How to generate N rows based on a value in a column?

[SteinOk]

I am trying to create a new dataset based on an existing dataset.

My data contains a unique ID and number of observations (N_OBS) for each unique ID, as shown in the code below.

data have;
input ID $ N_OBS;
cards;
01 0
02 1
03 3
04 2
;
run;

I am trying to create a row for each unique value connected to the ID, so if ID='03' has 3 observations in N_OBS, i would like 3 rows with the ID '03' counting the number of observations OBS1-OBS3.

The end result i am looking for would be:

data want;
input ID $ OBS_ID $;
cards;
02 OBS1
03 OBS1
03 OBS2
03 OBS3
04 OBS1
04 OBS2
;
run;

I am uncertain how to approach this problem, and tips/help would be appreciated.

[PaigeMiller · Accepted solution]

data have;
input ID $ N_OBS;
length obs_id $ 16;
if n_obs>0 then do i=1 to n_obs;
obs_id=cat('obs',i);
output;
end;

drop i n_obs;
cards;
01 0
02 1
03 3
04 2
;
run;

[ballardw]

@PaigeMiller 

I may have spent too much time on this forum.  My initial idea for a solution varied by exactly 2 characters from yours, basically style choices.

[PaigeMiller]

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@ballardw wrote:

@PaigeMiller 

I may have spent too much time on this forum.  My initial idea for a solution varied by exactly 2 characters from yours, basically style choices.

---

Alternative explanation: great minds think alike.

Alternative explanation 2: birds of a feather flock together

[SteinOk]

Thank you, i am very pleased i was able to learn something new about how SAS handles if statements.