topic why do we need to ods close listing first? in SAS Programming

why do we need to ods close listing first?

wzl9527 — Tue, 04 Jul 2023 09:15:07 GMT

if we create a rft file use ods,why do we need to program like this:

ods listing close;

ods rtf.....;

xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx

ods rtf close;

ods listing;

if we don't close listing first or sometimes we ingore it,there will be unexpected results,can someone tell me why,thanks!

Re: why do we need to ods close listing first?

Kurt_Bremser — Tue, 04 Jul 2023 09:49:27 GMT

Depending on the interface (SAS Studio, Enterprise Guide, Display Manager) and the run mode (interactive or batch), there will be ODS destinations opened by default (in batch particularly, ODS LISTING) or by settings of the interface.

To prevent SAS from trying to write a .lst file in the current working directory (especially when in batch mode), ODS LISTING CLOSE; is used.