How to call a function that exists a value in a variable.

[K_HARI__PRASAD]

Hi,

data data1;

input val_pas $20. ;

infile datalines truncover;

datalines;

substring\_'

;

run;

data data2;

input func $60. ;

infile datalines truncover;

datalines;

prxchange('s/[^0-9a-zA-Z.&_,\\\-\''\[\]\(\)\s]/^/', -1, val_pas)

;

run;

data output;

set data1 data2;

out_value=func;

run;

******************************************************************************

I want to call prxchange function and assign the out put to variable "out_value". For this function  "val_pas" is one of the parameter(data1=Source text for regular expresion matching).

Is there any way to execute the function ?

Many thanks.

Regards

Hari.

[RW9 · Accepted solution]

Yes, you can create code using the call execute function:

data _null_;
  set data2;
  call execute('data output; set data1; out_value='||strip(func)||'; run;');
run;

You will need to read up on the call execute function, it is very powerfull, but you do need to know how to use it.

[K_HARI__PRASAD]

Hi Super User,

Thanks for your answer. But I am getting an unknown error as below.

+ data output; set data1; out_value=prxchange('s/[^0-9a-zA-Z.&_,\-\''\[\]\(\)\s]/^/', -1, val_pa; run;
_
79

ERROR 79-322: Expecting a ).

[Astounding]

That error is related to a flaw in your original program.  The length of $60 is not long enough to hold the value that you are trying to read in.  Correct the length and try again.

[K_HARI__PRASAD]

Hi RW9,

Could you please provide some links to read about Call Execute function.

[RW9]

Well, top three google responses:

http://support.sas.com/documentation/cdl/en/mcrolref/61885/HTML/default/viewer.htm#a000543697.htm

http://www2.sas.com/proceedings/sugi22/CODERS/PAPER70.PDF

http://www2.sas.com/proceedings/sugi22/CODERS/PAPER86.PDF

Once you understand the concept its pretty simple and powerful.  Basically the call execute takes a string, which inserted into the code stream after the datastep executing has finished.  That text string will be considered code and compiled as any other code.

[K_HARI__PRASAD]

Thank you so much 🙂

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[data_null__]

While the PRXCHANGE function does need to be compiled (i.e. can't be an expression) the arguments to the function can be expressions.  

http://support.sas.com/documentation/cdl/en/lefunctionsref/67960/HTML/default/viewer.htm#n0r8h2fa8dj...

[Astounding]

I believe that this is one of the uses for the RESOLVE function:

out_value = resolve(func);

It's untested, but I think it does what you're asking.