The "<>" operator is interpreted as "MAX".

[GenDemo]

Hi All

I am wondering if anyone knows why I sometimes get the following note when using the "<>" ('unequal') operator in a data step procedure:

NOTE: The "<>" operator is interpreted as "MAX".

Sometimes this happens in a proc sql as well...

[PGStats · Accepted solution]

The "<>" operator doesn't have the same meaning everywhere

See

http://support.sas.com/documentation/cdl/en/lrcon/68089/HTML/default/viewer.htm#p00iah2thp63bmn1lt20...

[GenDemo]

Ah Thank you

This basically explains it:   Note: In a WHERE statement or clause, the <> operator is equivalent to NE. 

[Reeza]

In a data step, <> is the max function.

In SQL it is Not Equals.

In most languages <> means not equals, so SAS warns you otherwise. I would use a max function to avoid the message. 

[ballardw]

Things like this are one reason I use the GE LE and NE instead of >= or <= or <>, different possible interprtations and having to remember is it >= or =>.