Creating a new variable calculated from values of different lines

[Engel]

Dear SAS experts, In my data set (animal behavior) I would like to create a new variable:  the time interval between two events. There exists the variables 'first (starting time of  behavior)’ and 'Last (ending time of behavior)' per line (see attached table). I am interested in the time interval between 'last' in line n and 'first' in line n + 1. I really appreciate your help 🙂

[art297 · Accepted solution]

Can't you just use the lag function?  e.g.:

libname art "c:\art";

data want;

  format difference time8.;

  set art.inter;

  by datum name;

  last_last=lag(last);

  if first.name then call missing(last_last);

  difference=first-last_last;

run;

[Haikuo]

Echo with Art, you can also use dif(); sorry, Art, for stealing your code:

data want;

  format difference time8.;

  set art.inter;

  by datum name;

/*  last_last=lag(last);

  if first.name then call missing(last_last);*/

  difference=ifn(first.name,.,dif(last));

run;

Haikuo

[art297]

: I don't mind your "stealing" the code, but your solution doesn't meet the OP's requirements.  You are taking the difference between last and the previous last.  The OP wanted the difference between the current first and the previous last.

[Haikuo]

Oops, my bad. Now I know why you choose to use lag(). Haikuo

[Engel]

Dear Arthur, thank you very much! It is exactly what I wanted. Best regards from Germany Engel