Date:         Mon, 18 Feb 2008 15:09:39 -0500
Reply-To:     Jerry <greenmt@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       "SAS(r) Discussion" <SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From:         Jerry <greenmt@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      a better alternative to collapse data?

Hi,

I have a data set "dsin" look like below,

/**********/
data dsin;
  length idindex 3 code $3;
  input idindex code $;
  datalines;
1 256
1 287
1 985
2 660
2 966
3 811
3 809
3 178
3 271
4 352
4 210
;
run;

To collapse the data above by "idindex" to the desired layout below:

idindex cd_1  cd_2   cd_3   cd_4
  1         256    287     985
  2         660    966
  3         811    809     178    271
  4         352    210


I have the code below to do so

/****/
proc sort data=dsin;
by idindex;
run;


data dsout (drop=cdcnt code);

/*because for each distinctive value of variable "idindex", there are at
most four codes.*/
       array cd {*} $3 cd1-cd4;

       do until(last.idindex);
           set dsin; by idindex;
           if first.idindex then cdcnt=0;
           cdcnt+1;
           cd{cdcnt}=code;
       end;
run;
/****/

I wonder if anyone can help me find a better alternative to my approach in
terms of efficacy (i.e. minimizing running time).

Any input is greatly appreciated.

Jerry