topic Re: Array in Function, Reference a subset in SAS Programming

Array in Function, Reference a subset

bob_pearson — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 17:34:14 GMT

Hi all,

Is there a way to reference a subset of an array in a function call? The code below is a stripped down version of what I'm working with. What I'm looking for is something like the commented out LastN assignments at the bottom, which I know don't work. The number of tokens may vary, so the hard-coded reference in the uncommented LastN won't do it. I can loop through the last N words and sequentially add one token at a time, but I thought there might be a more direct method using the OF operator such as in the "all" assignment. Any ideas?

Bob

data a;

input string $30.;

cards;

adam doug bob craig

pete repeat george regeorge

;

run;

data b;

set a;

if _n_=1 then do;

array token {9} $15 _temporary_;

** other stuff;

end;

nTokens = countw(string);

do _i=1 to nTokens;

token[_i] = scan(string, _i);

end;

first = token{1};

all = catx('-', of token

);

lastN = catx('-', token{2}, token{3}, token{4})

* lastN2 = catx('-', of token{2:4});

* lastN3 = catx('-', of token{2}-token{4});

;

run;

Re: Array in Function, Reference a subset

Astounding — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 18:45:57 GMT

It is surprising that TOKEN

works, but the others don't. At any rate, you can construct LASTN based on ALL:

lastN4 = catx('-', scan(all, '-', -3), scan(all, '-', -2), scan(all, '-', -1));

That should work, as long as none of the tokens contain a dash. That shouldn't be a problem, seeing how the individual tokens are created by SCAN with the default set of delimiters.

Finally, BEWARE. Your code will give you the wrong result when the number of tokens decreases from one observation to the next. In a temporary array, the values are automatically retained. So with 4 tokens on the current observation, you will still have the retained value for token[5] if a value was assigned on any previous observation.

Good luck.

Re: Array in Function, Reference a subset

data_null__ — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 19:17:09 GMT

Astounding wrote:

It is surprising that TOKEN

works, but the others don't. At any rate, you can construct LASTN based on ALL:

Actually it's not all surprising that (of array-name

) works because that is a kind of SAS variable list. I believe the feature for temporary arrays was added in 9.2. It would be nice if the other forms worked in OF lists. Probably something to do with compile vs execute.

Re: Array in Function, Reference a subset

bob_pearson — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 22:55:04 GMT

I've ended up doing the DO loop method just to be safe. Would love to use the OF syntax though if it ever comes. Thanks for the input.

do _i=2 to nTokens;

lastN= catx(' ', lastN, token{_i});

end;