DROP a list of variables provided but a input file.

[IanW]

Hello,

I am trying to create a drop statment using a list of variables in a file eg
"a b c" to drop from a table with EG: "a b c d e f" output should only have var "d e f". Any help is appreciated.

//DRPFLE DD DISP=SHR,DSN=SAS.OUTPUT.DROPLIST
//TBLFLE DD DISP=SHR,DSN=SAS.OUTPUT.TABLE

DATA DRPVAR(KEEP=VARNAME);
INFILE THEFILE END=EOF MISSOVER ;
INPUT @1 VARNAME $CHAR8.
;

DATA DRPSTF (KEEP=VARLIST);
FORMAT VARLIST $32767.;
SET DRPVAR END=EOF;
VARLIST=CATS(' ',VARLIST,VARNAME);

DATA DRPIT;
SET STUFF DRPSTF (DROP=&VARLIST);

PROC PRINT;

[ballardw · Accepted solution]

If your data set DRPVAR contains names of variables to drop (not stated anywhere) easiest might be a macro variable made this way:

Proc sql noprint;
   select name into :varlist separated by ' '
   from DRPVAR
   ;
quit;

Then use

DATA DRPIT;
   SET STUFF DRPSTF (DROP=&VARLIST);
run;