input - SAS date formatting -

i have dataset variable, start date, takes lot of different values using character format.

i have split dataset using values in start date column, because want transform date variable 2 new columns 2 different date values:

if length(startvalue) = 6 output  a6; else if length(startvalue) = 8 output a8 ; else if length(startvalue) = 1 output a1; else output a_other; 

one value written this: 090209 (ddmmyy)

i want format variable both date9. format , ddmmyyd10. format this:

format  startvalue2 date9.; format startvalue3 ddmmyyd10.; 

i got work approach in data step:

format  startdato2 date9.; format startdato3 ddmmyyd10.; startdato2 = input(put(startdato,6.),ddmmyy6.); startdato3 = input(put(startdato,6.),ddmmyy6.); 

another value written this: 15-08-17 (dd-mm-yy) want 2 formats on value, this:

format  startvalue2 date9.; format startvalue3 ddmmyyd10.; 

but here cannot use copy of expression above:

format  startvalue2 date9.; format startvalue3 ddmmyyd10.; startvalue2 = input(put(startvalue,8.),ddmmyydw.); startvalue3= input(put(startvalue,8.),ddmmyydw.); 

do know why? , how can value transformed date9. format , ddmmyyd10 format?

kind regards

maria

you not need convert values numeric put statement when using input. input's goal take character input , turn numeric value sas math with. how remember it:

• input: convert input value into numeric value
• put: output numeric value character value

a simpler solution can try using anydtdte. informat. capable of reading following informats:

• date
• datetime
• ddmmyy
• julian
• mdyampm
• mmddyy
• mmxyy
• monyy
• time
• ymddttm
• yymmdd
• yyq
• yyxmm
• month, day, year

for example:

%let default_datestyle = %sysfunc(getoption(datestyle));  options datestyle=dmy;  data want;     set have;      startdato2  = input(startdato, anydtdte.);     startvalue2 = input(startvalue, anydtdte.);      startdato3  = startdato2;     startvalue3 = startvalue2;      <rest of code>;      format startvalue2 date9.            startvalue3 ddmmyyd10.            startdato2  date9.            startdato3  ddmmyyd10.     ; run;  options datestyle = &default_datestyle; 

give informat try , see if able everything. if not, can account special cases conditional logic.