topic Re: Macro Quoting functions in SAS Programming

Macro Quoting functions

Babloo — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 11:49:31 GMT

May I request someone to provide me an easy example to understand the macro functions like %str, %nrstr, %quote and %bquote? Although I read the documentation I've trouble understanding them.

Thanks!

Re: Macro Quoting functions

LinusH — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 12:17:15 GMT

If there were an easy/short explanation for this, I'm pretty sure that should be in the documentation.

Read again, read various papers on the subject.

Use examples in doc, modify them and notice the behaviour.

Re: Macro Quoting functions

FreelanceReinh — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 12:27:23 GMT

A former colleague of mine, Roland Rashleigh-Berry, has published a nice article on this subject: http://www.datasavantconsulting.com/roland/mquoting.html

I think you'll like it.

Re: Macro Quoting functions

data_null__ — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 12:28:25 GMT

I recall a really nice blog post from one of the SAS folks on this subject. Does anyone remember that or am I having a senior moment?

Re: Macro Quoting functions

RW9 — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 12:36:20 GMT

Just my opinion, but if your having to use these, then there is 95% chance of a better way of doing things using Base SAS programming, in fact other than 1% of extreme circumstances, almost everything can be done in Base SAS.

Re: Macro Quoting functions

Quentin — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 17:01:03 GMT

Perhaps @data_null__ you are referring to this blog post from Russ Tyndall. I think it's an excellent resource.

http://blogs.sas.com/content/sgf/2014/08/15/macro-quoting-made-easy/

For more detailed reviews, see UG such as:

Whitlock: http://www.lexjansen.com/nesug/nesug03/at/at012.pdf

Dunn: http://www.lexjansen.com/scsug/2010/Dunn_5/Macro_Quoting.pdf

Re: Macro Quoting functions

Ksharp — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 05:01:12 GMT

Quickly go through this . Detials check documentation.

%str, %nrstr ,%quote ,%bquote are all used to mask the special characters (like blank comma ..) in a string.

%str, %nrstr are generally for a STRING .

%str will resolve the macro variable if it is included in the STRING. and need add % before non-pair ' " ( ) %

%nrstr will NOT resolve the macro variable if it is included in the STRING. and need add % before non-pair ' " ( ) %

%quote ,%bquote are generally for a MACRO VARIABLE .

%quote is old version of %bquote . Now almost be replaced by %bquote .

%bquote unlike %quote which need add % before non-pair ' "

Re: Macro Quoting functions

Babloo — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 05:15:19 GMT

Thank you!

An simple example would be helpful.

Re: Macro Quoting functions

Ksharp — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 05:34:35 GMT

OK.

%str, %nrstr are generally for a STRING .

%str will resolve the macro variable if it is included in the STRING. and need add % before non-pair ' " ( ) %

54 %let a=xxx;

55 %let b=%str(xxx&a.xxx);

56 %put &b ;

xxxxxxxxx

54 %let a=xxx;

55 %let b=%str(xxx&a.x%'xx%"xx%%);

56 %put &b ;

xxxxxxx'xx"xx%

%nrstr will NOT resolve the macro variable if it is included in the STRING. and need add % before non-pair ' " ( ) %

54 %let a=xxx;

55 %let b=%nrstr(xxx&a.x%'xx%"xx%%);

56 %put &b ;

xxx&a.x'xx"xx%

%quote ,%bquote are generally for a MACRO VARIABLE .

%quote is old version of %bquote . Now almost be replaced by %bquote .

%bquote unlike %quote which need add % before non-pair ' "

%bquote will resolve the macro variable in it .

54 %let a=xxx;

55 %let b=%bquote(xxx&a.x'xx"xx);

56 %put &b ;

xxxxxxx'xx"xx