Debugger in PC SAS - Help with Watch

[StaceyB]

I'm trying to use the debugger in PC SAS.  I enter "W V739" to watch a variable named V739.  The log shows that V739 changes it's value at the set statement.  This is not helpful.  The data is as is at the set statement.  How can the value change before any statements occur?  I need to figure out where within the data step the value is changing and was hoping the debugger would help since it's not clear.

Any tips on what I'm overlooking or what I should be doing with the debugger instead?

[andreas_lds]

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@StaceyB wrote:

I'm trying to use the debugger in PC SAS.  I enter "W V739" to watch a variable named V739.  The log shows that V739 changes it's value at the set statement.  This is not helpful.  The data is as is at the set statement.  How can the value change before any statements occur?  I need to figure out where within the data step the value is changing and was hoping the debugger would help since it's not clear.

...

Any tips on what I'm overlooking or what I should be doing with the debugger instead?

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What the debugger shows is exactly what happens: the variable is created in the pdv with missing value, then, with the first iteration the value is set to 7 - as reported by the debugger.

I never used the debugger in classic sas (aka display manager). If you need help understanding a data step, posting it seems to be a great idea.