coalesce in datastep

[csetzkorn]

This is some simplified code I am using:

DATA WORK.Temp;
INPUT A B;
   DATALINES;
1 .
. 1
. .
1 2
;

Data WORK.TempOut;
	Set WORK.Temp;
	Test = coalescec(B, A);
run;

WORK.TempOut looks as follows:

A	B	Test
1	.	           .
.	1	           1
.	.	           .
1	2	           2

I would expect Test in row 1 to contain 1 but it does not. Why is this? Why is the null entry in column B of row 1 not replaced by 1?

[Cynthia_sas · Accepted solution]

Hi: It looks like A and B are numeric variables. You are NOT using COALESCE you are using the form of the function for Character variables: COALESCEC.

I would expect you to be getting a note in the log, something like this:
NOTE: Numeric values have been converted to character values at the places given by: (Line):(Column).

Have you tried the COALESCE function for numeric variables instead of COALESCEC?

cynthia

[csetzkorn]

That makes sense. Thanks it works!