SAS Tip: ABS and SUMABS Functions

[SAS_Tipster]

The ABS function can be used to return a positive value...

DATA POSITIVE_INTEGER;
  VALUE = abs(-789);
RUN;

PROC PRINT;RUN;

The SUMABS function is also available, and computes the sum of the absolute value of the non-missing arguments.  This example returns a value of 14.

DATA POSITIVE_INTEGER;
 VALUE = sumabs(-1, 3, 0, ., -10);
RUN;

PROC PRINT;RUN;

You can also use the OF variable range syntax to include all variables that match a pattern.

data _null_;
   x1=1;
   x2=3;
   x3=4;
   x4=3;
   x5=1;
   x=sumabs(of x1-x5);
   put x=;
run;

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Thanks to Ayetullah for sharing this tip on sasCommunity.org.