DIVIDE Function

Returns the result of a division that handles special missing values for ODS output.

Category:

Arithmetic

Syntax

DIVIDE(x, y)

Required Arguments

x

is a numeric constant, variable, or expression.

y

is a numeric constant, variable, or expression.

Details

The DIVIDE function divides two numbers and returns a result that is compatible with ODS conventions. The function handles special missing values for ODS output. The following list shows how certain special missing values are interpreted in ODS:

.I as infinity
.M as minus infinity
._ as a blank

The following table shows the values that are returned by the DIVIDE function, based on the values of x and y.

Values That Are Returned by the DIVIDE Function

Note: The DIVIDE function never writes a note to the SAS log regarding missing values, division by zero, or overflow.

Example

The following example shows the results of using the DIVIDE function.

data _null_;
   a = divide(1, 0);
   put +3 a= '(infinity)';
   b = divide(2, .I); 
   put +3 b=;        
   c = divide(.I, -1);
   put +3 c= '(minus infinity)';
   d = divide(constant('big'), constant('small'));
   put +3 d= '(infinity because of overflow)';
run;

SAS writes the following output to the log:

   a=I (infinity)
   b=0
   c=M (minus infinity)
   d=I (infinity because of overflow)