Hello,
I know it is possible to name a variable with a dash as: "variable-name"
But when the dash is followed by a number I am having issues, i.e.: "beta3_-1"
This is not being recognized as a variable although it is the name of a column in my dataset, using single quotes is not working. Could anyone give me a suggestion on how I can reference this variable please? I'm sure it's a simple thing, I don't mean to waste anyone's time but I haven't been able to find a simple answer.
Thanks a lot,
-Ryan
By default, in Base SAS, you can't name a variable with a -. You can label a variable with dashes though.
Or you can set options validvarname=any;
And then name them however you want. But then you ahve to refer to them as "beta3_-1" instead of beta3_1.
A dash is NOT allowed in a variable name unless you have the option validvarname=any set.
By default, in Base SAS, you can't name a variable with a -. You can label a variable with dashes though.
Or you can set options validvarname=any;
And then name them however you want. But then you ahve to refer to them as "beta3_-1" instead of beta3_1.
Thanks a lot guys, simple enough.
you can use the quoted-string qualifier N
after a variable name that contains special characters:
options validvarname=any;
data _null_;
attrib "var-A"n length = 8
'var B'n length = 8
'var! Really?'n length = 8;
array Whiz(*) _numeric_;
do I = 1 to dim(Whiz);
Whiz(I) = I**I;
end;
put (_all_) (=);
run;
'var-A'n=1 'var B'n=4 'var! Really?'n=27 I=4
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