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A new warning message is produced when the length of a variable changes, with or without a LENGTH statement. The SYSRC is set to 4.

WARNING: Multiple lengths were specified for the variable VOLTYPE by input data set(s). This might cause truncation of data.

When the length of a variable is shortened, data truncation might occur.

SAS sessions that check the return code now return rc=4 when a LENGTH statement is used to change the length of character variables and some numeric variables.

Explanation

Placing a LENGTH statement immediately after the DATA statement is a standard practice for changing the length of a variable on the input data set(s).

Character variable length is set in the program data vector (PDV) by the length found in the first reference in the DATA step code.

Numeric variables are defined in the PDV as 8 bytes. The length of a numeric variable is determined by the last reference to the variable in the DATA step. The length is set when the variable is written to the output data set.

Solution details for SAS 9.2 TS2M0

Note: A new option has been implemented that turns this behavior on and off.

To get the same behavior as SAS 9.1.3, use the following:

   options varlenchk=nowarn; 

The new VARLENCHK option does not affect variables in the BY statement. For more information, see Note 37102: The VARLENCHK= system option excludes BY variables.

Solution details for SAS 9.2 TS1M0

The hot fix turns off the warning and does not set return code, restoring the SAS 9.1.3 behavior.

Click the Hot Fix tab in this note to access the hot fix.

Operating System and Release Information

/* character variables */
data new;
 set sashelp.class;
 length Name $5;
run;

data new2;
 length Name $5;
 set sashelp.class;
run;

/* numeric variables */
data seven; 
  length x 7; 
  x=7;
data before76smaller; 
  length x 6; 
  set seven;
data after76smaller; 
  set seven; 
  length x 6;
data before78larger; 
  length x 8; 
  set seven;
data after78larger;  
  set seven; 
  length x 8 ;

proc contents data= work._all_;
title inconsistent WARNING and unexpected LENGTH changes;
run;

A fix for SAS 9.2 (TS1M0) for this issue is available at:

A fix for SAS 9.2 (TS1M0) with Asian Language Support (DBCS) for this issue is available at: