SAS Chapter 17: Formatting Data

1. Given the following PROC FORMAT step, how is the value 6.1 displayed when the SKICOND format is applied?

proc format;
   value skicond
          0-3='Poor'
         3<-6='Fair'
         6<-9='Good'
         9<-high='Excellent';
run;

6.1

Fair

Good

.

The value 6.1 falls in the range 6

Explanation

The value 6.1 falls in the range 6

2. Which SAS system option is used to identify format catalogs to SAS?

FMTERR

FMTLIB

NOFMTERR

FMTSEARCH=

By default, SAS searches for custom formats in the Work and Library libraries. The FMTSEARCH= system option specifies other catalogs to search when a format is referenced.

Explanation

By default, SAS searches for custom formats in the Work and Library libraries. The FMTSEARCH= system option specifies other catalogs to search when a format is referenced.

3. What option is used with PROC FORMAT to document the formats in a particular format catalog?

FMTSEARCH

FMTERR

CATALOG

FMTLIB

The FMTLIB keyword is used to document the formats in a catalog. You can use the SELECT and EXCLUDE statements to process specific formats rather than the entire catalog.

Explanation

The FMTLIB keyword is used to document the formats in a catalog. You can use the SELECT and EXCLUDE statements to process specific formats rather than the entire catalog.

4. Which of the following variables must be in the data set that is specified on the CNTLIN= option?

End

FmtName

Value

Description

A data set that is used to create a format with the CNTLIN= option must have the variables FmtName, Start, and Label. If a range is specified, it must also include the variable End.

Explanation

A data set that is used to create a format with the CNTLIN= option must have the variables FmtName, Start, and Label. If a range is specified, it must also include the variable End.

5. Given the following code, what option is missing?

proc format;
    value times (?) 
         '00:00't-'04:59't = 'Red Eye'
         '05:00't-'11:59't = 'Morning'
         '12:00't-'17:59't = 'Afternoon'
         '18:00't-'23:59't = 'Evening'
         '00:00't-'11:59't = 'AM'
         '12:00't-'23:59't = 'PM';
run;

MULTILABEL

MULTIRANGE

MLF

MULTIFORMAT

The format created by this value statement has overlapping ranges, so the MULTILABEL option must be used. A multilabel format can be used by any procedure that supports the MLF option.

Explanation

The format created by this value statement has overlapping ranges, so the MULTILABEL option must be used. A multilabel format can be used by any procedure that supports the MLF option.

6. Which PROC FORMAT option is used to create a SAS data set from a format?

CNTLIN=

LIB=

CNTLOUT=

FMTLIB

The CNTLOUT= option is used to create a SAS data set from a format.

Explanation

The CNTLOUT= option is used to create a SAS data set from a format.

7. When the NOFMTERR system option is in effect, what happens when SAS encounters a format it cannot locate?

Creates the format in the default Work.Formats directory and continues processing.

Substitutes the $w.or w. format and continues processing.

Stops processing and writes an error message to the log.

Skips processing at that step and continues with the next step and writes a note to the log.

By default, FMTERR is in effect and SAS stops processing if it cannot find a format that is referenced. When NOFMTERR is in effect, SAS substitutes the $w. or w. format and continues processing.

Explanation

By default, FMTERR is in effect and SAS stops processing if it cannot find a format that is referenced. When NOFMTERR is in effect, SAS substitutes the $w. or w. format and continues processing.

8. Given the following OPTIONS statement, in what order will SAS search to find a user-defined format?

options fmtsearch=(work abc.newfmt sasuser);

Work.Formats Abc.Newfmt Sasuser.Formats Library.Formats

Work.Formats Library.Formats Abc.Newfmt Sasuser.Formats

Work.Formats Abc.Newfmt Sasuser.Format

The default search order

SAS will search in the order specified on the FMTSEARCH= option. By default, SAS searches in the Work and Library libraries first unless they are specified on the option. Because Library is not specified here, it is searched after Work.

Explanation

SAS will search in the order specified on the FMTSEARCH= option. By default, SAS searches in the Work and Library libraries first unless they are specified on the option. Because Library is not specified here, it is searched after Work.

9. Given the following PROC FORMAT step, how is the value 70 displayed when the AGEGRP. format is applied?

proc format;
   picture agegrp
           1-<13='00 Youth'
           13-<20='00 Teen'
           20-<70='00 Adult'
           70-high='000 Senior';
run;

000 Senior

70 Adult

70 Senior

070 Senior

A non-inclusive range is used such that the age at the high end of the range is not included. To create the picture format, three zeros are used to create a position for a three-digit numeric value. Because zero is used as a digit selector rather than a nonzero value, leading zeros are not included in the formatted value.

Explanation

A non-inclusive range is used such that the age at the high end of the range is not included. To create the picture format, three zeros are used to create a position for a three-digit numeric value. Because zero is used as a digit selector rather than a nonzero value, leading zeros are not included in the formatted value.

10. Which set of statements would you add to the PROC CATALOG code to copy the LEVELS. and $PICKS. formats from theSasuser.Formats catalog to the Work.Formats catalog?

proc catalog cat=sasuser.formats;
   ? 
   ? 
run;

Copy out=sasuser.formats;select levels.format $picks.format;

Copy out=work.formats;select levels $picks;

Copy out=work.formats;select levels.format picks.formatc;

Copy out=work.formats;select levels.format $picks.format;

In the COPY statement, OUT= specifies the catalog to which you want to copy the format catalog entry. In the SELECT statement you specify the catalog entries by their entire name. Remember that numeric formats are stored with the extension .FORMAT and character formats are stored with the extension .FORMATC.

Explanation

In the COPY statement, OUT= specifies the catalog to which you want to copy the format catalog entry. In the SELECT statement you specify the catalog entries by their entire name. Remember that numeric formats are stored with the extension .FORMAT and character formats are stored with the extension .FORMATC.