Character variables with varying number of "words" and how to parse them correctly in new variables

[Linlin · Accepted solution]

combining Art ant Tom's methods:

data x;

input VAR0 $40.;

cards;

ABC_F_P_LOW

DEF_K__HIGH

ZPQ_M_X_MEDIUM

GKL_J_B

;

data want;

set x;

array v{4} $ ;

do _n_=1 to 4;

  v{_n_}=scan(tranwrd(var0,'__','_ _'),_n_,'_');

end;

proc print;run;

                         obs    VAR0              v1     v2    v3    v4

                         1     ABC_F_P_LOW       ABC    F     P     LOW

                         2     DEF_K__HIGH       DEF    K           HIGH

                         3     ZPQ_M_X_MEDIUM    ZPQ    M     X     MEDIUM

                         4     GKL_J_B           GKL    J     B