topic Why do we use %include? in SAS Programming

Why do we use %include?

GN0001 — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 01:06:43 GMT

Hello team, why we are using %include in sas?

What are the options if we don’t want to use it?

Regards
Blueblue

Re: Why do we use %include?

ballardw — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 01:19:27 GMT

%include is used to submit code stored in an external file.

Why? Many reasons are possible. One is that the code has been well debugged and doesn't need changes. So move to an external file so your current editor window isn't clogged up. Another just plain log code that doesn't change such as a bunch of format definitions.

Another use so that multiple users can access the code in the same file and inherit any changes made without rewriting code (cautions apply to other dependencies).

Re: Why do we use %include?

SASKiwi — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 01:21:19 GMT

Why we are using %include in sas?

To read in and run SAS code stored in another program file into the program with the %include statement.

What are the options if we don’t want to use it?

Copy the code that is in the other program and add it to the current program. The downside is you end up duplicating code all over your programs creating a potential maintenance problem.

Re: Why do we use %include?

GN0001 — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 01:40:14 GMT

Thanks fir the response. Is it recommended to use?
Blueblue

Re: Why do we use %include?

ballardw — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 02:23:01 GMT

@GN0001 wrote:
Thanks fir the response. Is it recommended to use?
Blueblue

If the examples I provided, or similar ideas, apply then yes. %include is a very mature tool been around in SAS coding since at least the 1980's.

Re: Why do we use %include?

PaigeMiller — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 10:06:07 GMT

@GN0001 wrote:
Hello team, why we are using %include in sas?

What are the options if we don’t want to use it?

If you don't want to use it, you can set up an AUTOCALL library of macros (if you are talking about macros, you don't really say) and then you don't have to use %include each time you want to use a macro.

And if your %include doesn't call in a macro, you could make it a macro.

Please see this thread for more details on the benefits of AUTOCALL compared to %include

https://communities.sas.com/t5/SAS-Programming/SAS-Macro-Help-Text-Documentation/m-p/753876#M237672

Re: Why do we use %include?

PaigeMiller — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 11:31:50 GMT

@GN0001 wrote:
Thanks fir the response. Is it recommended to use?
Blueblue

Any supported feature of SAS (and this is supported) is "recommended to use".

Whether or not it is a good idea to use it, or whether or not there are easier ways to do what you want, depends on a lot of things, including your situation and reason for using %include, which you have not explained.