%let aa="bddabc@new.dk" "bddabc@new.dk";
%put &aa;
data new;
zz=translate("&aa","@","$");
run;
NOTE: Line generated by the macro variable "AA".
1 ""bddabc@new.dk" "bddabc@new.dk"
---
216
-----
388
76
ERROR 216-185: The use of a BIT string constant is not allowed in this context.
ERROR 388-185: Expecting an arithmetic operator.
ERROR 76-322: Syntax error, statement will be ignored.
72 run;
Question : what does this error mean " The use of a BIT string constant is not allowed in this context."
Your error comes from having quotes in your macro variable:
%let aa="bddabc@new.dk" "bddabc@new.dk";
Look at what is generated:
data new;
zz=translate(""bddabc@new.dk" "bddabc@new.dk"","@","$");
run;
See the double quotes?
As always, I advise against putting lists of values in macro variables, data should go in datasets - clue is in the name. And really don't put commas or quotes and things in macro variables at any time.
Hello
Actually values in macro variable always will be in double quotes . I am working on some code which is working from long time and I cannot chnage that
Should we have other solution rather than removing double quotes
Thanks!!
You can overcome the quotes problem by using sysmget function:
%let aa="bddabc@new.dk" "bddabc@new.dk";
data _null_;
aa = symget('aa');
aa = translate(aa,'$','@');
put aa=;
run;
You posted next code:
data new;
zz=translate("&aa","@","$");
run;
you need change one line:
data new;
zz=translate(symget("&aa"),"@","$");
run;
By the way, your macro variable &aa contains already @
if you want to translate it into $ you should write:
zz=translate(symget("&aa"),"$","@");
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