Was there any difference in run time between invoking a Original source code of a macro Vs compiled

[THALLA_REDDY]

Hi Team,

We have installed SAS Enterprise Guide 8.3 newly and trying to add few macros into permanent library. Just want to know if there is any run time difference between calling a Original source code of a macro Vs Compiled Source? If so which is the best option. Here we don't have any changes to these macros in future.

thanks,

Thalla

[Kurt_Bremser · Accepted solution]

Always keep your macros as source code; the compilation takes fractions of a second and happens only once per session.

[THALLA_REDDY]

Thanks for your response.

So, as per your statement compilation will happens only once. Is that means while opening the session in SAS EG it will happen and exist till we end the session ?

[Kurt_Bremser]

A macro in the autocall library is compiled from the source upon being called, and is then stored in WORK.SASMACR.CATALOG. Since that whole library is deleted upon graceful termination of a SAS session, the macro is again compiled when used in the next session.

Care must be taken when the source of an autocall macro is changed, as the compiled macro will still be used. In that case, you either have to restart the SAS session, or load the macro code and execute the macro definition manually.