topic Problems with PUTVARN() and LOCATEN() in SAS Procedures

Problems with PUTVARN() and LOCATEN()

deleted_user — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 16:54:27 GMT

hello,

after several hours of working I am somehow desperated.

I need to change entries of a table (table1) depending on the settings in another table (table2). so far so good, first I decided to check for the specific value in table2 with the command LOCATEN(). the SAS system returned with the error that it doesnt know the function LOCATEN().

well... I thought many ways lead to Rome, so I redesigned it and created an array in table1 with the settings from table2 (because GETVARN() was working)... but now, when I try to change the value with call PUTVARN(), then the SAS system returns with the same error: unknown routine.

there is no information about that problem in the help system, only that both functions (LOCATEN() and PUTVARN()) are available... but I dont know why both are not working.

Any help is appreciated

Re: Problems with PUTVARN() and LOCATEN()

sbb — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 16:58:13 GMT

Suggest you share your SAS code, also paste the SAS log output where you are getting the error.

Scott Barry
SBBWorks, Inc.

Re: Problems with PUTVARN() and LOCATEN()

deleted_user — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 17:25:33 GMT

this is the code sniplet:

data _null_;

array mname_trans[200] $ mnametrans1-mnametrans200;

ntrans = 0;

dsid = OPEN( 'merk' );
nobs = ATTRN( dsid, 'NOBS' );

do i=1 to nobs;
rc = fetchobs( dsid, i );
mname = getvarc( dsid, VARNUM( dsid, 'NAME' ) );
mmethod = getvarc( dsid, VARNUM( dsid, 'METHODE' ) );
if mmethod eq 'S%' then
do;
ntrans = ntrans + 1;
mname_trans[ntrans] = mname;
end;
end;

rc=CLOSE( dsid );

dsid = OPEN( 'V_Daten' );
nobs = ATTRN( dsid, 'NOBS' );
nvar = ATTRN( dsid, 'NVARS' );

do i=1 to nvar;

vname = VARNAME( dsid, i );

do k=1 to ntrans;

if ( mname_trans eq vname ) then do;

do j=1 to nobs;

rc = fetchobs( dsid, j );
value = GETVARN( dsid, i );

if value le 10.0 then value = 1;
else if value le 20.0 then value = 2;
else if value le 30.0 then value = 3;
else if value le 40.0 then value = 4;
else if value le 50.0 then value = 5;
else if value le 60.0 then value = 6;
else if value le 70.0 then value = 7;
else if value le 80.0 then value = 8;
else value = 9;

call putvarn( dsid, i, value );

end;

leave; /* tanslation found, leave do loop */

end;

end;

end;

rc=CLOSE( dsid );

keep [KFAKTOR1] [KORT] [KJAHR] [ADICH] [AWDA] [AFUS_B] [APHYPZE_B] [AM_NWI2];

run;

and this is what SAS returns:

665 if value le 10.0 then value = 1;
666 else if value le 20.0 then value = 2;
667 else if value le 30.0 then value = 3;
668 else if value le 40.0 then value = 4;
669 else if value le 50.0 then value = 5;
670 else if value le 60.0 then value = 6;
671 else if value le 70.0 then value = 7;
672 else if value le 80.0 then value = 8;
673 else value = 9;
674
675 call putvarn( dsid, i, value );
_______
_______
_______
251
251
251
FEHLER 251-185: Die Subroutine PUTVARN ist unbekannt oder nicht verfügbar. Prüfen Sie die (=> translation: the subroutine PUTVARN is either unknown or not available. check the)
FEHLER 251-185: Die Subroutine PUTVARN ist unbekannt oder nicht verfügbar. Prüfen Sie die
FEHLER 251-185: Die Subroutine PUTVARN ist unbekannt oder nicht verfügbar. Prüfen Sie die
Schreibweise. (=> translation: spelling)
Schreibweise.
Schreibweise.
Entweder wurde sie nicht im Pfad ausführbarer Images gefunden oder (=>translation: either it wasnd found in the path of executable images or)
Entweder wurde sie nicht im Pfad ausführbarer Images gefunden oder
Entweder wurde sie nicht im Pfad ausführbarer Images gefunden oder
falsche/unvollständige Informationen über den Subroutinendeskriptor lagen vor. (=> translation: wrong/incomplete information about the subroutine descriptor were available)
falsche/unvollständige Informationen über den Subroutinendeskriptor lagen vor.
falsche/unvollständige Informationen über den Subroutinendeskriptor lagen vor.

