Recoding multiple variables at the same time

[KarD]

Hi,

I would like to recode a bunch of variables at the same time. For e.g. I have the following variables:

1) A

2) B

3) C

4) D

They all take values from 1 through 9. I want to recode the values for all these variables in the same manner.

E.g. if A = 1 then A = 10. The same rule applies to all the variables (A-D). Is there a way to do this using a macro or a loop? I don't want to give if-then commands individually for each of the 4 variables and am looking for a more efficient way to do this. 

Thanks for your help!

[Astounding · Accepted solution]

SAS contains a standard tool for processing a group of variables in the same way.  Arrays do that:

data want;

set have;

array vars {4} a b c d;

do _n_=1 to 4;

   if vars{_n_}=1 then vars{_n_}=10;

end;

run;

You'll need to type all your IF/THEN statements once.  Then the DO loop changes one variable at a time, applying all the logic between DO and END.