Variables are merged but not the actual values are not merged

[Markov]

Dear experts,

I have tried to merge some variables with numerical values from one table(table b) to another table(table a) using SQL left join (on a.year=b.year and a.codeA=b.codeA and a.codeB=b.codeB).

What it returns me is the table with the variables what I wanted from table b (let's say INCOME AGE etc) but no numerical values from table b. I see no error message in log.

What could be the reason for this results?

Best,

MB

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Thanks for your replies, experts.

I have attached the data sets (table a and table b) as well as result table where I am having trouble mentioned in the original discussion).

SAS Code I used is as the following;

proc sql; create table sample_result

as select a.*, b.edu, b.mhincome, b.mage

from sample_a as a left join sample_b as b

on a.year=b.year and a.state_code=b.state_code and a.co_code=b.co_code;

quit;

Thank you for your help!

MB

[Astounding]

Well, we're looking at neither your code nor your data so it's a bit of a guess.  Here are a couple of basic things to check.

Does Table B actually contain non-missing data for INCOME, AGE, etc.?

Since you are performing a LEFT JOIN, is it possible you are getting records from Table A that have no match in Table B?

There are plenty of SQL gurus lurking here who might have better ideas if they could see your code.

Good luck.

[Reeza]

You probably did something wrong.  But we can't tell you what because you haven't told us what you did

[Fugue · Accepted solution]

There are two potential problems.

You are joining table B to table A using a LEFT JOIN. This means you will get all records in table A even if there are no matching rows in table B. This also means that you will not get rows in table B that do NOT exist in table A. This is fine if this is what you want.

For example, table A does not have a row where "state_code = 55 and co_code = 87 and year=1980". But, there is a corresponding row in table B. But, because you are left joining B to A, the resulting table will not have a row where "state_code = 55 and co_code = 87 and year=1980".

Your second problem is probably why you are not getting the results you expect. Your two tables have inconsistent formats for variables in table A vs table B. In particular, the year variable in table B has a YEARw format whereas the same variable in table A is formatted BEST12. The table B format is interpreting the year variable as a date value.

Try this:

proc sql; create table sample_result2

as select a.*, b.edu, b.mhincome, b.mage

from tmp2.sample_a as a

left join tmp3.sample_b as b

on put(a.year, 4.0) = put(b.year, year4.) and a.state_code=b.state_code and a.co_code=b.co_code;

quit;

[Reeza]

To add to Fuge response, its that the underlying data is actually different.

proc print data=sample_b;

format year;

var year;

run;

[Markov]

Thank you Reeza! Yes, I can now see that it was creating the trouble. I learned one lessen today

[Markov]

Thank you Fugue! I was aware of the first concern but your second concern and suggestion actually made it work!

Thanks for your help.

MB