Default length of a numeric variable?

[kisumsam]

Hi, I have learned that the default length of a numeric variable is 8. However, when I use the length statement on a numeric variable, it returns 12.

data test;
a = 1;
len = length(a);
run;

The result is 12:

Does anyone know why?

Thanks,

Sam

[RichardDeVen · Accepted solution]

LENGTH is a character function. You are asking for the character length of a numeric variable. A read of the LENGTH documentation will tell you:

If string is a numeric constant, variable, or expression (either initialized or uninitialized), SAS automatically converts the numeric value to a right-justified character string by using the BEST12. format. In this case, LENGTH returns a value of 12 and writes a note in the SAS log stating that the numeric values have been converted to character values.

Important take away.... read the log.

[kisumsam]

Great thanks!

[Tom]

You are comparing apples and oranges.

The LENGTH() function returns the length of a value, not the storage length of the variable.  Use the VLENGTH() function to find out the defined storage length for a variable.  The reason you get 12 is because the LENGTH() function works on character strings, not numbers.  SAS will convert the number to a character string using the BEST12 format.  So no matter what numeric value you try to pass to the LENGTH() function the answer will always be 12.