Re: Problems with PUTVARN() and LOCATEN()

deleted_user — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 17:31:37 GMT

this is another test I ran for the LOCATEN() problem:

76 data test;
77 array tab[10] tab1-tab10;
78 do i=1 to 10;
79 tab = i;
80 end;
81 run;
82
83 proc print data=test;
84 run;
85
86 data test2;
87 set test;
88
89 id = OPEN( 'test' );
90 row = locaten( id, varnum( id, 'tab1'), 1 );
-------
68
FEHLER 68-185: Funktion LOCATEN ist unbekannt oder nicht ausführbar. (same error: unknown funciton)

91 run;

Re: Problems with PUTVARN() and LOCATEN()

deleted_user — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 17:38:28 GMT

this is the SAS version I am running: SAS 9.1.3 Service Pack 1

Re: Problems with PUTVARN() and LOCATEN()

Peter_C — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 17:44:12 GMT

base SAS cannot use scl-type function OPEN() to open dataset for output. Check the function in base SAS Language Reference.
Why use these functions - it looks harder than base SAS?
Alternatively, use SAS/AF directly with compiled SCL instead of the base SAS environment. Then modify your OPEN() for output.

Good luck
peterC

Re: Problems with PUTVARN() and LOCATEN()

sbb — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 17:45:01 GMT

I believe you are attempting to use SAS Component Language (SCL) elements in your program, which are not available.

Scott Barry
SBBWorks, Inc.

SAS(R) Component Language 9.2: Reference, Introduction:
http://support.sas.com/documentation/cdl/en/sclref/59578/HTML/default/a000308113.htm

Re: Problems with PUTVARN() and LOCATEN()

deleted_user — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 18:03:40 GMT

thank you for the answers, although they do not help me very much 😞

Basically I am a C++ developper whom was given the task to write a SAS skript that is called from a PiafSTAT program (which is a German analytical tool for research). So in the end I am a bloody newby with SAS who has no problems with open, close, get and put commands, but got problems with thinking in the SAS way.

Well, back to topic: I wonder, wy the SCL-command GETVARN() is working and PUTVARN() not, as both are contents of the SCL-language.

and I have no clue how to activate the SCL-language.

@peter: I have no clue about SAS/AF and fear, that the combination of PiafSTAT and SAS doesnt let me choose the envirenment. And I dont hava a clue how to check for the function for PUTVARN() in base SAS language. I worked the whole days through the help system but couldnt find it. So I hope to get help here in the forum.

Re: Problems with PUTVARN() and LOCATEN()

SPR — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 18:34:51 GMT

Hello Saracaeus,

You said "I need to change entries of a table (table1) depending on the settings in another table (table2)". This sounds too general. If you could give an example of tables 1 and 2 and what would you like to achieve, then it would be much easier to help you with SAS code.

Sincerely,
SPR

Re: Problems with PUTVARN() and LOCATEN()

deleted_user — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 18:55:38 GMT

table1 contains test data... but some of them are given in % (0-100) => method "S%" and some of them are given in marks (1-9) => method "BON19"

table2 specifies the method of the data.

here an example:

table1

year density1 density2 ..... densityX
=============================
2004 100 2 56
2005 89 4 78
2006 45 7 98

table2:

name method
================
density1 S%
density2 BON19
.
.
.
densityX S%

in the final working table all data must be stored as marks, the translation mechanism is the following:

percentage mark
=================
le 10% 1
le 20% 2
le 30% 3
le 40% 4
le 50% 5
le 60% 6
le 70% 7
le 80% 8
gt 80% 9

so I need to recalculate all these columns that are stored in %.

during runtime it decides, what and how many data I get. the colmun names are not always density1 ... densityX... they can vary... they are available in a special symbol (e.g. [ANAMES]), this symbol is translated by PiafSTAT to the real names => [ANAMES] will be resolved to: "density1 density2 density3 density4" ). so if you write "BY [ANAMES];" ... => then SAS will see: "BY density1 density2 density3 density4;"

I hope I explained clear enough.

I work since 20 hours at this problem. As a c++ developper I have a complete different way of thinking, I fear, I am desperating with that small problem.

