Datalines statement not creating desired data output

[sharonlee]

Hi,

I am having problems creating a new SAS dataset.  Here is my code:

data cars6;
infile DATALINES DLM="," ;
input category $ category_desc $ ;
CARDS;
A00,This group will go inside

Y83,This group will go to the outside yard and have a snack at lunch
;
run;
PROC PRINT DATA=cars6(OBS=5);
RUN;

proc contents data = cars6;run;

I want the output to be two columns, exactly how I entered the data.  However, when proc contents has set both variables set to length 8.  So my variables are being truncated.

I'm feeling frustrated because I already put in a deliminater of a comma. 

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks.

[Kurt_Bremser · Accepted solution]

The default length for a character variable is 8, so that is what you experience. You can force a larger length in the INPUT statement like this:

input category $ category_desc :$50.;

[sharonlee]

Thanks!!