ACCESS Procedure Reference

LENGTH Statement (Optional)

Assigns a character width to a data item.

Applies to:

access descriptors and view descriptors

Syntax

LENGTH variable-identifier = item-width <...variable-identifier-n= item-width-n>;

Details

The LENGTH statement changes the item width in characters from the default width; the default item width is based on the database item's picture specification. The LENGTH statement enables SAS to handle S2K CHARACTER and TEXT items that overflow their widths (SAS does not permit variable-length character variables).

item-width can be a maximum of 200 characters.

variable-identifier can be one of the following:

the current SAS name for the item

Note: Any name on the left side of the equal sign (=) must be a SAS name, not a SYSTEM 2000 name. In an access descriptor, if the ASSIGN statement is omitted, you must enter the item number or component number (C-number) on the left side of the equal sign (=).
a positional equivalent, which is the number that represents the item, as specified in the LIST statement
the SYSTEM 2000 C-number of the database item.

You can use only the LENGTH statement with a view descriptor if ASSIGN= NO in the access descriptor from which the view descriptor is derived. When used for a view descriptor, the LENGTH statement automatically selects the re-formatted item. That is, if you change the length associated with an item, you do not have to issue a SELECT statement for that item. S2KLEN and LEN are aliases.

Note: You cannot specify a LENGTH statement for a record. [cautionend]

Top of Page