Macro variables and column names

[bnsmithjr]

What if the %LET = a column name, but it doesn't define a specific row of dat? What value does it receive?
I'm not a SAS programmer, just trying to read it and convert it to SQL. The routine creates a table of values and does this:
PROC SORT DATA=CURNSN&cnt; BY IINSGM; RUN;
%LET newcol&cnt=IAC_&Q._&NUDCYCLE;
%LET nicd&cnt=NEWITMCD_&Q._&NUDCYCLE;
I have the &cnt value, the &Q value and the &NUDCYCLE value. Both LET values correspond to a column. Which row will provide the value? I'm guessing the last, or possibly the first?

[PaigeMiller]

It's not clear what you are trying to do. Please explain further what you are trying to do.

Macro variables are just text strings. In the first statement, if suppose &CNT = 2, for example, you are creating a macro variable named NEWCOL2 which has some value ... the value depends on the value of &Q and &NUDCYCLE, but it is a text string, and this macro variable value is unrelated to any particular data set or value within a data set. The value of &NEWCOL2 is simply a text string, outside of a data set.

[ErikLund_Jensen]

Hi @Florent 

The discussion forum SAS Macro Facility, Data Step and SAS Language Elements sounds interesting, but I haven't been able to find it anywhere in communities.sas.com. May I ask for directions to get there?

thanks

[Rick_SAS]

That forum existed in 2009, when this thread was started, but it has been merged into the SAS Programming community.

I understand that you are a new community member, so welcome! Here's a tip: Rather than add to a thread from 12 years ago, I encourage you to create a new thread for your question. You can link to the old post, if you think it has relevant information.