Referencing macro variable SAS Programming 1: Essentials lesson 5

[Magdalena56]

I have a question regarding the code in lesson 5. There is a macro variable created but when we reference it in the code, why don't we use the double quotation marks to do so ""?

As in: 

%let age=13;

proc print data=pg1.class_birthdate;

       where age="&age";

run;

Many thanks for your help with understanding this basics!

[Astounding · Accepted solution]

The solution has to do with SAS language, rather than macro language.  In SAS language, when AGE is a numeric variable this would be correct:

where age = 13;

This would be incorrect:

where age = "13";

So getting back to your question, use of quotes would be incorrect because it would generate an incorrect WHERE statement.