What does * in front of a variable name do? such as : COUNT=events;*numerator; Total=denominatoryr1;

[Jpham]

please help me understand the meaning of * in front of a variable name such as:
COUNT=events;*numerator;
Total=denominatoryr1;*denominator;

Thank you

[shahparth260]

If you have seen this in Code it should be comment. Can you provide where you have exactly seen ?

[Jpham]

There was no comment

[Jpham]

here is more code before and after:

data rateyr1;
length range $25;
merge startyr1 finishyr1 numyr1 ;
by year;
range=startyr1||"-"||finishyr1;
events=numyr1;
if events=. then events=0;
pts_at_risk=denominatoryr1;
rate=put((events/denominatoryr1)*100,6.1);

COUNT=events;*numerator;
Total=denominatoryr1;*denominator;
SD=1.96; *1.96 for 95% CI, 1.65 for 90% CI, 0.68 for 50% CI;
obs_agreement=round(Count/Total*100,0.1);

[shahparth260]

Are you able to send snippets wherever you have seen ??

[Jpham]

I inherit this code and I am trying to understand it.  I do not have any snippets.  

[shahparth260 · Accepted solution]

I have imported this code in to SAS. I surely can say this is a comment/ explanation / annotation whoever write this program. 

Please have a look once in to attachment that I am sending with this. I hope it helpful. 

It gives you extra information that which variable you use as Denominator and Nominator for calculation. 

[Jpham]

Thank you

[shahparth260]

You're welcome and thanks for accepting as a solution.