Vivian

I have not had to read packed data in quite a while but since I have not seen any replies to your question, I will say a little.

First, are you trying to read a field with only numbers in it? If so, I would try to read it as a number with formats such as PD2. or PK2. There is a section in the base sas dictionary of language elements on working with such data.

Next, based on what I see of your code, there is no reason to write

IF LAYOUT='05' THEN LINK SF05;

SF05:

The line If Layout = '05' then do is sufficient. Links are seldom used these days and I see no need for one here.

If you are reading numeric values only, I would use a numeric format and change the statement to

If layout = 5 then input...

Also, the line

IF VAR NE 'ABC' THEN OUTPUT SF05;

Will never create output since you are not reading a variable called "VAR".

Nat Wooding

-----Original Message----- From: SAS(r) Discussion [mailto:SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU] On Behalf Of V V B Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 2010 8:45 PM To: SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU Subject: SAS on mainframe

Hi,

I need help reading the following field. I'm using mainframe SAS 8.2. I've tried pd2. pk2. 2. $2. and many other various informats without success. The pk2. with display single digits, however, the value in the field can be 1 to 99.

Your help most appreciated! Vivian

-- FIELD LEVEL/NAME ----- --- --PICTURE-- FLD START END LENGTH

15 FM1E1-SEQ-NUM 99 15 24 25 2 DATA SF05(KEEP=VAR1 VAR2 VAR3 VAR4);

INPUT @022 LAYOUT $2. @; IF LAYOUT='05' THEN LINK SF05;

SF05: IF LAYOUT='05' THEN DO;

INPUT @001 VAR1 $CHAR17. @001 VAR2 $CHAR03. @024 VAR3 ? @026 VAR4 $CHAR02. @; IF VAR NE 'ABC' THEN OUTPUT SF05; End; Run;