timestamp conversion from character to numeric

[gnrslasher37]

Hi,

i have the timestamp data in character and need to convert it into numeric format so that i can create the intervals of 5 minutes for the data. If there are some fantastic ideas where timestamp does not have to convert into numeric first inorder to create interval would be highly appreciated. Data are imported from csv file.

Thanks for the help in advance.

[RW9 · Accepted solution]

Well, my first bit of advice would be to fix the CSV import so that the data comes in using the correct format.  This will save you further work down the line and would be the best method.

To convert any text to a numeric you use the input function:

new_variable = input(<text string>,<informat>);

<text string> can be any valid text string or a character variable.

<informat> can be any valid SAS provided or user defined informat.

These links will help.

http://support.sas.com/publishing/pubcat/chaps/59498.pdf

http://support.sas.com/documentation/cdl/en/lrdict/64316/HTML/default/viewer.htm#a001263753.htm

And yes, to do any form of numeric function, then the item in question should be numeric.