Four level SAS name (libref/cat/dataset/etc).

[iyerkaren]

Hi, I am confused about four level SAS names.

I have a program than runs proc report on a four level SAS name.

I read online four level SAS names are libref.catalog.entryname.entrytype.

I don't understand what entry name and type are, can anyone help?

Also, where does the dataset name come into it?

Thanks

[andreas_lds]

Please post the code using the four level name.

[iyerkaren]

Proc report data=c_sample.rwa_p&pp.&yy_live completerows completecols out=test (drop=_break_);

[iyerkaren]

Sorry I meant to type

c_sample.rwa_p&pp.&yy._live

[RW9]

What software are you running, this doesn't look like base SAS, perhap Enterprise Guide or something else?  Does the code work?  In base SAS it is always <library>.<dataset>

[Tom · Accepted solution]

The periods are part of the macro code, not part of the name.

c_sample.rwa_p&pp.&yy._live

&pp. will resolve to the value of the PP macro variable

&yy. will resolve to the value of the YY macro variable.

So this code 

%let PP=ABC ;
%let YY=15 ;
%put c_sample.rwa_p&pp.&yy._live ;

willl write 

c_sample.rwa_pABC15_live

to the log.  There is only one period in the resulting value. 

The period is needed on the &YY reference to mark where the end of the macro name is.  Otherwise the macro processor would look for a macro variable named YY_LIVE instead of YY.   It is not required on the reference to PP since the & following PP will signal the end of the macro variable name.

[iyerkaren]

Ah that's probably why I'm confused. I didn't realise the base SAS/enterprise guide difference. I am new to enterprise guide. Still, does anyone know what the code refers to? Thanks.

[ballardw]

That is not a 4 level name. Since there are macro variables involved (the && bits) the "." is a concatenator.

If there were two dots ".." in the code then the macro processor would resolve that to a . separating the names.

Something, possibly a prompt(?) or menu selection is building a name for you if you didn't create that code.

With c_sample.rwa_p&pp.&yy_live 

if there is something set so that a macro variable PP = DOG and a variable YY_LIVE=SHOE this would resolve to

c_sample.rwa_pDOGSHOE.  The first do does not have a possible macro variable before it but the second does.

[iyerkaren]

Thank you so much. No it's not my code I'm picking out data sources for work. Thanks!