How to convert a character variable that represents a date into a SAS date

Convert a character variable that represents a date into a SAS date

Use the INPUT function to convert a character value that represents a date into a SAS date value.

Data one;
input chardate1 :$6. chardate2 :$9. chardate3 $10. chardate4 :$9.;
datalines;
010199
31dec1999
21/09/2005
5/9/2005; Run;

/* Use the INPUT function to convert a character value that represents a date
*//* into a SAS date value. Choose the second parameter to the INPUT function
*//* based upon what the current character value looks like. Use a FORMAT
*//* statement to apply the date format you want when you are done. *//*

*//* Note: If you are in SAS 9.0 or above, you may prefer using the ANYDTDTEw.
*//* Informat as the second argument to the INPUT function. ANYDTDTEw.
*//* can read multiple date layouts. Refer to the SAS Language Reference,
*//* Dictionary under INFORMATS for more information. */


data two;
set one;
sasdate1=input(chardate1,mmddyy6.);
sasdate2=input(chardate2,date9.);
sasdate3=input(chardate3,ddmmyy10.);
sasdate4=input(chardate4,ddmmyy10.);
format sasdate1 mmddyy10. sasdate2 yymmdd10. sasdate3 date9. sasdate4 monyy7. ;
run;

proc print;
run;

RESULTS:
Obs chardate1 chardate2 chardate3 chardate4 sasdate1 sasdate2 sasdate3 sasdate4 1
01 0199 31dec1999 21/09/2005 5/9/2005 01/01/1999 1999-12-31 21SEP2005 SEP2005
source: http://support.sas.com/kb/24/591.html