| Jason L. Ford |
This paper will give an introduction to using character strings. The intended audience is primarily beginning programmers, although advanced programmers may find some helpful tips and reminders as well. The paper will cover the following topics:
1. Using the length function and how SAS defaults to certain lengths for character variables.
2. Using the SUBSTR function.
3. Using the SCAN function.
4. Using the FIND function, including looking for one variable inside another.
5. Using the TRANSLATE and TRANWRD functions.
6. Using the COMPRESS function, including use of the third argument to find types of variables.
7. Using the various concatenation functions such as CAT, CATS, and CATX.
8. Using The TRIM, LEFT, and STRIP functions.
9. The various ANY and NOT functions, such as ANYALPHA and NOTALPHA. |