Reading Unaligned Data

Understanding List Input

The simplest form of the INPUT statement uses list input. List input is used to read data values that are separated by a delimiter character (by default, a blank space). With list input, SAS reads a data value until it encounters a blank space. SAS assumes that the value has ended and assigns the data to the appropriate variable in the program data vector. SAS continues to scan the record until it reaches a non-blank character again. SAS reads a data value until it encounters a blank space or the end of the input record.

Program: Basic List Input

This program uses the health and fitness club data from Introduction to DATA Step Processing to illustrate a DATA step that uses list input in an INPUT ...

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