In general variables in SAS represent the column names of the data tables it is analyzing. But it can also be used for other purpose like using it as a counter in a programming loop. In the current chapter we will see the use of SAS variables as column names of SAS Data Set.

SAS Variable Types

SAS has three types of variables as below −

Numeric Variables

This is the default variable type. These variables are used in mathematical expressions.

Syntax

INPUT VAR1 VAR2 VAR3;                     #Define numeric variables in the data set.

In the above syntax, the INPUT statement shows the declaration of numeric variables.

Example

INPUT ID SALARY COMM_PERCENT;

Character Variables

Character variables are used for values that are not used in Mathematical expressions. They are treated as text or strings. A variable becomes a character variable by adding a $ sing with a space at the end of the variable name.

Syntax

INPUT VAR1 $ VAR2 $ VAR3 $;            #Define character variables in the data set.

In the above syntax, the INPUT statement shows the declaration of character variables.

Example

INPUT FNAME $ LNAME $ ADDRESS $;

Date Variables

These variables are treated only as dates and they need to be in valid date formats. A variable becomes a date variable by adding a date format with a space at the end of the variable name.

Syntax

INPUT VAR1 DATE11. VAR2 MMDDYY10. ; #Define date variables in the data set.

In the above syntax, the INPUT statement shows the declaration of date variables.

Example

INPUT DOB DATE11. START_DATE MMDDYY10. ;

Use of Variables in SAS Program

The above variables are used in SAS program as shown in below examples.

Example

The below code shows how the three types of variables are declared and used in a SAS Program

DATA TEMP;
INPUT ID NAME $ SALARY DEPT $ DOJ DATE9. ;
FORMAT DOJ DATE9. ;
DATALINES;

1 Rick 623.3 IT 02APR2001

2 Dan 515.2 OPS 11JUL2012

3 Michelle 611 IT 21OCT2000

4 Ryan 729 HR 30JUL2012

5 Gary 843.25 FIN 06AUG2000

6 Tusar 578 IT 01MAR2009

7 Pranab 632.8 OPS 16AUG1998

8 Rasmi 722.5 FIN 13SEP2014

;

PROC PRINT DATA = TEMP;

RUN;

In the above example all the character variables are declared followed by a $ sign and the date variables are declared followed by a date format. The output of the above program is as below.

Using the Variables

The variables are very useful in analyzing the data. They are used in expressions in which the statistical analysis is applied. Let’s see an example of analyzing the built-in Data Set named CARS which is present under Libraries → My Libraries → SASHELP. Double click on it to explore the variables and their data types.

Next, we can produce a summary statistics of some of these variables using the Tasks options in SAS studio. Go to Tasks -> Statistics -> Summary Statistics and double click it to open the window as shown below. Choose Data Set SASHELP.CARS and select the three variables – MPG_CITY, MPG_Highway and Weight under the Analysis Variables. Hold the Ctrl key while selecting the variables by clicking. Click run.

Click on the results tab after the above steps. It shows the statistical summary of the three variables chosen. The last column indicates number of observations (records) used in the analysis.

So, this brings us to the end of blog. This Tecklearn ‘Variables in SAS Explained’ blog helps you with commonly asked questions if you are looking out for a job in SAS. If you wish to learn SAS and build a career in Data Analytics domain, then check out our interactive, SAS Training for SAS BASE Certification Training, that comes with 24*7 support to guide you throughout your learning period. Please find the link for course details:

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What you will Learn in this Course?

Introduction to SAS

Introduction to SAS
Installation of SAS
SAS windows
Working with data sets
Walk through of SAS windows like output, search, editor etc

SAS Enterprise Guide

How to read and subset the data sets
SET Statement
Infile and Infile Options
SAS Format -Format Vs Informat

SAS Operators and Functions

Using Variables
Defining and using KEEP and DROP statements
Output Statement
Retain Statement
SUM Statement

Advanced SAS Procedures

PROC Import
PROC Print
Data Step Vs Proc
Deep Dive into Proc

Customizing Datasets

SAS Arrays
Useful SAS Functions
PUT/INPUT Functions
Date/Time Functions
Numeric Functions
Character Functions

SAS Format and SAS Graphs

SAS Format statements
Understanding PROC GCHART, various graphs, bar charts: pie, bar

Sorting Techniques

NODUP
NODUKEY
NODUP Vs NODUKEY

Data Transformation Function

Character functions, numeric functions and converting variable type
Use functions in data transformation

Deep Dive into SAS Procedures, Functions and Statements

Find Function
Scan Function
MERGE Statement
BY Statement
Joins
Procedures Vs Function
Where Vs If
What is Missover
NMISS
CMISS

PROC SQL

SELECT statement
Sorting of Data
CASE expression
Other SELECT statement clauses
JOINS and UNIONS

Using SAS Macros

Benefits of SAS Macros
Macro Variables
Macro Code Constituents and Macro Step
Positional Parameters to Macros

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