find max date out of 100+ date variables with no standard name convention

[jenim514]

Hi All!

I have a dataset with 100+ date vairables and each observation may have 1 to 5 or so of those dates populated (all numeric date formats).  I need a way to select the max date from each observation...where the dates have no standard naming convention (all random names).  Can I do this with an array- or any other suggestion?  THis was my attempt...but clearly not working 🙂

data all1;
set all;
array dt (*) _numeric_;
do i= 1 to dim(dt);
date1 =max(dt(i));
end;
run;

Here is a snapshot of the data...by keep in mind there are 100+ off these dates with all different names

Thak you!

[Reeza · Accepted solution]

Are all the date variables side by side in the table?
If so you can reference them all at once by listing the first and last variable only:

max (of firstVar--lastVar);

If not, are they all SAS dates or do they all have the "DT" in the variable name? You can use a SQL step to query the SASHELP.VCOLUMNS table to create the list dynamically.

[jenim514]

@Reeza yes they were side by side! Thank for the simple solution!!