topic Re: SAS EG Commenting Styles in SAS Programming

SAS EG Commenting Styles

RedUser77 — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 15:08:36 GMT

I am wanting to achieve the commenting style seen below. Is there a keyboard shortcut for this style? How does one format this commenting style? I know how to add typical commenting syntax such as CTRL + / or CTRL + SHIFT + /, but would like to figure out the below.. And, I can see the style on SAS Help Center, but do not see how to format said commenting style.

Re: SAS EG Commenting Styles

ChrisHemedinger — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 15:21:31 GMT

One common thing people like to do is add a "comment block header" to the top of a program. You can create a template for this using the code snippet (abbreviation) feature, and then map that to a key. You can also build an editor macro (not to be confused with SAS macro language) to add certain text (like current date, etc) to that, and then assign a shortcut key for it. Start at Program->Manage macros and snippets.

There are many actions that you can automate in this way -- have a look around and see what you can build.

Re: SAS EG Commenting Styles

Tom — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 15:27:46 GMT

Snippet is the way to go.

But I really recommend ditching the "box".

1) It does not really make the comment stand out any better than simple white space.

2) You will never be able to keep the box aligned after editing.

3) You could end up with the box characters off the edge of the screen, which can cause them to accidently become part of the code.

So not only does the box do no good, it could actually do harm.

Re: SAS EG Commenting Styles

RedUser77 — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 15:34:12 GMT

After doing more research into it, I completely agree. Thanks anyways!