Need help with the sas code for specifying all numerical variables

[mdoddala]

data dummy;
input q1 q3 q4 q2 q6$ bu$ q5;
cards;
1 2 3 5 sa an 3
2 4 3 6 sm sa 4
6 5 3 8 cb na 3
;
proc print;
run;

data dummy1 (drop= q1--q5);
set dummy;
sum=sum(of_numeric_);
proc print;
run;

Need help with this code. I'm getting a blank output for the sum variable.

Thanks,
Mohan

[PeterClemmensen]

Hi and welcome to the SAS Communities 🙂

Use an Array Statement to get all numeric variables and sum over the array

data dummy;
input q1 q3 q4 q2 q6$ bu$ q5;
cards;
1 2 3 5 sa an 3
2 4 3 6 sm sa 4
6 5 3 8 cb na 3
;

data dummy1;
   set dummy;
   array nums[*] _numeric_; 
   sum=sum(of nums[*]);
run;

proc print;
run;   

[mdoddala]

Is it wrong to use of_numeric_?

[PeterClemmensen]

No. Not at all. Just an alternative 🙂 Your code works well too if you correct a small typo:

data dummy;
input q1 q3 q4 q2 q6$ bu$ q5;
cards;
1 2 3 5 sa an 3
2 4 3 6 sm sa 4
6 5 3 8 cb na 3
;

data dummy1;
   set dummy;
   sum=sum(of _numeric_);
run;

proc print;
run;

[mdoddala]

Thank you @PeterClemmensen 🙂

[novinosrin · Accepted solution]

Hi @mdoddala   Your code is fine and works well.. just a typo

data dummy;
input q1 q3 q4 q2 q6$ bu$ q5;
cards;
1 2 3 5 sa an 3
2 4 3 6 sm sa 4
6 5 3 8 cb na 3
;


data dummy1 (drop= q1--q5);
set dummy;
sum=sum(of _numeric_);
run;

The typo was 

sum=sum(of_numeric_);

 instead of 

sum=sum(of _numeric_);

[mdoddala]

Thank you so much @novinosrin 🙂 for pointing out my mistake.

[novinosrin]

You are welcome!

[mdoddala]

Also @novinosrin , what are the other ways I can use of _numeric_? Is it possible to use in proc print statement? Please let me know. Thank you very much again for your help:) 

[novinosrin]

I assume other ways meaning other scenarios 

Yes anywhere variable lists usage is permitted

for example

proc print data=dummy;
var _numeric_;
run;

proc print data=dummy(keep=_numeric_);
run;

and so on and so forth

[novinosrin]

data dummy;
input q1 q3 q4 q2 q6$ bu$ q5;
cards;
1 2 3 5 sa an 3
2 4 3 6 sm sa 4
6 5 3 8 cb na 3
;


data dummychar(keep=_char_) dummynumeric(keep=_numeric_);
set dummy;
run;

[mdoddala]

Thank you so much @novinosrin for enlightening me:)

[Andygray]

Hello @mdoddala 

Acknowledge @novinosrin  's answer by marking the answer as accepted though I don't think somebody who is prolific with super user status cares for credits. But that's ethic. That was a sharp catch.

[mdoddala]

I just did that:)

[mdoddala]

Also @novinosrin, what books do you suggest for beginners like me to become an expert in SAS programming and how long will it take to become an expert?