I saw a vendor's decoding programs once. Since it contains all makers and all model years, the program is very long. The approach used is to dump all mapping values into if/then statements or/ select when statements. This approach has higher maintenance cost in my view. I don't know how JDpower or Palk does it. I know their data have more gabages than the vendor's does.

But if I would do it, I would set up all mapped values into tables(database), with proc format tables can port it into formats and with nest formats it may very easy to do vin decoding with a simpler sas pgm. The only thing needed is to updated tables NOT the pgm --which would be easier and lower cost. Just MO.

In article <FIZH5.31241$P82.3753536@news1.rdc1.ct.home.com>, "John Lucker" <JohnLucker@home.com> wrote: > I am looking to use SAS to decode VINs (Vehicle Identification Numbers)? > Has anyone out there done this before and if so could you offer some advice > and guidance? I suppose I need to develop not only SAS code to perform the > decoding but also a SAS database of code values and parameters for each > make/model of car. > > Any help anyone could offer would be greatly appreciated. > > Thanks! > >

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