best and best12. formats

[Ronein]

Hello

I would like to ask why for 18888.88  I get 1888.88 with best. and best12. formats?

data _null_;
   num = 18888.88;
   int = 123456789012;
   dat ='28aug17'd;
   put num best12.;  /*      1888.88 */
   put num best.  ;  /*      1888.88 */
   put int best.  ;  /* 123456789012 */
   put dat best.  ;  /*        21059 */ 
run;

[Quentin]

Do you really?  I get 18888.88:

1    data _null_;
2       num = 18888.88;
3       int = 123456789012;
4       dat ='28aug17'd;
5       put num best12.;  /*      1888.88 */
6       put num best.  ;  /*      1888.88 */
7       put int best.  ;  /* 123456789012 */
8       put dat best.  ;  /*        21059 */
9    run;

    18888.88
    18888.88
123456789012
       21059

[SASJedi]

The BEST. format default width is 12, so these two PUT statements:

data _null_;
   num = 18888.88;
   put num best.;
   put num best12.;
run;

will produce the same output:

    18888.88
    18888.88

Note that the entire value is expressed as a total of 12 characters (4 leading spaces, a 1, four 8s, a ., and two more 8s. for a total of 12 characters). If you specified a width other than the default (12): 

data _null_;
   num = 18888.88;
   put num best.; 
   put num best16.;
run;

the output would be different:

    18888.88
        18888.88

See how that second line now has 4 more leading spaces?

I hope this helps.

Mark