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Functions and CALL Routines

FILEREF Function



Verifies whether a fileref has been assigned for the current SAS session.
Category: External Files
See: FILEREF Function under Windows UNIX OpenVMS z/OS

Syntax
Argument
Details
Examples
Example 1: Verifying That a Fileref Is Assigned
Example 2: Verifying That Both a Fileref and a File Exist
See Also

Syntax

FILEREF(fileref)


Argument

fileref

is a character constant, variable, or expression that specifies the fileref to be validated.

Range: 1 to 8 characters

Details

A negative return code indicates that the fileref exists but the physical file associated with the fileref does not exist. A positive value indicates that the fileref is not assigned. A value of zero indicates that the fileref and external file both exist.

A fileref can be assigned to an external file by using the FILENAME statement or the FILENAME function.

Operating Environment Information:   Under some operating environments, filerefs can also be assigned by using system commands. For details, see the SAS documentation for your operating environment.  [cautionend]


Examples


Example 1: Verifying That a Fileref Is Assigned

This example tests whether the fileref MYFILE is currently assigned to an external file. A system error message is issued if the fileref is not currently assigned:

%if %sysfunc(fileref(myfile))>0 %then
   %put MYFILE is not assigned;


Example 2: Verifying That Both a Fileref and a File Exist

This example tests for a zero value to determine whether both the fileref and the file exist:

%if %sysfunc(fileref(myfile)) ne 0 %then
   %put %sysfunc(sysmsg());


See Also

Functions:

FEXIST Function

FILEEXIST Function

FILENAME Function

SYSMSG Function

Statement:

FILENAME Statement

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