what is the difference?

[George_S]

The two mathods get same result but what is their difference?

Thanks!

data class2;

set sashelp.class;

if age=12;

run;

data class3;

set sashelp.class;

where age=12;

run;

[Hima · Accepted solution]

There is no difference at this instance but there is a difference at other instances. One example would be

data exam;
input name $ class $ score ;
if name = 'Tim' or name = 'Sally';
cards;
Tim math 9
Tim history 8
Tim science 7
Sally math 10
Sally science 7
Sally history 10
John math 8
John history 8
John science 9
;
run;

proc print; run;

Output:

                                Obs    name     class      score

                                 1     Tim      math          9
                                 2     Tim      history       8
                                 3     Tim      science       7
                                 4     Sally    math         10
                                 5     Sally    science       7
                                 6     Sally    history      10

data exam;
input name $ class $ score ;
where name = 'Tim' or name = 'Sally';
cards;
Tim math 9
Tim history 8
Tim science 7
Sally math 10
Sally science 7
Sally history 10
John math 8
John history 8
John science 9
;
run;

proc print; run;

Log:

736  data exam;

737  input name $ class $ score ;

738  where name = 'Tim' or name = 'Sally';

ERROR: No input data sets available for WHERE statement.

739  cards;

[George_S]

Thanks!

[art297]

Also, take a look at: http://www2.sas.com/proceedings/sugi31/238-31.pdf

[Linlin]

some other differences:

data class3;

set sashelp.class(where=(age=12));/*you can't replace where with if */

run;

/***********************************/

data class4;

  set sashelp.class;

  newage=age+2;

  if newage>15;/*you can't replace if with where */

run;

/*********************************/

proc print data=sashelp.class;

  where age>14;

run;/*you can't replace where with if */

/*************************************/

data class5;

   set sashelp.class;

   where age between 12 and 14;

run;/*you can't replace where with if */

Linlin

[Haikuo]

Please correct me if I am wrong, my not-so-accurate memory tell me that the major difference between where and if lies on the where they function.

'if' acts in between pdv and output, also in a sequential way; while 'where' plays before pdv in a random access way, that is also why 'where' can work with index.

Haikuo