macro

[HeatherNewton]

what happen when a macro is in a program and not executed, what does the compiler do when it goes pass it? probably nothing happens?

[japelin]

Macros are compiled at the compilation phase before execution.

So If syntax errors occur, it is logged.

[Kurt_Bremser]

The macro is compiled when the text is encountered in your code (so the validity of the macro statements is checked), but it is only executed when it is actually called (and after that, the resulting code is checked for valid "Base SAS" syntax).

[ballardw]

Another case where you could write code that does exactly that very easily, run the code then read the log. And see the compilation note.

Really hard to write a two line macro that does nothing and place it in any program you have.

%macro dummy();

%mend;