FORMAT

FORMAT

Assigns a SAS format to a SYSTEM 2000 data item

Optional statement

Applies to: access descriptor and view descriptor

Syntax
Details

Syntax

FORMAT variable-identifier <=> SAS-format-name
<...variable-identifier-n<=>SAS-format-name-n>;

Details

The FORMAT statement changes a SAS variable format from its default format; the default format is based on the database item's data type. You can enter formats for as many items as necessary using one FORMAT statement.

You cannot specify the FORMAT statement for a record.

The variable-identifier argument can be one of the following:

current SAS variable name for the item
Note: Any name on the lefthand side of the equal sign must be a SAS name, not a SYSTEM 2000 name. In an access descriptor, if the ASSIGN statement is omitted, you must use the item number or component number (C-number) on the lefthand side of the equal sign.
positional equivalent, which is the number that represents the item, as given by the LIST statement
SYSTEM 2000 C-number of the database item.

For example, if you want to associate the DATE9. format with the fifth item in the access descriptor, issue the following statement:

format 5 date9.;

You can only use the FORMAT statement with a view descriptor if the ASSIGN statement used when creating the access descriptor was specified with the NO value. When used in a view descriptor, the FORMAT statement automatically selects the reformatted item. That is, if you change the format associated with an item, you do not have to issue a SELECT statement for that item.

FMT is an alias for the FORMAT statement.

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Optional statement
Applies to:	access descriptor and view descriptor