How can I evaluate a variable to create other if the if function does not allow the like operator?

[Angel_Saenz]

How can I evaluate a variable to create another if the if function does not allow the like operator?

For example is easy if var is numeric, like:

IF VAR1 = 0 THEN VAR2 = 'A';

But if I need to evaluate something inside string of characters how can it be?

some like:

IF VAR1 LIKE "%A%" THEN VAR2 = "CONTAINS LETTER A"

What operator can I replace to LIKE?

[art297 · Accepted solution]

Either the INDEX or FINDC functions.

Art, CEO, AnalystFinder.com

[Angel_Saenz]

thank you Art, and do you know how can I do it like a evaluate a list?

I know this does not work but is only an example:

IF VAR1 IN ('%A%','%B%','%C%') THEN VAR2  = 'CONTAINS LETTERS A B or C'

If I use this works:

IF INDEX(VAR1,'A') THEN VAR2 = 'CONTAINS LETTERS A B or C'

IF INDEX(VAR1,'B') THEN VAR2 = 'CONTAINS LETTERS A B or C'

IF INDEX(VAR1,'C') THEN VAR2 = 'CONTAINS LETTERS A B or C'

But is it possible to simplify it?

I simplified like this:

IF INDEX(VAR1,'A') or INDEX(VAR1,'B') or INDEX(VAR1,'C') THEN VAR2 = 'CONTAINS LETTERS A B or C'

but is there another way tah you know more shorten? some like:

IF INDEX(VAR1,'A','B','C') THEN VAR2 = 'CONTAINS LETTERS A B or C'

Thanks

[Jagadishkatam]

Please try

if prxmatch('m/[abc]/i',VAR1) then VAR2="CONTAINS LETTER A or B or C";

[Jagadishkatam]

alternatively we could try the perl regular expression like below

if prxmatch('m/[a]/i',VAR1) then VAR2="CONTAINS LETTER A";

[art297]

the findc function allows you to both find if a string contains one or more of the variables in a list, as well as ignore case (if desired). e.g.:

data want;
 informat string $23.;
 input string &;
 if findc(string, 'abc', "i") then
 want='Contains A, B or C';
 datalines;
Microsoft Office Visio
Microsoft Office Word
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe PhotoshopPro
Internet Explorer
;

Art, CEO, AnalystFinder.com