Using the PAUSE statement in SAS/IML from SAS/STUDIO SAS OnDemand for Academics

[rbettinger]

I am running SAS/IML in SAS/Studio hosted by SAS OnDemand for Academics.

I want to do some real-time debugging of a SAS/IML module using the PAUSE and RESUME statements. The SAS/IML documentation indicates that a window will appear that will allow me to enter debugging statements and the RESUME command, which will transfer out of interactive mode back to processing mode.

I do not observe any window opening, so 1) I am missing something essential or 2) my understanding of how PAUSE/RESUME is incorrect or 3) the window into my mind needs a thorough scrubbing so I can see clearly into the process that I am debugging.

Would some kind soul point out the error(s) in my thought processes before I defenestrate myself?

TIA, Ross

[Patrick · Accepted solution]

You need to run IML in interactive mode. Below link explains how to do this using SAS Studio. 
Running interactive procedures in SAS Studio and SAS University Edition

A tip for debugging SAS/IML modules: The PAUSE statement

[rbettinger]

To Patrick and Rick, I say thank you.

I did not understand two things:

1. I must run SAS/Studio in interactive mode.
2. I must submit debugging statements into the code window and then submit them for execution.

These requirements were included in the documentation, but I did not put them together properly. Now that I understand how the PAUSE statement works, I will use it appropriately.

Ross

[Rick_SAS]

> The SAS/IML documentation indicates that a window will appear that will allow me to enter debugging statements and the RESUME command, which will transfer out of interactive mode back to processing mode.

No, I do not think this is a correct statement. The SAS/IML User's Guide documentation of the PAUSE statement does not say anything about a window that will appear. See SAS Help Center: PAUSE Statement and the "Error Control" subsections of SAS Help Center: Generating and Executing Statements

Also, be sure to run in interactive mode, as @Patrick says.

Perhaps in the late 2000s or early 2010s you saw a demo of the IML Workshop or SAS IML Studio application. That Window's-based client supported a window that popped up for the PUASE statement, but that application was discontinued a decade ago.