How to replace character and number values in text file with SAS?

[bayar]

Hi there, 

I am trying to replace characters and digits of some variables in text file for masking purposes. The input is txt file and output is txt file. 

I want ID varaibles to replaced with 9999 and FirstName and LastName variables replaced with * leaving the first letter of the name as is in the source text file. I am using SAS EG 7.15 HF8. 

For example: MemberID: 123456 to 999999 

                      FirstName: John to J***

                      LastName:  Doe to D**

Please help,

Thank you

[r_behata]

Data have;
MemberID="123456";
FirstName="John";
LastName="Doe";output;
run;

Data want;
length MemberID FirstName LastName $10.;
set have;
MemberID="999999";
substr(firstname,2)="***";
substr(LastName,2)="***";
run;

[ballardw]

Do you have your data in SAS yet? If not the first step is to read the file. Possibly use the wizard for Import data would be the best start.

Is your membered actually a numeric value or character holding digits? This is import as the techniques would differ.

If the variable is actually numeric then just use:

id = 9999;

If the membered is character with digits then

id = translate(id,'999999999','1234567890');

one way to replace the last n characters

name = cats(substr(name,1,1),repeat('*',length(substr(name,2))));

Personally