Delete last row datastep

[Q1983]

data have;

input ln_no $ state $ loans amt;

datalines;

1123 AL 1 100

1123 AL 1 100

1123 AL 2 150

1233 AL 2 150

CA 3 50

;

run;

data want;

/*if last. then delete;run;*/

end = last;

if not last then output;

run;

I have tried several methods to delete the last row of the datastep.  How would I delete the last observation

[novinosrin]

did you miss the set statement?

data want;

 set have end = last;

if not last then output;

run;

[VDD · Accepted solution]

data have;
input ln_no : $ state : $ loans amt;
datalines;
1123 AL 1 100
1123 AL 1 100
1123 AL 2 150
1233 AL 2 150
1234 CA 3 50
;
run;
data want;
	set have end=last;
	if not last then output;

run;

[art297]

This question was cross posted on the SAS-L bulletin board. There, @data_null__ showed a method that is way more efficient, namely one that doesn't require reading and re-writing all of the records you want to keep:

data have;
  point=nobs;
  modify have nobs=nobs point=point;
  remove;
  stop;
run;

Art, CEO, AnalystFinder.com

[novinosrin]

Thank you @art297 . Just out of curiosity, do you still see much traffic on SAS-L?

[art297]

@novinosrin: No, the traffic there has been diminishing for a number of years now. However, I still look there every day as it doesn't require a lot of time and I still learn things that I otherwise would have missed.

Art, CEO, AnalystFinder.com