Chapter 2 Getting Data into SAS

1
Chapter 2 Getting Data into SAS

• Directly enter data into SAS data sets
• use the ViewTable window. You can define columns
  (variables) with the Column Attributes window
  (see p.32)
• or use SAS/FSP (Full Screen Product) ... maybe
  later
• Enter data into text files and then read it into
  SAS data sets text file ASCII raw data.
• Convert other softwares datasets into SAS
  datasets - use DDE (Dynamic Data Exchange),
  especially for Excel. Import wizard can also
  work hereespecially on .csv files - maybe the
  best way?
• Read other softwares datasets directly into SAS
  - one example is a transport file - can also use
  Import Wizard here

2
Raw data

• Data directly in the stream of the SAS program is
  called raw. Use the datalines or cards
  statements. First line of data must immediately
  follow the datalines statement. See our first
  SAS program
• Data in an external raw data file. Use the
  infile statement to point SAS to the location of
  the file containing the data (i.e., give the
  path)
• Do the example program in section 2.4. Look at
  the Example Code file on the website

3

• Look at Dr. Padgetts dataset
• Use column and/or list input as needed
• (see section 2.5) to read in the data... print
  it out and get a plot of total mass against plant
  height ...
• But first... lets look at these two types of
  input in some detail...

4
READING RAW DATA

• Use INPUT statement - very flexible...
• gives variable name, type and position
• can read data with different types of separators
• LIST INPUT - different variables values are
  separated by at least one space - see section 2.5
• must read all data values in the record
• no embedded spaces in data values
• character data values at most 8 characters
• all missing data values indicated by a . (period)
• no special formatting of data values

5

• Use the example code from the textbook on my
  website .. use it to save time and to give you
  examples to work with...
• e.g., Ill copy the example program in section
  2.5 below
• Create a SAS data set named toads
• Read the data file ToadJump.dat using list
  input
• DF Modified the program with DATALINES instead
  of INFILE...
• DATA toads
• INFILE 'c\MyRawData\ToadJump.dat'
• INPUT ToadName Weight Jump1 Jump2 Jump3
• DATALINES
• Lucky 2.3 1.9 . 3.0
• Spot 4.6 2.5 3.1 .5
• Tubs 7.1 . . 3.8
• Hop 4.5 3.2 1.9 2.6
• Noisy 3.8 1.3 1.8
• 1.5
• Winner 5.7 . . .
• Print the data to make sure the file was read
  correctly
• PROC PRINT DATA toads

6

• Column Input - requires that the data values for
  different variables be lined up in columns
• spaces not required between variable values
• missing values can be left blank
• character data can have embedded blanks
• specific variables can be read and others can be
  skipped
• change the INPUT statement to include the column
  numbers where the named variables can be found -
  this requires exact counting of columns in the
  data listing
• INPUT VisitingTeam 1-20 ConcessionSales 21-24
  BleacherSales 25-28
• OurHits 29-31 TheirHits 32-34 OurRuns
  35-37 TheirRuns 38-40
• SEE EXAMPLE CODE ON PAGE 41...USE A COUNTER IN
  THE DATA, AND THEN IGNORE IT IN THE INPUT
  STATEMENT

7
PROC CONTENTS

• proc contents data your dataset name
• gives lots of information about the SAS
  datasets you have created (either temporary or
  permanent ones more later about these). Try it
  on the example datasets weve been working on ...

8
Permanent SAS datasets

• Permanent SAS datasets are formed in your SAS
  programs by so naming them in the DATA name_here
  statement... They are saved permanently with
  all the variable names and formats, etc. that you
  created when you ran the DATA step... We will
  show more about these later...

9

• Some paths of interest are
• C\Windows\Desktop\filename (Older Windows)
• C\Documents and Settings\username\Desktop\filena
  me (XP)
• A\filename (floppy disk)
• E\filename (flashdrive)

10
Homework

• Read sections 2.1-2.6. Use both list and column
  inputs on the example datasets ... Try to save
  your data as permanent SAS datasets - go back and
  review section 1.11