length statement

[dataMart87]

Is there a difference between the two LENGTH statements below?

/*1st LENGTH statement*/
length myvar $ 12;

/*2nd LENGTH statement*/
length myvar $12.;

[Astounding · Accepted solution]

They both do the same thing.  Spacing is flexible in most places in SAS programs, so the space after the dollar sign is optional.  However, the LENGTH statement does not require a dot after the length (but the FORMAT statement does).  So adding the dot doesn't hurt anything but it makes you appear less knowledgeable ... it announces that you thought the dot was required when it is not.

[dataMart87]

Thank you.