Creating a subset by selecting a specific character string

[FoxMulder]

Hi all,

I am new using SAS, so probably this is a simple question, but I am stuck. I need to create a subset of a file by selecting observations for a specific name that contains a specific character string, let's say 'Smith'. for example, the data is like this:

data test;
   input name $;
   datalines;

Will, Smith
Diana, Ross
Diane, Keaton
Sally, Field
Willy, Thomas
David, Platt
Ana, Smith

;

run;

My code is like this:

data test;
set test;
      where name contains 'Smith';
run;

proc print;
run;

The code works properly for names, like 'David', but I am interested in  last names, like Smith. Unfortunately it is not working for last names.

Any advice is welcome.

Regards

[user24feb]

You have to rectify your input statement:

input name $ 1-30;

[PeterClemmensen · Accepted solution]

Keep an eye on the length of your character variable 'name', like this

data test;
   input name $20.;
   datalines;
Will, Smith
Diana, Ross
Diane, Keaton
Sally, Field
Willy, Thomas
David, Platt
Ana, Smith
;

data test;
set test;
      where name contains 'Smith';
run;

proc print;
run;

[Ksharp]

SCAN() can pick up the last name.

if scan(name,-1)='Smith' then ...............