Date:         Thu, 25 Mar 1999 01:08:47 GMT
Reply-To:     LPogoda <lpogoda@AOL.COM>
Sender:       "SAS(r) Discussion" <SAS-L@UGA.CC.UGA.EDU>
From:         LPogoda <lpogoda@AOL.COM>
Organization: AOL http://www.aol.com
Subject:      Re: How can SAS read character variables containing many blanks?

I think we need to see some code.  You **should** be able to do something along
the lines of:
 
DATA FEE;
   INFILE 'FOO';
   INPUT @1 FIE $CHAR20.;
RUN;
 
The $charX formats preserve leading spaces - if your data have none, you can
use $20. instead.
 
You don't say what platform you're on.  The above will work on a mainframe
against a fixed format file, or on a PC or UNIX box where ALL records in the
file are at **least** 20 bytes long.
 
If that's not the case, you'll need to modify the INFILE statement to read
INFILE 'FOO' LRECL = 20 PAD; or use the MISSOVER or STOPOVER options - see your
manual.
 
If none of the above quite fits your situation, we need to see some code.
 
 
 
 
In article <36F96659.E9E6EE2F@merck.com>, Kevin Maro
<Research_Labnospam@merck.com> writes:
 
>I have a simple question on read char variables:
>
>How can I read character variables containing 2 or more consecutive
>blanks?
>
>For example, I have a flat file of one character variable and 4 records
>like this:
>
>ABC       DE
>ABC          DE
>ABC                DE      FG
>ABC      DE         FG
>
>If I use $20. or $char20. or & $20, I either get all blanks, or ABC for
>all records.  Could anyone give me some advice?