IN Operator with SAS Variables

[CurtisER]

Hello, I just wanted to be sure that I cannot use SAS variables in an IN operator in a Data Step?

Let's say that I have 3 SAS variables:

a = 'Mazda';
b = 'Kia';
c = 'Nissan';

if MAKE in (a, b, c);

I get a syntax error.

I know I can write as literals:

if MAKE in ('Mazda', 'Kia', 'Nissan');

I wanted to verify that using SAS variable is not possible in a DATA step.  Thanks.

[Tom]

Two work arounds.

The IN operator works with an ARRAY reference.

array makes a b c;
if make in makes ;

Use the WHICHC() function.

if whichc(make,of a b c) ;

[PaigeMiller]

The error message does not mention that you can use a variable, so you can't use a variable.