formats

[shivamarrora0]

Add leading zero to numeric variable WithOUT using ZW.D format

[Kurt_Bremser]

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@shivamarrora0 wrote:

Add leading zero to numeric variable WithOUT using ZW.D format

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Why would somebody want to do such a stupid thing? Use the right tool (Maxim 14).

[shivamarrora0]

This was the question asked by me in an interview

[Kurt_Bremser]

My answer would be

"You want me to do meaningful work for you, not waste my (and your) time, don't you?"

Look for an employer with brains.

[ballardw]

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@shivamarrora0 wrote:
This was the question asked by me in an interview

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Generally when given an abitrary restriction in a question like that I would ask questions about any cause for the restriction. Such restrictions might arise based on something else in the data/procedures/environment limits and a suggestion should tailor to the causes.

Other wise this is like asking someone to add without using + button on a calculator.

[Ranjeeta]

data NACRS.NACRS1617;
704 set NACRS.NACRS1617(rename=(RESPONSIBILITY_FOR_PAYMENT=temp));
705 RESPONSIBILITY_FOR_PAYMENT = put(temp,Z2.);
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48
ERROR 48-59: The format $Z was not found or could not be loaded.

706 run;

Am I writing this correctly?

[Kurt_Bremser]

RESPONSIBILITY_FOR_PAYMENT is already character.

Maxim 3: Know Your Data

[RW9]

Whilst I completely agree with @Kurt_Bremser that this is typical daft interview question, it is designed to see how you think on your feet (i.e. you wouldn't know this was a question coming up).  It would also demonstrate if you know multiple ways of doing things.  Couple of options:

1) Create your own picture format and apply

2) Create a text version of the number and use string functions to add the required number of zeroes

Obviously the ideal scenario is to keep as a number and format using the provided Z format, however knowing the other options can be useful in other scenarios, such as if the format doesn't show exactly the way you want it to.

[Ksharp]

proc format;
picture fmt
 other='999999';
run;
data a;
 set sashelp.class;
 keep age;
 format age fmt6.;
run;

[Tom]

I do not understand that question.

You cannot add a lead zero to a number.  Or put another way no matter how many leading zeros you add to a number it won't change the value of the number.