data test;
verysmall=-9999999;
miss_dot=.;
miss_a=.A;
miss_n=.N;
miss_z=.Z;
miss__=._;
if miss__ < miss_dot then put "._ < .";
if miss_dot < miss_a then put ". < .A";
if miss_a < miss_n then put ".A < .N";
if miss_n < miss_z then put ".N < .Z";
if miss_z < verysmall then put ".Z < verysmall";
run;