Converting string to num (keeping decimal)

[iren]

Hello everybody,

I have a problem with converting a string to num.

myVAR contains values 5.2 8.7 9.4 and etc.

all of them are strings.

I need to convert them to numeric so that they keep their decimal digits (if any)

How can I do it?

Thank you in advance,

Iren

 

[klaz2002]

Irene,
You can use the input function:

ex.
x="2.9";
y=input(x,8.2);

Remember that you need to anticipate the decimal places in advance. If you think that your data will have 10 places use the 8.10 in the format section of the input function.

Klaz

 

[ChrisW75]

Klaz - Deliberate error there? In a format, the first number is the total number of characters to be output (including decimal point, dollar signs etc) and the second number is the number of decimal places. Therefore in a format w.d, w must be bigger than d.

You made me doubt myself for a moment there and I had to go test it.

3      format var1 8.10;
                   ----
                   156
ERROR 156-185: The decimal specification of 10 must be less than the width specification of 8.

 

[klaz2002]

Chris,
I was discussing the informat feature. This will run correct.
data _null_;
x='2.9';
y=input(x,8.12);
run;
the informat is what you expect not the actual length.
Hope that this helps.
Klaz

 

[ChrisW75]

Really? I'll have to try that one out.
Cheers.