topic Re: valid varnames in New SAS User

valid varnames

VDD — Wed, 29 Jan 2020 16:47:32 GMT

Would someone point me to the option for valid varnames for value and varables that exceed maximum length of 32 character?

thank you

Re: valid varnames

novinosrin — Wed, 29 Jan 2020 16:54:35 GMT

Hi @VDD For all I know, there isn't a validvarname=option that accommodates more than 32 bytes for a dataset name or variable name. If I am not wrong, Labels are the only option

I just double checked right now, and it seems my thought was right.

Re: valid varnames

Kurt_Bremser — Wed, 29 Jan 2020 17:00:17 GMT

There is no option (yet) for this. The 32 bytes are a hard limit because of the layout of the SAS dataset file header (amongst other reasons).

I do not expect a change before SAS version 10. Personally, I would do such a change only in a major release.

Re: valid varnames

VDD — Wed, 29 Jan 2020 17:03:17 GMT

thank you @novinosrin and @Kurt_Bremser late-night and early-morning confused me. I remember the conversations in the community and just had my wires crossed. again thank you for the clarity.