Why a works but b not?

[George_S]

Why a works but b not?

Thanks!

data a;

input dt mmddyy10.;

format dt date9.;

cards;

05/07/1953

;

run;

data b;

input dt mmddyy10.;

cards;

05/07/1953

;

format dt date9.;

run;

[MikeZdeb · Accepted solution]

Hi ... the data step ends with that semi-colon after the cards value(s).  Look at the LOG ...

14   format dt date9.;

     ------

     180

ERROR 180-322: Statement is not valid or it is used out of proper order.

It's telling you that the FORMAT statement does not belong there.

Also, you do not need that RUN statement after a CARDS (or DATALINES) file ,,, the semi-colon is enough to end the data step.

[Reeza]

Because nothing after the last line of the cards/dataline statement are processed.

Think of that last semi-colon (;) as an output statement.