ValueSet.removeDuplicates Function

Format

i = valueset_name.removeDuplicates(ʃ by code ‖ label ʅ);

Description

The ValueSet.removeDuplicates function removes duplicate values from a ValueSet object, leaving the first entry of a duplicate in the dynamic value set. Because a value set entry has both a code and a label, a duplicate is considered as follows, based on the argument to the function:

Argument	Duplicate
—	A duplicate is when both the code and label match.
by code	A duplicate is when the code matches, even if the label differs.
by label	A duplicate is when the label matches, even if the code differs.

When using a numeric value set with ranges (i.e., both from and to codes are defined), a duplicate code is considered one where both the from and to values are identical. For example, the following codes are considered unique: 0, 0 - 4, 0 - 9.

Return Value

The function returns the number of duplicates removed from the value set. If the value set is read-only, the function returns default.

Example

PROC REPORT_DISTRICT

preproc

// for this dynamic value set, show only districts in the
// selected province where data has been collected
ValueSet districts_vs;

forcase PHC_DICT where PROVINCE = REPORT_PROVINCE do
districts_vs.add(DISTRICT_VS1, DISTRICT);
endfor;

// remove duplicates
districts_vs.removeDuplicates();

setvalueset(REPORT_DISTRICT, districts_vs);