how to code all variable names with different suffix in "IF" statement

[peachblozzom]

I have character variables, abscode_1, abscode_2, ..., abscode_8. I'm going to use "if & else" statement in SAS to create a new variable by selecting all the variables.

Here's my question.

I am going to assign a new variable as missing if all the variables are missing. But I don't know how to code this.

I would appreciate your help.

[PGStats]

Assuming abscode_i are numeric :

if n(of abscode_:) = 0 then call missing (new_variable);

PG

[Sudhakar_A]

Additional information to PGSTATS reply.

n() ==> will count the no of non-missing values in all the variable listed

Call missing will assign missing values to numeric or character variable which is listed in () so we need to decide the new variable typebefore using it in the function. or you can give it as New_variable=.;