how to detect how many obs in one dataset

[Bal23]

Someone suggest:

proc sql noprint;
select count(*) into :observations from library.dataset;
quit;

Would anybody tell me what to do next? Thanks.

[PeterClemmensen]

What is your goal? What do you want to achieve?

[Bal23]

get the total number of obs

[Astounding · Accepted solution]

This creates a macro variable holding the count.  You could write it out:

%put &observations;

Or a DATA step could use it:

n_obs = &observations;

When the emoticon replacing your actual code, it's difficult to determine what the exact name of your macro variable is ... &observations, or &n_observations, or something similar.

[Reeza]

Try SASHELP.VTABLE or the corresponding dictionary table.

proc sql noprint;
select nobs into :nobs_class TRIMMED
from sashelp.vtable 
where libname='SASHELP' and memname='CLASS';
quit;

%put Number of obs = &nobs_class;