Convert values from character to numeric or from numeric to character

/*  Convert a character value to a numeric value by using the INPUT   */
/*  function.  Specify a numeric informat that best describes how to  */
/*  read the data value into the numeric variable.                    */
/*                                                                    */
/*  When changing types a new variable name is required. If you need  */
/*  to keep the original variable name for the new type, use the      */
/*  RENAME= option as illustrated in Sample 2.                        */
 
 
data char;
  input string :$8. date :$6.;
  numeric=input(string,8.);
  sasdate=input(date,mmddyy6.);
  format sasdate mmddyy10.; 
datalines;
1234.56 031704
3920 123104
;
 
proc print; 
run; 
 
 
/*  Convert a numeric value to a character value by using the PUT      */
/*  function.  Specify a numeric format that describes how to write    */
/*  the numeric value to the character variable.  To left align        */
/*  the resulting character value, specify -L after the format         */
/*  specification.                                                     */
/*                                                                     */
/*  When changing types a new variable name is required.  If you need  */
/*  to keep the original variable name, use the RENAME= option on      */
/*  the SET statement to rename the variable as it comes into the PDV. */
/*  This allows the original variable name to be reused when you       */
/*  change type.                                                       */
 
 
 
data now_num; 
  input num date: mmddyy6.;
datalines;
123456 110204
1000 120504
;
 
data now_char;
  set now_num (rename=(num=oldnum date=olddate));
  num=put(oldnum,6. -L); 
  date=put(olddate,date9.);
run;
 
proc print; 
run;