How do I set a constant that I can use in file names for import and processes?

[millerm]

I'm writing a code that imports lots of CSVs from the same folder, and then names them corresponding to the folder name (as the files are date-specific). I've tried a couple of things but was hoping for some input. This is one of the initial pieces of code:

PROC IMPORT DATAFILE='X://Projects/SAS/CSVs/_2019_05_16/0_C.csv'
    REPLACE DBMS=CSV OUT=Data._2019_05_16_T0;
    GETNAMES=YES;
    guessingrows=max;
RUN;

Here's the sort of idea I was hoping to have, but obviously it's not working currently:

folder_reference=_2019_05_16;

proc import datafile='X://Projects/SAS/CSVs/'&folder_reference&'/0_C.csv'
    replace DMBS=CSV out=Data.folder_reference&_T0
    getnames=yes;
    guessingrows=max;
run;

Do I have to put it in a macro format? I've tried to keep macro usage to a minimum in this code as those less fluent in SAS need to use this code too.

Thanks

[PaigeMiller · Accepted solution]

Yes you could use macro language code, as the way you wrote the code will not work.

%let folder_reference=_2019_05_16;

proc import datafile="X://Projects/SAS/CSVs/&folder_reference/0_C.csv"
    replace DMBS=CSV out=Data.&folder_reference._T0
    getnames=yes;
    guessingrows=max;
run;

[millerm]

Didn't realise it was that easy, my attempts were massively overcomplicated... Thanks!