Thank you for any help,
Tom

Re: Problems with PUTVARN() and LOCATEN()

deleted_user — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 19:06:06 GMT

... and the irony is: if PUTVAR() would work, I would have solved this problem already 😞

Re: Problems with PUTVARN() and LOCATEN()

SPR — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 20:05:55 GMT

Hello Saraceus,

This is the code for your task if I understood it corretly:
[pre]
/* Writing name and method values into macro variables */;
proc SQL noprint;
select COUNT(*) into :n from table2;
%let n=%trim(&n);
select name into :d1-:d&n from table2;
select method into :m1-:m&n from table2;
quit;
/* Final results are in variables r1-r&n */;
%macro a;
%local i;
data r (drop=i);
set table1;
%do i=1 %to &n;
/* Checking method */
if UPCASE("&&m&i") = "S%" then do;
if &&d&i <= 10 then r&i=1;
else if 10 < &&d&i <= 20 then r&i=2;
else if 20 < &&d&i <= 30 then r&i=3;
else if 30 < &&d&i <= 40 then r&i=4;
else if 40 < &&d&i <= 50 then r&i=5;
else if 50 < &&d&i <= 60 then r&i=6;
else if 60 < &&d&i <= 70 then r&i=7;
else if 60 < &&d&i <= 80 then r&i=8;
else if 80 < &&d&i then r&i=9;
end;
else r&i=&&d&i;
%end;
run;
%mend;
%a[/pre]
Sincerely,
SPR

Re: Problems with PUTVARN() and LOCATEN()

deleted_user — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 20:34:37 GMT

hello SPR,

thousand thanks for your reply 🙂

I want to understand the code, so pls excuse me if I have some questions:

1) now the final results are in r1-r&n => I need them written back into table1, or did I misunderstand and due to the data r; set table1; => all data is in table r?

2) if &&d&i <= 10 then r&i=1;
=> isn't &&d&i the macro variable from the SQL proc? if so, it contains the names of table2, not the values :(... somehow I need basic understanding of all the r&i and &&d&i... where can I read about the '&'? or is there any easy explanation of referencing and dereferencing (what I think is the mysterious &)

thank you in advance.
Tom

Re: Problems with PUTVARN() and LOCATEN()

deleted_user — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 21:00:31 GMT

OK, while working a bit with the code I think I start to understand

in &d&i is the name of the variable, so & &d&i refers to the value of the name of the variable, right?

if this is correct I will figure it out 🙂

Tom

Re: Problems with PUTVARN() and LOCATEN()

SPR — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 21:13:41 GMT

Hello Tom,

1) If you need to rewrite simply replace r&i with d&i, e.g.
[pre]
replace if &&d&i <= 10 then r&i=1;
with if &&d&i <= 10 then d&i=1;
[/pre]
2) you are right.

3) plase delete drop=i in my code. it is a leftover from the previous version.

SPR

Re: Problems with PUTVARN() and LOCATEN()

SPR — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 21:30:38 GMT

Hello Tom,

Sorry, the correct code for macro %a is like this:
[pre]
%macro a;
%local i;
data r;
set table1;
%do i=1 %to &n;
/* Checking method */
if UPCASE("&&m&i") = "S%" then do;
if &&d&i le 10 then &&d&i=1;
else if 10 lt &&d&i le 20 then &&d&i=2;
else if 20 lt &&d&i le 30 then &&d&i=3;
else if 30 lt &&d&i le 40 then &&d&i=4;
else if 40 lt &&d&i le 50 then &&d&i=5;
else if 50 lt &&d&i le 60 then &&d&i=6;
else if 60 lt &&d&i le 70 then &&d&i=7;
else if 60 lt &&d&i le 80 then &&d&i=8;
else if 80 lt &&d&i then &&d&i=9;
end;
%end;
run;
%mend;
%a
[/pre]
SPR

Re: Problems with PUTVARN() and LOCATEN()

deleted_user — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 22:11:09 GMT

first of all: I have never been closer 🙂 thx a lot...

one thing left: I have put a control-print in the do-loop.. like this (btw... sorry I dont know how to post code in Courier font):

.
.
if UPCASE("&&m&i") = "S%" then do;

%put changing &&d&i => &&m&i;

if &&d&i le 10 then &&d&i=1;
else if 10 lt &&d&i le 20 then &&d&i=2;
.
.

the result is the following:
661 %a
changing D_AUFG => DATUM
changing D_VEGB => DATUM
changing D_SCHN_3 => DATUM
changing D_SCHN_4 => DATUM
changing D_SCHN_5 => DATUM
changing D_SCHN_6 => DATUM
changing D_SCHN_7 => DATUM
changing D_SCHN_8 => DATUM
changing DICHVS_9 => BON19
changing DICHVS_10 => BON19
changing DICHVS_11 => BON19
changing DICHVS_12 => BON19
changing DICHVS_13 => BON19
changing DICHVS_14 => BON19
changing DICHVS_15 => BON19
changing DICHNS_16 => BON19
changing DICHNS_17 => BON19
changing DICHNS_18 => BON19
changing DICHNS_19 => BON19
changing DICHNS_20 => BON19
changing DICHNS_21 => BON19
changing DICHNS_22 => BON19
changing DICHVW => BON19
changing DICHNW => BON19
changing WDAVW_25 => BON19
changing WDANW_26 => BON19
changing WDAVS_27 => BON19
changing WDAVS_28 => BON19
changing WDAVS_29 => BON19
changing WDAVS_30 => BON19
12 Das SAS System 23:07 Tuesday, November 16, 2010

changing WDAVS_31 => BON19
changing WDAVS_32 => BON19
.
.
.

am I wrong or does it change even values for DATUM and BON19??? (which it shouldnt do)?

