When did it become valid to use %IF in open code?

[Tom]

With SAS 9.4M5 I can now submit %IF statement in open code.

When did this become valid?  I cannot find a reference any where.

Note that it requires that you use a %DO/%END block as the statement to run in the %THEN or %ELSE clause.

 74         * test macro if in open code;
 75         %if (1=1) %then %do;
 76         proc print data=sashelp.class; run;
 
 NOTE: There were 19 observations read from the data set SASHELP.CLASS.
 NOTE: PROCEDURE PRINT used (Total process time):
       real time           0.05 seconds
       cpu time            0.05 seconds
       
 
 77         %end;
 78         %else %do; %put False; %end;
 79         
 80         * test macro do in open code ;
 81         %do i=1 %to 3 ;
 ERROR: The %DO statement is not valid in open code.
 82           %put &=i ;
 WARNING: Apparent symbolic reference I not resolved.
 i
 83         %end;
 ERROR: The %END statement is not valid in open code.

[Astounding]

Not working in SAS 9.4 TS1M2

But an exciting find nonetheless.

[PaigeMiller]

Not working in SAS 9.4 TS1M4

[utrocketeng]

not working for SAS9.4M4 😕

is working in SAS9.4M5 (y)

[Kurt_Bremser]

Quite obviously something new with 9.4M5. Checked it here on AIX.

[ChrisHemedinger]

Good find! 

Blog post here:

• Using %IF/%THEN%ELSE in SAS programs

Thanks to @Tom for the nudge.

[PaigeMiller · Accepted solution]

http://documentation.sas.com/?cdcId=pgmmvacdc&cdcVersion=9.4&docsetId=mcrolref&docsetTarget=n18fij8d...

[Kurt_Bremser]

I would have expected to see such an important change in the "What's new in SAS 9.4" guide. As of now, I couldn't find it there.

[PaigeMiller]

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@Kurt_Bremser wrote:

I would have expected to see such an important change in the "What's new in SAS 9.4" guide. As of now, I couldn't find it there.

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I agree. The fact that many experts in this thread were not aware of this change is surprising, in the sense that SAS did not publicize this as much as I think they should have.

What's next? IML language allowed in a data step? SQL language allowed in PROC GLM? Lights at Wrigley Field?

[LeonidBatkhan]

I would expect iterative %DO in open code.

[Monk]

Does the same work in SAS Enterprise Guide version 7.1?

[Tom]

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@Monk wrote:

Does the same work in SAS Enterprise Guide version 7.1?

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It depends on what version of SAS your session is using.  I am not sure if there is menu item in EG to find out, but you could just ask SAS to tell you by checking the SYSVLONG automatic macro variable.

744  %put &sysvlong;
9.04.01M5P091317

[Kurt_Bremser]

In EG, right-click on the opened server in the server list, select Properties, then Software.

[Kurt_Bremser]

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@Monk wrote:

Does the same work in SAS Enterprise Guide version 7.1?

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The EG version does not matter. You need SAS 9.4M5 in the backend.