25243 - Finding an Error in Macro Variable Resolution in Open Code by Using the %PUT Statement

Sample 25243: Finding an Error in Macro Variable Resolution in Open Code by Using the %PUT Statement

This example shows how to use %PUT statements to display macro variable values and messages in the SAS log. These statements help identify problems in creating a macro variable.

This program creates several macro variables. It constructs a data set name and stores it in the macro variable DSNAME by concatenating the values of the two macro variables, MYLIB and MEMBERNAME. The %SYSFUNC macro function opens the data set, retrieves the time of the last update of the data set, and then formats that information for inclusion in a TITLE statement.

This code does not execute correctly. A second period is needed between &MYLIB and &MEMBERNAME in the %LET statement for DSNAME. The first period terminates the macro variable reference. A second period would be included as text in the macro variable value. With that second period missing, DSNAME does not resolve to the name of an existing data set. Therefore, none of the statements containing the %SYSFUNC macro function execute as expected.

Original Program

%let mylib=corplib;

%let membername=items;

%let dsname=&mylib.&membername;

%let dsid=%sysfunc(open(&dsname));

%let lastupdate=%sysfunc(attrn(&dsid,modte));

%let rc=%sysfunc(close(&dsid));

%let lastupdatefmt=%sysfunc(putn(&lastupdate,datetime15.));

title "Last Update: &lastupdatefmt";

The following SAS log shows errors, but without knowing the exact value of the macro variables, it is difficult to determine the source of the problem.

SAS Log

1132 %let mylib=corplib;

1133 %let membername=items;

1134 %let dsname=&mylib.&membername;

1135

1136 %let dsid=%sysfunc(open(&dsname));

1137 %let lastupdate=%sysfunc(attrn(&dsid,modte));

WARNING: Argument 1 to function ATTRN referenced by the %SYSFUNC or %QSYSFUNC macro function is missing or out of range.

NOTE: Mathematical operations could not be performed during %SYSFUNC function execution. The result of the operations have been set to a missing value.

1138 %let rc=%sysfunc(close(&dsid));

1139

1140 %let lastupdatefmt=%sysfunc(putn(&lastupdate,datetime15.))

1140! ;

1141

1142 title "Last Update: &lastupdatefmt";

The title resolves as follows:

: Last Update: .

Submitting the following %PUT statements displays the values assigned to the macro variables.

: %put Data Set Name: &dsname;; %put Data Set ID: &dsid;; %put Last Update: &lastupdate;; %put Formatted Last Update: &lastupdatefmt;

The following SAS log shows that the value of DSNAME is not the name of the data set that was supposed to be examined. The data set CORPLIBITEMS was not successfully opened either, since the value of DSID, the data set ID, is zero.

SAS Log

1147 %put Data Set Name: &dsname;
Data Set Name: corplibitems

1148 %put Data Set ID: &dsid;
Data Set ID: 0

1149 %put Last Update: &lastupdate;
Last Update: .

1150 %put Formatted Last Update: &lastupdatefmt;
Formatted Last Update: .

The revised %LET statement for DSNAME is

: %let dsname=&mylib..&membername;

The TITLE statement now resolves to the following:

: Last Update: 22MAY01:14:14

When the series of %PUT statements above are submitted again, the SAS log looks like the following.

SAS Log

1161 title "Last Update: &lastupdatefmt";

1162 %put Data Set ID: &dsid;
Data Set ID: 2

1163 %put Data Set Name: &dsname;
Data Set Name: corplib.items

1164 %put Last Update: &lastupdate;
Last Update: 1306160087

1165 %put Formatted Last Update: &lastupdatefmt;
Formatted Last Update: 22MAY01:14:14

About the Author
The author of Debugging SAS Programs: A Handbook of Tools and Techniques as well as SAS Macro Programming Made Easy, Michele Burlew is a self-employed SAS programmer with more than 20 years of experience. She specializes in designing and programming a variety of SAS applications, and she has expertise in using many SAS products. Michele's extensive experience in developing programs and working with end users gives her keen insight into the needs of SAS software users.

Her books are available from the online bookstore.

These sample files and code examples are provided by SAS Institute Inc. "as is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Recipients acknowledge and agree that SAS Institute shall not be liable for any damages whatsoever arising out of their use of this material. In addition, SAS Institute will provide no support for the materials contained herein.

Type:	Sample
Topic:	Internal Administration ==> BBU Non SAS Authors ==> Michele Burlew SAS Reference ==> Macro

Date Modified:	2005-10-08 03:03:26
Date Created:	2005-02-21 14:46:04

Product Family	Product	Host	SAS Release
			Starting	Ending
SAS System	Base SAS	All	6.12	n/a

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Sample 25243: Finding an Error in Macro Variable Resolution in Open Code by Using the %PUT Statement

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