question about substr

[cecily]

data a;
sub1="*"||substr(1234.5678,1,6)||"*";

run;

why in the result there are some blanks before 1234？

[PGStats · Accepted solution]

Read the SAS log! 

The first argument to SUBSTR must be of type character. A number will be converted to a right justified character string using sometinng like the BEST12. format, i.e. including some leading blanks. 

You can control the convertion result with functions PUT, LEFT, and STRIP.

[cecily]

thanks!