Naming the matrix same name as the dataset table

Bogdan — Thu, 05 Sep 2013 21:38:53 GMT

Would you recommend naming the matrix through use/read/close same name as the dataset or different name?

(and conversely from IML matrix to a table)

Using the same name might lead to confusion; also, is there any possible such interference?

On the other hand, using different names at same point looks like clutter.

Re: Naming the matrix same name as the dataset table

Rick_SAS — Fri, 06 Sep 2013 00:32:47 GMT

There is no conflict, so you can do whichever you prefer.

For me, it varies. If there is a correlation matrix in a data set named CORR, I might read it into a matrix of the same name.

If the data set is named MyCorrelationMatrix, I'll probably just read it into S.

Most real data sets have both character and numeric variables, so you can't read all variables into a single matrix. For example: the sashelp.class data set contains a SEX and a NAME variable (both character), so if I want to read the numeric variables I might just say:

use sashelp.class;

read all var _num_ into X;

close sashelp.class;

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Naming the matrix same name as the dataset table

Re: Naming the matrix same name as the dataset table