Creating "IF - AND - THEN" variable

[jmguzman]

Hello SAS Community,

I want to create a new version of an existing variable that only includes the scores of that existing variable if they correspond to a specific score on another variable. I'm not sure if that makes sense - I've only been using SAS for a month or two. The "str_e2_sq" variable is the severity rating (1 - 4) of a particular stressful life event and the "foc_e2" variable is the rating (1 - 4) of the focus of that event (self, joint, other, pet/possession). So, I'm trying to create variable of severity ratings by the focus of the stressful life event.

This the code I thought would work:

Data = DHEASLES.sles_master;
set = DHEASLES.sles_master;
IF foc_e2 = 1 AND str_e2_sq GE . then str_e2_sq_new = str_e2_sq;
ELSE str_e2_sq_new = .;
run;

I got the following errors:

1 OPTIONS NONOTES NOSTIMER NOSOURCE NOSYNTAXCHECK;

68

69

70 Data = DHEASLES.sles_master;

____

180

ERROR 180-322: Statement is not valid or it is used out of proper order.

71 set = DHEASLES.sles_master;

___

180

ERROR 180-322: Statement is not valid or it is used out of proper order.

72 IF foc_e2 = 1 AND str_e2_sq GE . then str_e2_sq_new = str_e2_sq;

__

180

ERROR 180-322: Statement is not valid or it is used out of proper order.

73 ELSE str_e2_sq_new = .;

____

180

ERROR 180-322: Statement is not valid or it is used out of proper order.

74 run;

75

76 OPTIONS NONOTES NOSTIMER NOSOURCE NOSYNTAXCHECK;

86

Thank you so much for the help!

Best,

Joe

[Tom]

The DATA and SET statements do not use equal signs.

By adding them you have created what looks like assignment statements instead to create variables named DATA and SET.

[jmguzman]

Man, I'm not even sure why I put those equal signs there when I've never done that before. I guess that's what happens when you think that running code on a weekend night instead of relaxing is a good idea.

Thank you so much!

Best,

Joe