If 0 then set statement

[V_R]

Hi All,

I have came across following expression.

IF 0 then set abc;

how does this if 0 then set statement works

request you to explain with examples

[Astounding · Accepted solution]

Well, 0 is false so the SET statement never executes.  You would get the same result by coding:

if 5=4 then set abc;

However, the statement still has an effect over the results of the DATA step.  SAS executes DATA steps in two phases.  During the first phase, it looks through all the statements, checks for syntax errors, and sets up storage space for all the variables that the DATA step will process.  Just the presence of the SET statement (even if it never executes) forces SAS to define all the variables that are part of ABC.  All the variable names, lengths, types, etc. will become part of the new data set being constructed.

[V_R]

Thanks a lot for quick response

[AndrewHowell]

The "if 0 then set" logic ensures that the code compiles (prepares variables, etc), but it never executes.

It's a very effective way of ensuring the structure of your target data set mimics the structure of your source data set, even if your source data set structure changes over time.