Any quoted identifier that exceeds the maximum allowed length for a quoted identifier (256 characters) could lead to an "access violation" message in the SAS^® log. A common user error that can result in a quoted identifier that exceeds 256 characters is incorrectly using double quotation marks instead of single quotation marks around a constant string value. The following error messages then appear:

The problem can be replicated by declaring a quoted variable that exceeds 256 characters. Here is an example of code that can cause this issue:

Click the Hot Fix tab in this note to access the hot fix for this issue for the SAS^® 9.4M7 (TS1M7) release.

Click the Hot Fix tab in this note for a link to instructions about accessing and applying the software update for SAS^® Viya^® 3.5.

The fixed release for this issue is SAS^® Viya^® 2021.2.2.

After you apply the hot fix, the invalid identifier is detected, and compilation is halted. The SAS log example below demonstrates this change:

Operating System and Release Information

Viya on Linux: An update for this issue is available for SAS Viya 3.5. For instructions on how to access and apply software updates, see the Updating Your SAS Viya software section in the SAS Viya 3.5 for Linux Deployment Guide at

A fix for this issue for SAS Threaded Kernel DS2 and FedSQL Language Processors 9.41_M5 is available at: