input function: convert character to numeric

[ifendo]

hi all,

i got a silly question. 

when converting a character to numeric, and the decimal informat is used, we will get a float, not a integer the same as the original character. what is going on behind the sence? 

for example below: 

data test;
ch="15";  * we do not have decimal here;
n=input(ch,8.2); * why we get n=0.15 not n=15 ? anyone can help to explain? ;
run;
proc print width=min;
run;

why we get n=0.15 not n=15 ? anyone can help to explain? ;

Many thanks in advance.

[Astounding · Accepted solution]

Technically, the meaning of the 8.2 informat is this.

From the incoming character string, read 8 characters.  See if they contain a decimal point.  If they do, then respect the decimal point.  If they don't contain a decimal point, assume that the last two digits belong after the decimal point.

If you just want to read the characters as is and convert to numeric, use the 8. informat instead.

[ifendo]

thank you very much.