topic Re: Array embedded in macro in SAS Programming

Array embedded in macro

lizzy28 — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 22:00:11 GMT

I have windows 7 and SAS 9.3.

I am learning macro, and this is my first time to do array within a macro program. I know that there is a function for it, but cannot really understand the function. There are 15 variables (proc1-proc15) with the same attributes in 10 datasets (data1-data10). Here is my program:

%macro create_var();

%do i=1 to 10;

data mylib.data&i; set mylib.data&i;

tx=0;

array proc[15] proc1-proc15;

do j=1 to 15;

if proc(j) in (8540, 8541, 8542) then tx=1;

end;

run;

%end;

%mend;

%create_var();

run;

The red part is my array in regular data step. Anyone can teach me how to modify it to make the macro program work? Thanks a lot.

Re: Array embedded in macro

Reeza — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 22:03:14 GMT

There actually isn't something called a macro array. There are some workarounds but that's what they are.

Your code appears correct, what part do you need to change to make it macro?

Re: Array embedded in macro

lizzy28 — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 22:23:58 GMT

Thanks, Reeza. It does work now -- don't know why it didn't previously. Thanks a lot!

Re: Array embedded in macro

ballardw — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 23:29:17 GMT

A minor bit for efficiency. It looks like you don't care which variable contributes the values in the list so as soon as the first one is true you could leave the loop;

array proc[15] proc1-proc15;

do j=1 to 15;

if proc(j) in (8540, 8541, 8542) then tx=1;

if tx=1 then leave;

end;

if proc1 is 8540 then this avoids comparing proc2-15. Which may save some time in large datasets.