topic what does "&schema." mean? in SAS Programming

what does "&schema." mean?

shawnyap — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 12:53:49 GMT

Hi, I am a new beginner on SAS. Get a script from a programmer.

Anyone would be able to explain what does '&schema.' mean? what is the relationship between lib and db shown as below? Thanks.

%conn;
%conxn(P_AU_EDW1_FC_V,fc,lib);

proc sql;
%conxn(&schema., PAT, db);

...

quit;

Re: what does "&schema." mean?

Kurt_Bremser — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 13:11:54 GMT

We'd need the macro code for detailed answers, but I guess you should look at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Database_schema

Re: what does "&schema." mean?

ballardw — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 14:41:43 GMT

@shawnyap wrote:

Hi, I am a new beginner on SAS. Get a script from a programmer.

Anyone would be able to explain what does '&schema.' mean? what is the relationship between lib and db shown as below? Thanks.

%conn;
%conxn(P_AU_EDW1_FC_V,fc,lib);

proc sql;
%conxn(&schema., PAT, db);

...

quit;

This "means" that your programmer needs to learn how to document code shared or used by others.

&schema refers to a macro variable which would resolve to some text. Where the value is set depends on previous code or environment perhaps. Your shown use implies that at least one use of the macro variable is to pass the first parameter to another macro code block (the %conxn() bit). The documentation for the macro should tell someone what is expected for that first positional parameter.