Delete various datasets in one step

[Tim_sas_]

Hello,

I have a problem to delete some datasets in one step. I have various datasets in my work library with the same name and different numbers (e.g. data_1, data_2, data_3, ...). I would like to delete all datasets which start with the term "data".

I have already tried to use PROC Delete, but something is missing. 

I would be very grateful if someone has an idea.

Many thanks,

Tim

Proc Delete Data= Data: ;
Run;

[yabwon]

According to the doc. for proc delete:

DATA= SAS-file(s)

specifies one or more SAS files that you want to delete.

Note: You can also use a numbered range list. For more information, see Data Set Lists in SAS Language Reference: Concepts. You cannot use a colon list.

Bart

[Reeza]

Just a caveat with data set lists using a colon. You cannot use them in a DATA= location but you can in other places.

FYI unfortunately the link you're including doesn't seem to work?

---

@yabwon wrote:

According to the doc. for proc delete:

DATA= SAS-file(s)

specifies one or more SAS files that you want to delete.

Note: You can also use a numbered range list. For more information, see Data Set Lists in SAS Language Reference: Concepts. You cannot use a colon list.

Bart

---

[PeterClemmensen]

Do this

data data_1; a=1; run;
data data_2; a=1; run;
data data_3; a=1; run;

proc datasets library=work nolist;
   delete data_:;
quit;

[yabwon]

Maybe try like this:

data data_1 data_2 data_3 data_1000;
  set SASHELP.CLASS;  
run;

proc sql noprint;
  select catx(".", libname, memname)
  into :dataset_list separated by " "
  from dictionary.tables
  where memname like 'DATA%'
  ;
quit;

%put *&dataset_list.*;

proc delete data = &dataset_list.;
run;

Bart

[Tom]

PROC DELETE only allows numeric lists, not the colon wildcard suffix. 

If there are gaps in the numbers or don't know the exact range you could try just using a larger number than you expect to have.

proc delete data=data_1-data_100; run;

But you will get warning message for the datasets that do not exist.

You could instead use PROC DATASETS as it does allow the colon wildcard.

Example:

1050  data data1 data2 data3 data100 ;
1051  run;

NOTE: The data set WORK.DATA1 has 1 observations and 0 variables.
NOTE: The data set WORK.DATA2 has 1 observations and 0 variables.
NOTE: The data set WORK.DATA3 has 1 observations and 0 variables.
NOTE: The data set WORK.DATA100 has 1 observations and 0 variables.
NOTE: DATA statement used (Total process time):
      real time           0.02 seconds
      cpu time            0.01 seconds


1052  proc datasets nolist nowarn lib=work;
1053      delete data: ;
1054  run;

NOTE: Deleting WORK.DATA1 (memtype=DATA).
NOTE: Deleting WORK.DATA100 (memtype=DATA).
NOTE: Deleting WORK.DATA2 (memtype=DATA).
NOTE: Deleting WORK.DATA3 (memtype=DATA).
1055  quit;