topic Re: DM Studio: Using a macro in an expression node in SAS Data Management

DM Studio: Using a macro in an expression node

mal — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 23:08:40 GMT

Hey everyone,

I'm trying to use a macro for a datasource name. I've defined it under Administration > Macro Files, and I can use it successfully with other nodes, such as a SQL Query node. In an Expression node, though, it doesn't work. I've tried the two ways the Expression Language Guide suggests:

1) DSN = %%dsn_name%%

2) DSN = "%%dsn_name%%" // with quotes

2) DSN = getvar("dsn_name")

# 1 does not validate

# 2,3 validates, but results in the same error: "Data source name not found and no default driver specified..."

I'm using DM Studio 2.6.

Thanks,

mark

Re: DM Studio: Using a macro in an expression node

RonAgresta — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 12:22:53 GMT

Your expression code will look something like this:

string macro1
macro1 = getvar("MyMacro")

where MyMacro was defined in a macros file. A few things to check:

Have you used a "saved connection" with your DSN? This will have an impact on how you refer to your DSN in your macro. Using saved connections will reduce the DSN to just a name where not using them will mean you likely need to include additional information in your macro to refer to the database. Look at the advanced property of a node with a database connection and notice the difference when you do and do not use a saved connection.
Is a schema involved? In some nodes they are represented by a different property. Your DSN macro in your expression code may only be part of what you need to connect when you build the connection string for the dbconnect object.

Ron

Re: DM Studio: Using a macro in an expression node

mal — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 14:43:58 GMT

Hi Ron,

Thanks so much! I will try this out.

- mark