Mark gave a good explanation on why you shouldn't have used input function for numeric var. But he didn't explain why you get c=missing. Here is why:

c=input(a, 3.1); is equivelent to c=input(put(a,best12.),3.1); which is the same as c=input(' 1',3.1); since it is right justified, 3.1 is not enough to get the correct number what you really need is to left justify first, like c=input('1 ',3.); or c=input(put(a,best12.-l),3.); or c=input(put(a,best.),12.);

On Wed, 13 Feb 2008 14:16:53 -0800, Terjeson, Mark <Mterjeson@RUSSELL.COM> wrote:

>Hi Mindy, > >The INPUT function converts string to numeric. >The PUT function converts numeric to string. > >e.g. > > myString = put(expecting_numeric,format) > myNumeric= input(expecting_string,informat) > > >in your code > c=input(a, 3.1); >if a is already a numeric and you use input(), >it is expecting a string argument so the numeric >'a' variable is converted to string first before >performing the INPUT() function. > >It looks like you already know that 'a' is numeric >and if you are wanting to convert it to string 'c' >then use the PUT() function instead. > > > > >Hope this is helpful. > > >Mark Terjeson >Senior Programmer Analyst, IM&R >Russell Investments > > >Russell Investments >Global Leaders in Multi-Manager Investing > > > > > > >-----Original Message----- >From: SAS(r) Discussion [mailto:SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU] On Behalf Of Mindy >Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 2:07 PM >To: SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU >Subject: question about input() > >Hey guys, > >I have a question about input() ___ maybe related with format/ >informat. > >Below is sample code: > > data try; > input a; > cards; > 1 > ; > run; > data try; > set try; > c=input(a, 3.1); > run; > proc contents; run; > proc print; run; > >And I got note as > >20 set try; >21 c=input(a, 3.1); >22 run; > >NOTE: Numeric values have been converted to character values at the >places given by: (Line):(Column). > 21:12 > >Output of proc contents as > >--Alphabetic List of Variables and Attributes----- > > # Variable Type >Len Pos > >??????????????????????????????????? > 1 a Num >8 0 > 2 c Num >8 8 > >Output of proc print as > > Obs a c > > 1 1 . > > >I don't understand why I get the note and missing value of c, which I >thought it should be 1.0 > >Many thanks. > >MIndy