extract part of character string to create new varaible

[Ruhi]

Hi All

I need help to find the best way to extract part of my character string which is like this:

choice(Var name)

yes

yes

no

yes-book

yes-internet

no

.

.

.

.

., now I need to create a new variable from this variable by deciding if it has a yes or yes-"something" then new var = 1 else if its no, new var=0;

I can do it but looking for the best way to do so.

Second problem,

I have to rename all variables in my data set, which are like 1 , 2 , 3 ,4 and so in original dataset. I read the excel file in sas and it transformed them into _1, _2 , _3 and so on . I want to change them all  to say Q1, Q2, and so on. Please suggest an efficient way.

Thanks for you time.

[slchen · Accepted solution]

Flag variable:

data have;

input string $20.;

_string=findw(string,'yes','_','ik')>0;

cards;

yes

yes

no

yes-book

yes-internet

no

no_book

New YES

;

run;

Change variables names:

data want;

   set have;

   array chars _character_;

   array nums _numeric_;

  do over chars;

      chars=translate(chars,'Q', '_');

  end;

do over nums;

      nums=translate(nums,'Q', '_');

  end;

run;

[Haikuo]

This may not be the answer you are waiting for, as it may only have uncompleted code or concept

1. Any of these functions will work for you: Index, Indexw, find, findw, prxmatch.

2. If your table is huge, I 'd recommended you to use Proc datasets + Macro to rename, Macro is to be generated using dictionary tables. If your table is not that big, then the following should work:

data want;

set  have;

rename _1-_10=Q1-Q10;

run;

Good luck,

Haikuo