topic Re: Size of array = number of observations in the data set -How to make that work? in SAS Programming

Size of array = number of observations in the data set -How to make that work?

Kolobok — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 17:58:53 GMT

Hi!

I am new to SAS, to please forgive if this is a rather elementary question.

I have a data set that has lets say 15 observations. I am able to count them using _N_ as well as proc sql count function.

I want to declare an array of the size N where N would be equal to the number of observations...

proc sql;

select count (col1) ;

from dataset1;

quit;

array (N) $;

Thank you in advance for all you help!

Re: Size of array = number of observations in the data set -How to make that work?

CTorres — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 18:21:51 GMT

To do this you have to create a macro variable and the use it in the data step:

proc sql noprint;
select Count(*) into :dim
from sashelp.class;
quit;

%put &dim;

data _null_;
/* statements.... */

array my_array(&dim) $;
/* more statements .... */

run;

Regards,

Re: Size of array = number of observations in the data set -How to make that work?

Kolobok — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 18:27:46 GMT

Thank you so much for the quick reply! This did the trick!

Re: Size of array = number of observations in the data set -How to make that work?

Haikuo — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 19:32:28 GMT

Obviously count(*) will be the most accurate approach, but it could take some time if doing it on a huge table. Then you could try to get the number of obs from Meta data instead of actually counting it on the fly:

data _null_;

call symputx('nobs', nobs);

stop;

set sashelp.class nobs=nobs;

run;

%put &nobs;

proc sql;

select nobs into :nobs from dictionary.tables where libname='SASHELP' AND MEMNAME='CLASS';QUIT;

%put &nobs;

Haikuo

Re: Size of array = number of observations in the data set -How to make that work?

Kolobok — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 20:12:31 GMT

Thank you so much for your reply Haikuo! I am just learning SAS and I am very happy I found this board!