Proc compare showing matching values even after using OUTNOEQUAL Option

[Sunboyss30]

Hi,

I am trying to test two datasets to make sure both are same. I am using OUTNOEQUAL option to not report the matching values in the output. But somehow its still showing up. Any leads?

Attached is the outuput i am getting.

Regards,

[PeterClemmensen]

if you simply want to test if two data sets are exactly the same, then use PROC COMPARE and the generated &sysinfo. macro variable. The value of &sysinfo. will be zero for matching data sets.

[Sunboyss30]

Thanks for your inputs.

[RW9 · Accepted solution]

This is because of the way numbers are stored on the machine.  What you are seeing is one or the other (or possibly both) have a tiny fraction, for example:
123.0000000000000001

versus

123.00

You don't necessarily see this directly in the dataset and is usually the result of mathematical operations where the result is not rounded/processed properly.

Try fuzz=

as given in this post:

https://communities.sas.com/t5/SAS-Procedures/Proc-compare-numeric-decimal-rounding-up-in-the-Base-d...

And if your interested in it the full explanation:

http://documentation.sas.com/?docsetId=lrcon&docsetTarget=p0ji1unv6thm0dn1gp4t01a1u0g6.htm&docsetVer...

[Sunboyss30]

Thanks a lot RW9. it worked perfectly.

Many thanks again !

[Sunboyss30]

Hi,

Also to check for Date values. I have two variables defined as Date9. and Datetime20. which obviously give difference. But is there any way to match these. Do i need to convert the format of any of the variable to match it. Or any option in Proc compare is there?

Please suggest.

Regards,

[RW9]

Its a good idea to start a new thread for new questions

http://documentation.sas.com/?docsetId=proc&docsetTarget=p1l5iwaf47ma83n1euxxp10g8xh5.htm&docsetVers...

I don think there is an option for that.  Dates and datetimes are actually numbers, number of days or seconds since a certain point in time, hence they are very different.  You can only compare like for like.