look up table

[RyanB]

I've been researching and experimenting using a lookup table with variable definitions (e.g. datatype, length, in range values, recodes...) to count out of range and unknown values and to clean some large datasets. I was hoping to be able to reference the look up table via an array using a macro program but I haven't been able to get it to work. One problem is that I can't create and retain multiple variables used to store my counts (e.g. sex_unknown=sex_unknown+1). I've also researched using hashes but I'm not very familiar with them. I'm not necessarily looking for a solution for a specific problem as much as a point in the right direction. What is the best way to use another table to instruct my code to collect the information described and to clean the data?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[CurtisMack]

Are you familier with the RETAIN statement? It would help you keep those counts.

[CurtisMack]

Actualy, if you just did:
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sex_unknown + 1;
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It would automatically be retained.