How to select first few records to test implicit PROC SQL (corrected)

[kentlewan]

I am posting a (hopefully correct) response for "How to select first few records to test the Proc SQL", which has a non-working solution, and is locked:

https://communities.sas.com/t5/SAS-Programming/How-to-select-first-few-records-to-test-the-Proc-sql/...

@LAP @srinidelite @SimonJF  @ChrisNZ @Reeza @LinusH  the solution I came up with is:

Proc Sql outobs=10;
create table TESTRESULT as
select COL1, COL2
from YOURLIB.YOURTABLE

where YOURFILTERS;
quit;

If there is no error in the SQL statement, this will return 10 records and produce &syscc = 4 / &sqlrc = 4 (warning.) 

You need to code to check SYSCC/SQLRC, if you are checking for warnings or errors.

[ChrisNZ]

Using option OUTOBS= is the chosen solution. As I see it, this post brings no value to a topic closed 12 years ago.

[kentlewan]

Not disagreeing with solution provided in 2008. However, the experts provided no sample code to allow users to copy. Unclear where OUTOBS= is supposed to go. That is why I've reposted it.

[ChrisNZ]

> Unclear where OUTOBS= is supposed to go.

Really?

Here is first line of the chosen reply:

you can use inobs= or outobs= option on the PROC SQL statement.

[kentlewan]

What's clear to you might not be as clear to newbies.
Why not wait and see if this post gets any likes.