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How to do variable modifications in a SAS dataset?

Hello, I am trying to perform variable modifications.

I am trying to recreate SAS work dataset Data1 by performing the following:
1. Use SAS work dataset Data1 as input.
2. Drop the following variables, if they exist: Var1 Var2 Var3
3. Rename Var5 to Var15.
4. Create the Var5 variable as NUM (type) and 8 (length)
5. Convert Var15 to its numeric equivalent and store in Var5.
6. Maintain SAS binary compression.

So, I am not sure on step #4 & #5. Please see my code in progress:

data Data1 (compress=binary);
  drop Var1 Var2 Var3;
 set dir.Data1;

Var5=Var15;
.....

run;

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Any help will be greatly appreciated!

Aloysius Low

data Data1 (
drop = Var1 Var2 Var3 /*#2*/
rename = (Var5 = Var15) /*#3*/
compress=binary /*#6*/);
set Data1; /*#1*/
length Var5 8.; /*#4*/

Var5=input(Var15, best.); /*#5*/
run;

labradorchik

ASKER

Thank you very much, lowaloysius!
Quick question: do I need to check in the code if Var1, Var2, and Var3 are actually there in the dataset or I will not get any error messages if I just have those variables dropped as you written above?

Peter Chan

Here are some example

data gems;
   input Name $ Color $ Carats Owner $;
   datalines;
emerald green 1 smith
sapphire blue 2 johnson
ruby red 1 clark
;

data lollipops;
   Flavor="Cherry";
   attrib Flavor format=$10.;
run;

data lollipops;
   Flavor="Cherry";
   attrib Flavor format=$10.;
run;

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Aloysius Low

if the variable *may* not exist and you want to avoid an error message then use the drop statement instead in the code:

data Data1 (
    rename = (Var5 = Var15) /*#3*/
    compress=binary /*#6*/);
  set Data1; /*#1*/
  length Var5 8.; /*#4*/

  Var5=input(Var15, best.); /*#5*/
  drop Var1 Var2 Var3; /*#2*/ 
run;

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SOLUTION

Ian

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ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Aloysius Low

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labradorchik

ASKER

Lowaloysius and ShannonEE,
Thank you very much for your suggestions and explanations!

I was totally confused where to place that drop statement.
Thank you again!!