Functions and CALL Routines |
Returns the compile-time (allocated) size of the specified variable.
Category: |
Variable Information
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Restriction: |
Use only with the DATA step
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var
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specifies a variable that is expressed as
a scalar or as an array reference.
Restriction: |
You cannot use an
expression as an argument. |
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LENGTH examines the variable at run-time, trimming
trailing blanks to determine the length. VLENGTH returns a compile-time constant
value, which reflects the maximum length.
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LENGTHC returns the same value as VLENGTH, but LENGTHC can be
used in any calling environment and its argument can be any expression.
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VLENGTH returns the length of the specified variable.
VLENGTHX, however, evaluates the argument to determine the variable name.
The function then returns the compile-time size that is associated with that
variable name.
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VLENGTH does not accept an expression as an argument.
VLENGTHX accepts expressions, but the value of the specified expression cannot
denote an array reference.
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Related functions return the value of other variable
attributes, such as the variable name, informat, and format, among others.
For a list, see the "Variable Information" functions in Functions and CALL Routines by Category
.
SAS Statements |
Results |
length x $8;
x='abc';
y=vlength(x);
z=length(x);
put y=;
put z=;
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y=8
z=3
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