Output SAS dataset to text file

[mndatagirl]

I've written simple code to output a SAS dataset to a txt file. When I read the file back into SAS, there are incremental (mostly blank) records being added, from what I think are "goofy" characters that I can't see. How do I get SAS to ignore these characters when outputting the file? 

Output code: 

DATA _NULL_;
FILE "file:\output" delimiter='09'x DSD lrecl=60;
SET DATA;

PUT
@1 VAR1 $40.
@41 VAR2 10.
@51 VAR3 10.
;

RUN;

[ballardw]

Please show the code you are using to read the data back in. I suspect the issue is going to be with either a missing or incorrect infile option or possible an extra option that is not needed.

You may need to provide a tad more detail than "goofy" and some example data from your Set Data; statement may help as well.

Also which operating system are you running?

With windows your file statment generates this error:

ERROR: A component of D:\Data\WORK\SAS Temporary Files\_TD9908\file:\output is not a directory.

likely from the FILE: bit.