Hi everyone, I have a question which has confused me for a while. As I know, there are two types of DATA step statements: compile time statements and execution time statements. Compile time statements run prior to execution time statements and KEEPand DROP statement are compile time statement. Please see an example below. Let's say I have a dataset containing a PT column. If the DROP statement runs first in the compile phase, which means PT column would be dropped first and thus the assignment statement cannot be executed. However, why the data step below can run without error? data want; set have; drop PT; PT2 = PT; run; Thank you in advance.
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