Override space as delimiter in reading text files

[jonthiele]

When reading a text file using the INFILE statement, the documentation tells me that the delimiter between variables is a space.   However, I want to read an entire line of text that contains spaces - as a single variable.  I believe to override the space delimiter, I need to use the delimiter= option on the INFILE statement.   However, I can't seem to find the right character(s) to override the default.  I've used DLM=''   and DLM='0x0D'x   and DLM=CRLF   all without the result I need.  

My current program looks like this:

DATA TEMPFILE ;

ATTRIB TEMPLINE LENGTH = $200 ;

INFILE "C:\TEMP.TXT" DELIMITER = '0x0D'x ;   /*   or DELIMITER = ''   */ 

INPUT TEMPLINE ;

RUN ;  

where TEMP.TXT is:

FIRSTWORD SECONDWORD MOREWORDS

THISISAVERYLONG WORD

TEST!TEST@TEST# test

The program only grabs the data before the first space. I can't seem to override this.  I know I'm simply missing some option but I can't seem to find it reading the documentation or googling for examples.  Thanx in advance... 

[Tom · Accepted solution]

You don't need to mess with the delimiter to read a full line.

Just use formatted input.  Use the TRUNCOVER infile option to handle short lines. Use the $CHAR informat to preserve any leading spaces on the line.

Or just use the _INFILE_ automatic variable.

DATA TEMPFILE ;
  ATTRIB TEMPLINE LENGTH = $200 ;
  INFILE "C:\TEMP.TXT" TRUNCOVER;
  INPUT TEMPLINE $char200.;
RUN ;  

DATA TEMPFILE ;
  ATTRIB TEMPLINE LENGTH = $200 ;
  INFILE "C:\TEMP.TXT" ;
  INPUT ;
  TEMPLINE= _infile_;
RUN ;  

[jonthiele]

Thanx Tom for the very(!) quick reply. This worked perfectly and is exactly what I needed.
Appreciated!!!