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.

For more information, see VARLENCHK= System Option in the SAS(R) 9.2 Language Reference: Dictionary, Fourth Edition.

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

Product Family	Product	System	SAS Release
			Reported	Fixed*
SAS System	Base SAS	z/OS	9.2 TS1M0	9.2 TS2M0
		Microsoft® Windows® for 64-Bit Itanium-based Systems	9.2 TS1M0	9.2 TS2M0
		Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Datacenter 64-bit Edition	9.2 TS1M0	9.2 TS2M0
		Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Enterprise 64-bit Edition	9.2 TS1M0	9.2 TS2M0
		Microsoft Windows XP 64-bit Edition	9.2 TS1M0	9.2 TS2M0
		Microsoft® Windows® for x64	9.2 TS1M0	9.2 TS2M0
		Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server	9.2 TS1M0
		Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server	9.2 TS1M0
		Microsoft Windows 2000 Server	9.2 TS1M0
		Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional	9.2 TS1M0
		Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Datacenter Edition	9.2 TS1M0	9.2 TS2M0
		Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition	9.2 TS1M0	9.2 TS2M0
		Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition	9.2 TS1M0	9.2 TS2M0
		Microsoft Windows XP Professional	9.2 TS1M0	9.2 TS2M0
		Windows Vista	9.2 TS1M0	9.2 TS2M0
		64-bit Enabled AIX	9.2 TS1M0	9.2 TS2M0
		64-bit Enabled HP-UX	9.2 TS1M0	9.2 TS2M0
		64-bit Enabled Solaris	9.2 TS1M0	9.2 TS2M0
		HP-UX IPF	9.2 TS1M0	9.2 TS2M0
		Linux	9.2 TS1M0	9.2 TS2M0
		Linux for x64	9.2 TS1M0	9.2 TS2M0
		OpenVMS on HP Integrity	9.2 TS1M0	9.2 TS2M0
		Solaris for x64	9.2 TS1M0	9.2 TS2M0

* For software releases that are not yet generally available, the Fixed Release is the software release in which the problem is planned to be fixed.

The sample code can be used to verify the behavior of the warning. Modify the code to suit your operating system. Examine the results in your SAS log.

---

/* 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:

http://www.sas.com/techsup/download/hotfix/f9_sbcs_prod_list.html#031850

---

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

http://www.sas.com/techsup/download/hotfix/f9_dbcs_prod_list.html#031850

---

A LENGTH statement to change the length of an existing data set variable produces a warning message in the SAS log and sets the return code to 4.

Type:	Problem Note
Priority:	high
Topic:	SAS Reference ==> Statements ==> Information ==> LENGTH

Date Modified:	2011-08-12 14:51:36
Date Created:	2008-04-18 17:07:11