SAS - Example of how a format works

SAS_demo_format.sas

/*This program demonstrates how a built in SAS format works. 
It uses the WORDS format to display the age as thirteen rather than 13.
It also creates two additional variables, one is numeric and formatted,
the second is a character variable with the same value

Author: F.Khurshed
Date: 2018-03-23
*/

*Create a sample data set;
data class;
set sashelp.class;

*create a variable identical to age, but formatted;
age_numeric_format = age;
format age_numeric_format words.;

*Recode variable into character rather than use a format;
age_character = put(age, words.);

run;

title 'Demo of Formats';
proc print data=class;
run;

title 'Check formats and type for AGE variables';
proc contents data=class;run;
title;