How to select first obs of multiple records

[Kiko]

Hello 

I have a variable called Plural in my dataset (numeric; 1-8; 9=unknown). Since for those w. Plural >1 will have duplicate values for the variables I am interested in, I want  SAS to keep only one record (doesn't matter which) when Plural >1. Does anyone know how to do this? 

Thank you! 

[Shmuel]

You haven't post test data.

You can use proc sort with option NODUPKEY to achieve one observation of

any plural occurence.

[Kiko]

Thank you for your reply. But if I PROC SORT w. NODUPKEY by Plural SAS will get rid of the most obs because most of the obs in my dataset has Plural=1. I want SAS to pick one record only when Plural >1. 

[Shmuel]

please post an example - some test data to explain what you have and the desired result.

[Kiko]

ID       DOB        DATE1     DURATION    PLURAL   FEEDING 

1        2/2/85       4/8/16           30                  2               YES

2        2/2/85       4/8/16           30                  2                NO

3        4/2/79       5/1/14            1                   3             

4        4/2/79       5/1/14            1                   3                NO

5        4/2/79       5/1/14            1                   3

6        8/1/12       5/1/16           10                  1                 NO

7        1/2/14      10/1/17           2                   1                 

8        8/1/12      8/1/15             1                   1                 NO 

So here's what my dataset kind of looks like. 

ID and Feeding are collected from child. DOB, DATE1, DURATION, PLURAL are from mother. I am interested in the variable DURATION. Since DURATION is assigned to mother I'd like to keep only one record of this variable when Plural is greater than 1. If Plural=1 then there is only one record so I don't have to worry about it. 

Hope this makes sense! Thank you!

[Shmuel · Accepted solution]

Check next code:

proc sort data=have out=want nodupkey;
  by DOB DATE1 PLURAL;
run;

Do you prefer the record with FEEDIN=YES or FEEDING=NO ?

If you have a preference then use next code:

proc sort data=have out=temp;
  by DOB DATE1 PLURAL 
       {ascending or descending } FEEDING;
run;

data want;
 set temp;
  by DOB DATE1 PLURAL;
       if first.plural;
run;