topic deleting list of macro variables in SAS Procedures

deleting list of macro variables

hdg — Mon, 05 May 2014 19:48:11 GMT

Hello, I have a list of macro variables specified as below

proc sql noprint;

select count(distinct date) into :Num_Dates from &ds1;

select distinct date into : Date1-:Date%left(&Num_Dates)

from &ds1;

quit;

Is there a way to delete Date1 etc without having to list of all of them I normally use %symdel Thank you!

jakarman — Mon, 05 May 2014 19:58:49 GMT

Put your processing in a macro. All defined macro variables will become in the scope local.

When the macro execution stops all local variables are deleted automatic. Nothing to bother about deleting them.

hdg — Mon, 05 May 2014 21:23:42 GMT

yes I am doing that but just wanted to know if there was a way for my own reference Thanks!

data_null__ — Mon, 05 May 2014 21:56:12 GMT

There is a dictionary view and data step view of macro variables. You can use that to create the list of variable names you want to delete.

Quentin — Mon, 05 May 2014 22:57:08 GMT

Here's an approach like _null_ suggested:

data _null_ ;

set sashelp.vmacro ;

where scope='GLOBAL' and offset=0 and name like "DATE%" ;

call execute('%nrstr(%%)symdel '||trim(left(name))||';') ;

run ;