Tom

Re: Problems with PUTVARN() and LOCATEN()

deleted_user — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 22:27:18 GMT

hello SPR,

but seems the %put statement is printed regardless of the result of the if-clause. I am such a newby... my god.

I just added a counter that counts whenever the code enteres the if-clause, and the counter ended up by 18, which is a good value 🙂

thank you a lot for your precious time, you helped me a lot...
and I still have to learn a lot about SAS... well after that project I will never have anything to do with SAS :)... well, never say never.

so thank you again,
Tom

Re: Problems with PUTVARN() and LOCATEN()

data_null__ — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 12:13:49 GMT

I may not understand competly but it sounds like all the information about what needs to be modified can be derived from "table2" the table of names and methods.

From that you can create a data set of variables that need to be modified. This data set can be used in a data step to create an array of the variables that need to be transformed.

[pre]
proc format;
value s2bon
0-<10 = '1'
10-<20 = '2'
20-<30 = '3'
30-<40 = '4'
40-<50 = '5'
50-<60 = '6'
60-<70 = '7'
70-<80 = '8'
80<-high='9'
;
run;

data density;
input year density1 density2 density10;
cards;
2004 100 2 56
2005 89 4 78
2006 45 7 98
;;;;
run;
data method;
input name:$32. method:$8.;
retain i 0;
cards;
density1 S%
density2 BON19
density10 S%
;;;;
run;
proc transpose data=method out=S(drop=_name_ where=(0));
where method eq 'S%';
id name;
var i;
run;
proc contents varnum;
run;
data density;
if 0 then set s;
array s

_numeric_;
modify density;
do _n_ = 1 to dim(s);
s[_n_]=input(put(s[_n_],s2bon.),F1.);
end;
replace;
run;
proc print data=density;
run;

[/pre]

Re: Problems with PUTVARN() and LOCATEN()

Patrick — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 12:45:51 GMT

Hi

It's always hard to post somthing after data _null_; .... but because I've already created the code I don't want to waste it now. So below what I planned to proprose:

As always there are many ways in SAS to get a job done.

Below a bit another approach which might work for you.

/* --------------------- */
/* 1. create sample data */
data have;
input year density1 density2 densityX;
datalines;
2004 100 2 56
2005 89 4 78
2006 45 7 98
;
run;

data Methods;
input name $ method $;
datalines;
density1 S%
density2 BON19
densityX S%
;
run;

/* -------------------- */
/* 2. create format */
proc format;
value PctToMark
low -< 10 =1
10 -< 20 =2
20 -< 30 =3
30 -< 40 =4
40 -< 50 =5
50 -< 60 =6
60 -< 70 =7
70 -< 80 =8
80 - high =9
;
run;

/* ------------------------------------------------------------------*/
/* 3. generate SAS data step code and write it to a temporary file */
filename tmpfile temp;
data _null_;
file tmpfile;
set Methods;
if method='S%' then
do;
put name '=input(put(' name ',PctToMark.),8.);' ;
end;
run;

/* ----------------------------------------------------------*/
/* 4. convert % to marks using SAS code generated in step 3 */
data want;
set have;
%include tmpfile;
run;

proc print data=want;
run;

The important thing in SAS:
SAS executes a program from top to bottom and compiles and executes every run group (what ends with a "run") separately.

That makes it possible in step 3 to use a data _null_ step (_null_: no SAS data set will be created) to generate SAS code (as text) and write this text to a temporary file.

In step 4 this temporary file gets included (using a SAS macro language %include which is kind of pre-processing BEFORE the SAS language interpreter kicks in).
The SAS interpreter therefore will "see" the SAS code which got written to the temporary file in step 3, compile the code in this run group and then execute.

In step 2 a SAS format gets created. SAS formats and informats are used to write and read data (and are a fast way to convert data using kind of a lookup mechanism).

Hope this explanations help. Others might have used more correct terminology (I'm always a bit at war with this).

HTH
Patrick

Message was edited by: Patrick