is it possible to grab an observation and its upper row?

[harrylui]

hi all,

encounter a problem. is it possible to grab an observation and its upper row together? 

for example, if i want to draw out harry and peter. 

Name     Good student

Ben        

Peter

Harry      Y

Alice

is it always one way to do it like following code?

data want;

set have;

if name in ("peter" , "harry");

run;

can i write a program with designed pattern like

Extract data which name is harry and N-2 observation

and the output should like this:

Name     Good student

Ben        

Harry      Y

thanks in advance

Harry

[Satish_Parida]

There is a function called LAG can be used in your situation. Can you please give a better example and also explain if the GOOD STUDENT flag affecting your selection. This example is not clear enough.

[PeterClemmensen]

Do you want to look for Harry or any good student? He may not be the only one 🙂

[yabwon · Accepted solution]

Hi,

for your setup I would consider something like that:

data have;
infile cards missover;
input Name $ Good_student $ 1.;
cards;
Ben
Peter
Harry Y
Alice
;
run;

data want;
  set have curobs=curobs;
  if Good_student = "Y" then
    do point = max(curobs-1,1) to curobs;
      set have point=point;
      output;
    end;
run;
proc print;
run;

but it doesn't cover situations when you have for example two consecutive "good students", i.e. "Y" in row N and N+1. 

All the best

Bart

[harrylui]

THANKS this is what i need