what does &&& means in a macro in SAS?

[GN0001]

Hello team,

What does && do in a sas macro?

Thanks,

Blue Blue

[Kurt_Bremser]

Please show the exact use (complete statement).

[ballardw]

I am going to guess that you want to read the documentation for

Referencing Macro Variables Indirectly

not a three line subject.

Warning: this topic is a pathway to madness (i.e. code that is next to impossible to follow) if overused.

If you decide to experiment then

1) save your code before every execution

2) be prepared to create an unstable SAS session (depends on lots of factors)

3) be prepared for lots of "what the @#$%@# just happened"

[asuman · Accepted solution]

I did not get your question clearly but this might help you:

%let x=temp;
%let n=3;
%let x3=result;
%let temp3 = result2;

%put &x&n;
%put &&x&n;
%put &&&x&n;


The scanner reads from left to right.
&x&n : Macro variable X resolves first to temp and then N resolves to 3. Output : temp3

&&x&n : Two ampersands (&&) resolves to one ampersand (&) and scanner continues and then N resolves to 3 and then &x3 resolves to result. Output : result

&&&x&n : First two ampersands (&&) resolves to & and then X resolves to temp and then N resolves to 3. In last, &temp3 resolves to result2. Output : result2

[Cynthia_sas]

Hi:
My paper https://support.sas.com/resources/papers/proceedings13/120-2013.pdf (page 10-11 Figure 18) has an example of indirect reference and we cover the topic in our Macro Language 1 class.

Cynthia