Macro resolving

[SASSLICK001]

Hello SAS Experts    

Can someone from SAS explain me whats going on with SAS in the following log message

SYMBOLGEN:  Macro variable ZZ resolves to 11

SYMBOLGEN:  Macro variable MDT11 resolves to 9

SYMBOLGEN:  Macro variable XX resolves to 5

MLOGIC(RPT):  %IF condition (5<=&&mdt&zz<=8 and 4<&xx<=8) is TRUE

how is 9<=8 in the above message?

[BrunoMueller · Accepted solution]

The Macro Language does not handle expressions like 4<&xx<=8, instead you have to code this using an AND, see also SAS(R) 9.4 Macro Language: Reference, Third Edition

[Astounding]

Macro language handles combinations such as 5 <= 9 <= 8 from left to right.  It resolves as if you had added parentheses:

(5 <= 9) <= 8

So 5 <= 9 resolves to either 0 (if false ) or 1 (if true), both of which are less than 8.

[SASSLICK001]

Thanks all for this insight..good to know!