Choosing random character value

[VinitvictorCorr]

i want to assign a random string to a variable. If say i have to pick a character from the below list. can you suggest me a code?

"a","c","m","s","f","o"

Thanks

[PeterClemmensen · Accepted solution]

Do something like this

data _null_;
   array _{6} $ ('a','c','m','s','f','o');
   idx=rand('integer', 1, dim(_));
   RandLetter=_[idx];

   put RandLetter=;
run;

[VinitvictorCorr]

thanks again @PeterClemmensen 🙂

[VinitvictorCorr]

i tried rand before, but it said it wouldn't work on character values,but this is great

[FreelanceReinh]

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@VinitvictorCorr wrote:
i tried rand before, but it said it wouldn't work on character values,but this is great

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Alternative techniques to let RAND "work on character values" include

• the CHAR function (for single characters):
  

  RandLetter=char('acmsfo',rand('integer',6));

• the CHOOSEC function (for strings of any lengths):
  

  RandLetter=choosec(rand('integer',6),'a','c','m','s','f','o');

• the SCAN function (for strings of any lengths):
  

  RandLetter=scan('a c m s f o',rand('integer',6));

[novinosrin]

Sir @FreelanceReinh   Really love your CHOOSEC. My oh my honestly didn't expect, While it's easy to acknowledge the charm of how your thought process works, I recall Guru @data_null__  effecting the use of such functions and many more to super effect in his SAS-L posts. I wonder if SAS-L still exists, and if yes DN is even on it anymore. Anyways,  Just goes to prove, great minds think alike i.e you, king, PG, hashman etc are in a league of your own. Class act!

[FreelanceReinh]

Thanks, @novinosrin, but I'm not sure what's so inventive about using those character functions with a random number argument. 🙂

Regarding SAS-L: Since they started requiring a login even for read access (less than 6 years ago; at least my old links suddenly didn't work anymore, but led to a login screen) I haven't been there. But it was a valuable source of information for me in my earlier years (only reading, not posting). Luckily, a few of the SAS-L giants have joined the SAS Support Communities.

[novinosrin]

I meant, it's not about the inventive, it's just that not many would even think or search along the lines finding a function for a cause and would rather go with we/they know. I guess it's the presence of mind to look for what and where let alone how simple or complex that may be.

I am also glad that some of the SAS-L are right here. 🙂

[VinitvictorCorr]

wow,, thats awesome.. didnt know about these functions in sas.. Thanks 🙂

[ballardw]

And if for some reason you would like to have a random but not uniform chance of selection something like:

idx=rand('table', 0.2, 0.4, 0.1, 0.05, 0.15, 0.1);
RandLetter=_[idx];

You need to know the number of elements selected from and the numbers represent the percentage of selecting that position. They must add to 1 or you will either get a n+1 possible response if the sum is less than 1 with the probability not included in the total or examine the documentation as the possibilities get a bit harder to explain quickly.