Convert variable data types from char to date

[Sam22]

I have a data set that has variables assign_date1 to assign_date50. They are date variables but in character format
E.g sample values - 2021-05-24 ; 2021-04-15

I am trying to convert them to date using arrays and do loop. The date format that I want the values to be - 24MAY2021 ; 15APR2021. Below is the code that I am using

Data test;
Set dataset ; /*data set sample name*:

/* Existing date variables in character form*/
Array assign_date_array(50) $ 10
Assign_date1-Assign_date50;

/*Variables that would store the converted date variables*/

Array new_date_array(50)
New_date1-New_date50;

Do I =1 to 50;

New_date_array[i] = input(assign_date_array[i] , yymmdd10.);

Format new_date_array[i] date9.;
End;
Drop I;
Run;

Code runs when I exclude the format line. But as soon as I execute with format line I get error 85-232- Expecting a format name

The code runs fine when I run with individual Column name I.e not with do loop and array

[Astounding]

I don't think the FORMAT statement accepts an array reference.  Remove the FORMAT statement from the loop, and just code:

format Assign_date1-Assign_date50 date9.;

[Tom]

FORMAT statements want the name(s) of the VARIABLES.  I cannot take an indirect reference to a variable since it it is not executable.  It just defines what format to attach to the vairable.

data test;
  set dataset ;
  array assign_date [50] ;
  array new_date [50] ;
  format new_date1-new_date50 date9.;
  do I =1 to 50;
    new_date[i] = input(assign_date[i] , yymmdd10.);
  end;
  drop I;
run;

[ballardw]

Format statement does not recognize array references.

However you can use a single format statement:

format new_date:  date9.;

anywhere in the data step.

The colon is a list indicator and says "use all the variable names that start with New_date".

You can simplify your code a little bit by using:

Array new_date(50);

That will create variables named New_date1 through New_date50 and you use New_date[i] .