Professional section of the exam prep resources listed here:  https://www.sas.com/en_us/certification/training-exam-preparation.html#962b715a-0b93-4df7-afad-35e7e...

I also read these books cover to cover, and did all the questions that were in the books:

* SAS Certified Professional Prep Guide: Advanced Programming Using SAS 9.4

* The Little SAS Book (used primarily for BASE SAS test but reread it when taking advanced exam)

I also took the practice exam a dozen times.  It’s always the same exam so at some point it’s less useful, but the questions are very similar to the questions you’ll see in the exam.  

I'll email you this info directly too.  Best of luck to you!!

-Theresa

[mshahbazi]

Hello,

Thank you for your response. I passed the SAS advanced performance-based A00-232 in my first attempt. 

[TheresaM]

@mshahbazi , that's awesome!! 🎉  Happy to hear, and thanks for letting us know! 🙂 

[mshahbazi]

I am looking for a job position regarding my field ( statistics) and SAS programing. Please let me know if you find some!!

[TheresaM]

It's difficult!  I am still looking for a SAS job myself.  But it sounds like you have more relevant background than I do. Look for some SAS Users Groups in your area -- that might help in terms of networking. I attended the Boston Area SAS Users Group conference last fall and met a lot of really nice, helpful people and saw some great presentations. Also, put a post on your LinkedIn that you are looking for a SAS-related job. Someone in your network might be able to refer you to a job. 

Best of luck to us both! 🙂