ERROR: A character operand was found in the %EVAL function or %IF condition where a numeric operand

[dcortell]

Hi all

A simple macro code here

%let suffix=rank_;

proc sql noprint;
	select cats('?"',name,'"n?') into :varr separated by ' ' 
	from dictionary.columns 
	where upcase(libname)=upcase('move') 
and upcase(memname)=upcase('rank')
and upcase(substr(name,1,
length("&suffix")))=upcase("&suffix");
quit;

Is generating an error which seems totally unrelated 

1     %studio_hide_wrapper;
MLOGIC(STUDIO_HIDE_WRAPPER):  Beginning execution.
MLOGIC(STUDIO_HIDE_WRAPPER):  %GLOBAL  _STUDIONOTES
MLOGIC(STUDIO_HIDE_WRAPPER):  %GLOBAL  _STUDIOSOURCE
MLOGIC(STUDIO_HIDE_WRAPPER):  %GLOBAL  _STUDIOSTIMER
SYMBOLGEN:  Macro variable _STUDIONOTES resolves to NOTES
MLOGIC(STUDIO_HIDE_WRAPPER):  %IF condition &_studionotes = is FALSE
ERROR: A character operand was found in the %EVAL function or %IF condition where a numeric operand is required. The condition was: 
       &_studiosource = 
ERROR: The macro STUDIO_HIDE_WRAPPER will stop executing.

The program is implemented in sas studio / viya. Any idea about what is generating the error?

[Kurt_Bremser]

Since the issue happens in a macro that looks like it is auto-called by SAS Studio, I suggest you restart your SAS Studio and try the code in a pristine session.

[Quentin]

Agree with @Kurt_Bremser . 

I'd be curious what 

%put >>&_studionotes<<

would write to the log.

Or maybe better, see what %put  _user_;  would report as the value of _studionotes.

[dcortell · Accepted solution]

Honestly speaking, I had to remove the first "?" in the cats function and the error did not show again. It seems it was related to how that "?" was maybe processed in the macro var creation

proc sql noprint ;
	select cats('"',name,'"n?') into :varr separated by ' ' 
	from dictionary.columns