VINFORMAT Function

Arguments

var

specifies a variable that is expressed as a scalar or as an array reference.

Restriction:

You cannot use an expression as an argument.

If the VINFORMAT function returns a value to a variable that has not yet been assigned a length, by default the variable is assigned a length of 200.

VINFORMAT returns the complete informat name, which includes the width and the period (for example, $CHAR20.).

• VINFORMAT returns the informat that is associated with the specified variable. VINFORMATX, however, evaluates the argument to determine the variable name. The function then returns the informat that is associated with that variable name.

• VINFORMAT does not accept an expression as an argument. VINFORMATX accepts expressions, but the value of the specified expression cannot denote an array reference.

• Related functions return the value of other variable attributes, such as the variable name, type, and length, among others. For a list, see the "Variable Information" functions in Functions and CALL Routines by Category .

informat x $char6.;
input x;
y=vinformat(x);
put y=;

y=$CHAR6.

Copyright © 2011 by SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA. All rights reserved.