Distance between days

[dlansdowne0090]

How can I calculate the days between a given date and dates imported to SAS EG via a csv file - dates in the Date9 format. Is it possible to do this via the query builder?

[Reeza]

Yes, do a compute field and subtract the dates. 

You can specify your date as '01Jan2016'd

It HAS to be specified in this manner. 

This assumes that when you imported the data you created a SAS date variable, it has a numeric type and a date format. 

[Chokin]

As above you need to do a compute field

You can use the INTCK Function get the difference between days - i.e

INTCK('Day','01APR2016"D,"06APR2016"D)

The result in this example is 5

[TomKari]

And you can definitely use intck in the query builder. I don't know why, I just feel more "professional" using it to calculate number of days between two dates. Makes no sense, I know!

Tom

[LinusH]

@TomKari it definitely looks more advanced 😆

[Kurt_Bremser]

Usage of INTCK will be robust if SAS (ever) changes the internal format of date values.

It is also easier to adjust if datetime values need to be compared, as only 'DAY' needs to be changed to 'DTDAY'.

[TomKari]

Thank you Kurt! I now have a reasonable explanation for my OCD-like behaviour!!

Tom

[ChrisHemedinger]

In addition to the INTCK function -- super robust and flexible, as @TomKari and others point out, there is a simpler (conceptually) DATDIF function.  You can add as a Computed Column, Advanced Expression in the Query Builder.  Example:

DATDIF(t1.Shipped,t1.Returned,'act/act')

[TomKari]

Well, as I always tell people, there's at least twelve ways to do everything in SAS!