topic Re: Executing %sysget without generating an error? in SAS Programming

Executing %sysget without generating an error?

ScottBass — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 11:55:48 GMT

Hi,

Is there a way to either conditionally execute %sysget, or unconditionally execute it without causing a warning message?

For example, with macro variables:

%macro foo;

%if (%symexist(foo)) %then %do;

%if (&foo eq BAR) %then

%put BAR;

%else

%put BLAH;

%end;

%mend;

Also, NOSERROR can come in handy sometimes to suppress warnings about unresolved macro variables.

So, analogously:

%macro foo;

%if %sysexist(foo) %then %do; * the mythical %sysexist function ;

%let foo=%sysget(foo);

%if (&foo eq BAR) %then

%put BAR;

%else

%put BLAH;

%end;

%mend;

I'd kinda think a %sysexist function, paired with %sysget, would be a no-brainer for SAS by now???

Cheers,

Scott

Re: Executing %sysget without generating an error?

DBailey — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 12:35:51 GMT

not to be too simplistic...but if you've set NOSERROR, then doesn't this work?

%if "&foo"="BAR" %then %put BAR;

%else %put BLAH;

Re: Executing %sysget without generating an error?

Tom — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 17:06:22 GMT

Are you running SAS 9.3 ? Use SYSEXIST function

SAS(R) 9.3 Functions and CALL Routines: Reference

%macro foo;

%if %sysfunc(sysexist(foo)) %then %do; * the mythical %sysexist function ;

%let foo=%sysget(foo);

%if (&foo eq BAR) %then

%put BAR;

%else

%put BLAH;

%end;

%mend foo;

Re: Executing %sysget without generating an error?

ScottBass — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 21:13:56 GMT

Doh! I guess I should read the "What's New in SAS 9.3" documentation! I was looking under the macro documentation for %sysexist to pair up with %sysget.

To SAS: I do think %sysexist would be useful, to add "symmetry" to these functions:

Data Step:

symexist --> symget

sysexist --> sysget

Macro:

%symexist --> %symget doesn't make sense here, just reference the &macrovariable

%sysexist --> %sysget

Thanks a lot Tom, I always appreciate your insights.

Re: Executing %sysget without generating an error?

DBailey — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 21:52:56 GMT

just for my edification....Do you do this for programming efficiencies?

Re: Executing %sysget without generating an error?

ScottBass — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 02:28:52 GMT

What is the "this" you're referring to above? The suppression of the warning or the use of environment variables?

Re: Executing %sysget without generating an error?

DBailey — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 13:26:24 GMT

that's what I was missing...these are environment variables...not macro variables...sorry for the confusion