Using SAS/IML Software to Generate IML Statements

Making Operands More Flexible

Suppose that you want to write a program that prompts a user for the name of a data set. Unfortunately the USE, EDIT, and CREATE commands expect the data set name as a hardcoded operand rather than an indirect one. However, you can construct and execute a function that prompts the user for the data set name for a USE statement. Here is the code:

  
    /* prompt the user to give dsname for use statement */ 
    start flexible; 
       file log; 
       put 'What data set shall I use?'; 
       infile cards; 
       input dsname $; 
      call execute('use', dsname, ';'); 
    finish; 
    run flexible;
 

If you enter USER.A, the program generates and executes the following line:

  
    use user.a;