Hi All.
I like to control the column ordering of my data with a format statement immediately after the data statement as such
data test; format type origin; set sashelp.cars; run;
, but I am yet to understand the logic as to why I do not get the same result when placing it after the set statement as
data test; set sashelp.cars; format type origin; run;
Can anyone enlighten me? 🙂
Regards.
When the compiler builds the data step, it creates the PDV from the code it encounters. When a set statement is read, the data set is opened and the columns are put into the PDV, unless they are already there (at least in name). Therefore the ordering is set in example 1 by the format statement, and in example 2 by the ordering in sashelp.cars.
When the compiler builds the data step, it creates the PDV from the code it encounters. When a set statement is read, the data set is opened and the columns are put into the PDV, unless they are already there (at least in name). Therefore the ordering is set in example 1 by the format statement, and in example 2 by the ordering in sashelp.cars.
Thank you, this makes sense.
Oreder of variables are defined by their first occurence in the datastep.
When you do SET before FORMAT, the order is taken from the input dataset.
Don't miss out on SAS Innovate - Register now for the FREE Livestream!
Can't make it to Vegas? No problem! Watch our general sessions LIVE or on-demand starting April 17th. Hear from SAS execs, best-selling author Adam Grant, Hot Ones host Sean Evans, top tech journalist Kara Swisher, AI expert Cassie Kozyrkov, and the mind-blowing dance crew iLuminate! Plus, get access to over 20 breakout sessions.
Learn how use the CAT functions in SAS to join values from multiple variables into a single value.
Find more tutorials on the SAS Users YouTube channel.