Return first two words in a string and include special characters

[PhatRam33]

HI everyone! I've been able to return the first two words of a string and create a third variable with both concatenated.  However, I also want to include special characters that could be included in the words within the string.

Here is the code I have so far.  If you notice, the last two lines do not return the special characters within the word and need to do so as such:

Appreciate any help on this 😃

data input;

input str $60.;

datalines;

BLUE

BLUE BLACK

BLUE GREY BROWN

BLUE GREEN RED

BLUE RED YELLOW ORANGE

BLUE$ YELLOW

BLUE/ ORANGE GRAY

;

run;

data test;

set input;

w1 = scan(str, 1);

w2 = scan(str, 2);

length w3 $ 30;

SubStrLength=findc(str, ' ',-length(str));

if SubStrLength=0 then w3=w1;

else w3=trim(catx(' ', w1, w2));

drop SubStrLength;

run;

[novinosrin · Accepted solution]

The below will give you the right split with the spl char. I am sure you can do the concat work yourself as you seem smart.

data input;

input str $60.;

datalines;
BLUE
BLUE BLACK
BLUE GREY BROWN
BLUE GREEN RED
BLUE RED YELLOW ORANGE
BLUE$ YELLOW
BLUE/ ORANGE GRAY
;


run;

data test;

set input;

w1 = scan(str, 1,' ','m');

w2 = scan(str, 2,' ','m');run;

[PhatRam33]

Ahh so close! Many thanks! The 'm', is this what includes the special characters? I read somewhere about an M modifier and not sure if this is what this is.