topic Re: Finding the name of a dataset whilst in the datastep in SAS Programming

Finding the name of a dataset whilst in the datastep

leannemcn13 — Fri, 21 Dec 2018 15:17:03 GMT

I have a piece of code that I want to use, possibly inside and outside of data steps. In order to use "DOSUBL" I need to check whether I'm inside a data step or not. I know it doesn't sound great, but just bare with me.

I've tried SYSLAST etc but it doesn't work.

data test1;
  set test;

%com(blah blah blah);
      %macro com /parmbuff;

***WOULD LIKE TO INSERT CODE HERE TO CHECK IF I'M INSIDE DATASTEP****
         rc = %sysfunc(dosubl(
          *extra code*
         ));
        %mend com;
run;

I've tried changing it to macro code such as:

data test1;
  set test;

%com(blah blah blah);
      %macro com /parmbuff;

         %let rc = %sysfunc(dosubl(
          *extra code*
         ));
        %mend com;
run;

But constantly got the errors:

NOTE: One or more missing close parentheses have been supplied for the %DOSUBL function.
ERROR: Expected close parenthesis after macro function invocation not found.

& yes i did have the same amount of open brackets as i did closed. It should be noted that inside the *extra code section* I have data steps, let statements, macro do's etc.

Wondering if anyone knows of any functions that would help me do this. I was thinking if there was something to check if last data step was closed or something. I'm a bit unsure what I'm looking for, so open to suggestions.

(Please don't ask me why its confusing and will sound silly to anyone not working on it)

Re: Finding the name of a dataset whilst in the datastep

Tom — Fri, 21 Dec 2018 15:28:37 GMT

Use the automatic macro variable SYSPROCNAME.

%macro test;
%if &sysprocname=DATASTEP %then %put Running in Data step ;
%else %put NOT in data step;
%mend test;

data a;
 set sashelp.class ;
 %test;
run;

proc sql ;
 %test;
quit;

%test;

PS. Your sample code is garbled as it has the macro definition AFTER the macro call. On top of that it has the macro definition in the middle of a data step.

Re: Finding the name of a dataset whilst in the datastep

leannemcn13 — Fri, 21 Dec 2018 15:48:15 GMT

Yes, this is not my actual code- that was private, hence the "blah blah blah". I just wanted to give you a quick example.

Either way that has worked, thank you so much! I can now finish for Christmas break Happy as Larry.