If you define a numeric variable and assign the result of a character expression to it, SAS tries to convert the character result of the expression to a numeric value and to execute the statement. If ...

For additional information on changing columns from character to numeric and vice versa, refer to the PUT and INPUT functions and formats and informats in SAS Language Reference: Dictionary. The ...

Non-alphabetic or non-numeric character, such as @, #, $, %, &, * and +. Also called a "symbol." See alphanumeric and Win typing special characters. THIS DEFINITION IS FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY.