Size of array = number of observations in the data set -How to make that work?

[Kolobok]

Hi!

I am new to SAS, to please forgive if this is a rather elementary question.

I have a data set that has lets say 15 observations. I am able to count them using _N_ as well as proc sql count function.

I want to declare an array of the size N where N would be equal to the number of observations...

proc sql;

select count (col1) ;

from dataset1;

quit;

array (N) $;

Thank you in advance for all you help!

[CTorres · Accepted solution]

To do this you have to create a macro variable and the use it in the data step:

proc sql noprint;
   select Count(*) into :dim
   from sashelp.class;
quit;

%put &dim;

data _null_;
   /* statements.... */

   array my_array(&dim) $;
   /* more statements  ....  */ 

run;

Regards,

[Kolobok]

Thank you so much for the quick reply! This did the trick!

[Haikuo]

Obviously count(*) will be the most accurate approach, but it could take some time if doing it on a huge table. Then you could try to get the number of obs from Meta data instead of actually counting it on the fly:

1)

data _null_;

  call symputx('nobs', nobs);

stop;

set sashelp.class nobs=nobs;

run;

%put &nobs;

2)

proc sql;

  select nobs into :nobs from dictionary.tables where libname='SASHELP' AND MEMNAME='CLASS';QUIT;

%put &nobs;

Haikuo

[Kolobok]

Thank you so much for your reply Haikuo! I am just learning SAS and I am very happy I found this board!