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clqa
Calcite | Level 5

why is the input(source, INFORMAT) while put(source, FORMAT)?

2 REPLIES 2
ballardw
Super User

It is simple to check the two functions in the online help under functions.

 

INPUT reads (converts text to another value using the rules in the informat)

PUT writes (displays text based on the rules in the format)

 

Input may create either numeric  or text values from text or text stored in a variable.

Put always generates text output.

mkeintz
PROC Star

I think it a bit more accurate to say PUT writes sas values to non-sas representations.  And input does the opposite.  It's not always true that INPUT reads "text" and PUT writes "text".  For example:

 

input x ib4.;

put x rb8. ;

 

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The hash OUTPUT method will overwrite a SAS data set, but not append. That can be costly. Consider voting for Add a HASH object method which would append a hash object to an existing SAS data set

Would enabling PROC SORT to simultaneously output multiple datasets be useful? Then vote for
Allow PROC SORT to output multiple datasets

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