separate value between special characters under a single variable

[chinna0369]

Hello, 

I have variable values like below:

RIGHT LYMPH NODE; RIGHT EXTERNAL LYMPH; LEFT LYMPH NODE

RIGHT HAND; LEFT LEG

HEART

I would like to create a new variable like below:

HEART

LEFT LEG

LEFT LYMPH NODE

RIGHT EXTERNAL LYMPH

RIGHT HAND

RIGHT LYMPH NODE

Which means:

1. separate values between special characters

2. Create a new variable in alphabetical order with those separated values.

Can you please help me.

Thanks,

Nyalamadugu

[Tom · Accepted solution]

Use the SCAN() function to parse the strings at the semi-colons.  Output each value as a separate observation.  Then sort.

data have;
  row+1;
  input string $80.;
cards4;
RIGHT LYMPH NODE; RIGHT EXTERNAL LYMPH; LEFT LYMPH NODE
RIGHT HAND; LEFT LEG
HEART
;;;;

data want;
  set have;
  do index=1 to countw(string,';');
     word=strip(scan(string,index,';'));
     output;
  end;
run;

proc sort;
  by word;
run;

Results

Obs   row   string                                                    index   word

 1     3    HEART                                                       1     HEART
 2     2    RIGHT HAND; LEFT LEG                                        2     LEFT LEG
 3     1    RIGHT LYMPH NODE; RIGHT EXTERNAL LYMPH; LEFT LYMPH NODE     3     LEFT LYMPH NODE
 4     1    RIGHT LYMPH NODE; RIGHT EXTERNAL LYMPH; LEFT LYMPH NODE     2     RIGHT EXTERNAL LYMPH
 5     2    RIGHT HAND; LEFT LEG                                        1     RIGHT HAND
 6     1    RIGHT LYMPH NODE; RIGHT EXTERNAL LYMPH; LEFT LYMPH NODE     1     RIGHT LYMPH NODE

[chinna0369]

Thank you so much!

[Peter_C]

Missed a feature of INFILE which would simplify the task.
INFILE statement option DLM=';' ensures the input statement parses to semi colons or end-of-line.
Trailing @@ on INPUT statement preserves the buffer until exhausted.
Data ;
Infile cards dlm= ';' truncover ;
Input objectname :$50. @@ ;
Cards4;
Those data lines
;;;;
Proc sort out= wanted ;
By objectname ;
Run;