Reading raw data set (The length of numeric variables is 3-8. )

[tesu]

I've got an error message: The length of numeric variables is 3-8. I attached the raw data file (mydata). How can I load this data in SAS? Thanks.

The following is my data's layout information.

name type start width decimals

v1 C 1 1 0

v2 C 2 3 0

v3 C 5 3 0

v4 C 8 3 0

v5 C 11 3 0

v6 C 14 4 0

v7 C 18 4 0

v8 C 22 4 0

v9 C 26 4 0

v10 C 30 2 0

v11 C 32 2 0

v12 C 34 6 0

v13 C 40 1 0

U01 I 41 9 0

U02 I 50 9 0

U03 F 59 9 1

U04 I 68 9 0

[FriedEgg · Accepted solution]

I would read this paper to better understand how SAS stores numeric data:

http://www.nesug.org/proceedings/nesug02/at/at002.pdf

data foo;

length _numeric_ 3; * I choose 3 instead of default of 8 because all my data is <= 8192 and I want to save space;

input (name type) ($) start width decimals;

cards;

v1 C 1 1 0

v2 C 2 3 0

v3 C 5 3 0

v4 C 8 3 0

v5 C 11 3 0

v6 C 14 4 0

v7 C 18 4 0

v8 C 22 4 0

v9 C 26 4 0

v10 C 30 2 0

v11 C 32 2 0

v12 C 34 6 0

v13 C 40 1 0

U01 I 41 9 0

U02 I 50 9 0

U03 F 59 9 1

U04 I 68 9 0

;

run;

[Astounding]

To continue the learning experience, try running FriedEgg's program and then run a PROC CONTENTS on the results.

Then swap the order of the LENGTH and INPUT statements, and repeat the process.  Notice how the length of  your numeric variables changes.

Good luck.

[tesu]

Thanks all. The attached "mydata" is the actual data file. Sorry for the confusion. Anyway, by taking Astounding's advice of INPUT statements, I could first read the U1-U4 variables as character, and then convert them into numeric using the INPUT statements: U1new = input(U1, 9.).