How do you read in nonstandard data in SAS?

When reading nonstandard data in SAS, using informats combined with the colon format modifier is an effective approach. This method allows you to instruct SAS on how to interpret the incoming data values that do not conform to the standard input formats.

Informats are particularly useful when the data contains anomalies such as unexpected characters, varying lengths, or special formats that require specific reading rules. The colon modifier, specifically, tells SAS to read the data values until a specified delimiter is encountered. This capability is crucial for processing complex data entries correctly.

For example, if you have data with variable lengths or character strings that contain embedded delimiters, using informats with the colon modifier facilitates precise reading. This method helps ensure that SAS accurately interprets and stores your data, making it a valuable technique for working with nonstandard datasets.

While other methods like the data lines statement and the LENGTH statement have their places, they either don't explicitly address the nuances of nonstandard formats or are inadequate for controlling how specific data types are interpreted. Consequently, relying on informats with the colon modifier stands out as the most robust solution for this scenario.