topic Re: problem with using %goto in a data step in SAS Procedures

problem with using %goto in a data step

Mike_Davis — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 19:06:38 GMT

Hello everyone,

It seems in the SAS code below ,%goto statement doesn't work properly in a data step.

please advise.

Thanks!.

Mike

%macro testgoto(aaa);
data one;
x=symget('aaa');
put x=;
if x='ok' then do;

put ''x=ok;
%goto exit;
end;
else
do;

put 'x ^=ok';
end;
run;
%put Before exit;
%exit:
%put after exit;
%mend testgoto;

%testgoto(aaa=ok);

Re: problem with using %goto in a data step

Tom — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 19:13:10 GMT

%GOTO doesn't have anything to do with a data step. It is part of SAS macro language. SAS macro language is just used to generate text strings that SAS can then try to interpret as a program.

Your macro has no macro logic in it. So the generated code will always be:

data one;
x=symget('aaa');
put x=;
if x='ok' then do;

put ''x=ok;

That is not even a complete data step. So if you call this macro you will need too at least add an END; statement to close the DO loop that the code generated by the macro started.

Re: problem with using %goto in a data step

PaigeMiller — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 12:39:21 GMT

This is not an appropriate use of Macro statements. You can accomplish everything you need in a data step, without ever using a macro. See the documentation for the LINK statement for examples on how to branch to specific code.

Re: problem with using %goto in a data step

Sidi — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 14:33:57 GMT

Hello,

You can use goto in a data step but without the percentage at the begining.

Just goto instead of %goto.

Hope this help.