Export sas data set into txt file-double quotation in values

[Ronein]

Hello

I am using data step to export sas data set into txt file.

When I open the txt file via notepad I see that it looks like that

My questions-

1-Why the values are with double quotation??

2-Let's say that there are missing values (numeric and char) in the sas data set .

In such situation do you recommend replacing the missing values into null (It means that for missing numeric the value will be null instead of dot and for char value the value will be also null)? 

IT can be done by 

options MISSING='';

%let file_extract=/usr/local/SAS/SASUsers/LabRet/Adhoc/creditCards/RRRRRR6.txt;
%put &file_extract;
data _null_;
file "&file_extract." dsd dlm = '|';
set sashelp.cars;
put (_all_) (~);
run;

[Ronein]

I see, By using the DSD option, columns containing the delimiter will be quoted. What is the advantage of using DSD? MAy it happen that in column value there is same value like the delimiter and then there will be a problem to recognize the columns correctly?

I am not sure IF the users of the txt file want to see the values with double quotation....

What do you recommend me to do?

[Amir · Accepted solution]

Hi,

You have answered your first question:

1-Why the values are with double quotation??

with your 2nd post:

I see, By using the DSD option, columns containing the delimiter will be quoted. What is the advantage of using DSD? MAy it happen that in column value there is same value like the delimiter and then there will be a problem to recognize the columns correctly?

I am not sure IF the users of the txt file want to see the values with double quotation....

What do you recommend me to do?

And your second question:

2-Let's say that there are missing values (numeric and char) in the sas data set .

In such situation do you recommend replacing the missing values into null (It means that for missing numeric the value will be null instead of dot and for char value the value will be also null)? 

IT can be done by 

options MISSING='';

has an answer from your 2nd post, viz., ask the users of the file what their requirements are when it comes to missing character (always blank) and numeric (missing option) values.

So in answer to your question in your 2nd post:

What do you recommend me to do?

contact the users of your output, and make sure they confirm their requirements in writing.

Thanks & kind regards,

Amir.