Extracting data from differing values

[jmmedina252]

Hello, I have data values that look like this for column test:

    Copper (mg/kg), DM Basis
    Total Digestible Nutrients, %, DM Basis

I need to get the string before the "(" or if it doesn't have that character, the string before the ","

So far I've tried this and it hasn't worked

    if test contains "(" then test1 = scan(test, 1, "(");
       else if test contains "," then test1 = scan(test, 1, ",");

[Kurt_Bremser]

To search for a specific character, use the INDEXC function. The data step language does not have a CONTAINS operator.

[Tom · Accepted solution]

You should be able to just let SCAN() do that for you by telling it to use both ( and comma as delimiters.

test1 = scan(test, 1, "(,");

The only problem would if you want to convert

This has, comma, and (parentheses) in it.

to the longer string

This has, comma, and

instead of just

This has