topic Re: array with dynamic name in SAS Programming

array with dynamic name

ponder — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 17:37:05 GMT

Dear all,

I have a data with columnnames column_1 to column_n and i want to create an array out of the columns. n is dynamic.

what i have in mind is
%let i=5;
data x;
set y;
array var column1-column&i;
run;

But it does not work. Any suggestion is highly appraciated.

Thanks

Re: array with dynamic name

ed_sas_member — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 17:49:07 GMT

Hi @ponder ,

It seems that you have a mispelling in the column name (missing underscore).

Could you please test this code and tell us if the issue persists? (please do not hesitate to share the error message)

Best,

data x;
	set y;
	array var(*) column_1-column_&i;
run;

Re: array with dynamic name

Kurt_Bremser — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 20:03:05 GMT

"does not work" on its own is awfully vague and tells us next to nothing. If you have (a) problem(s), post the log, and if you get results that do not meet your expectations, post example data, the result, and what you expected.

Re: array with dynamic name

Reeza — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 20:28:29 GMT

@ponder wrote:
Dear all,

I have a data with columnnames column_1 to column_n and i want to create an array out of the columns. n is dynamic.

what i have in mind is
%let i=5;
data x;
set y;
array var column1-column&i;
run;

But it does not work. Any suggestion is highly appraciated.

Thanks

Here is a reference that illustrates how to refer to variables and datasets in a short cut list. Using a list lets you avoid using macros.
https://blogs.sas.com/content/iml/2018/05/29/6-easy-ways-to-specify-a-list-of-variables-in-sas.html

array var(*) column: ;
*this will take all column names that start with column;

Re: array with dynamic name

ponder — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 20:50:34 GMT

Thanks! That solved my problem.

For the next time i will provide more information about the problem