FILEREF Function

Verifies whether a fileref has been assigned for the current SAS session.

Category:	External Files
See:	FILEREF Function: Windows in SAS Companion for Windows
	FILEREF Function: UNIX in SAS Companion for UNIX Environments
	FILEREF Function: z/OS in SAS Companion for z/OS

Syntax

FILEREF(fileref)

Required Argument

fileref

is a character constant, variable, or expression that specifies the fileref to be validated.

Range

1 to 8 characters

Details

A negative return code indicates that the fileref exists but the physical file associated with the fileref does not exist. A positive value indicates that the fileref is not assigned. A value of zero indicates that the fileref and external file both exist.

A fileref can be assigned to an external file by using the FILENAME statement or the FILENAME function.

Windows Specifics: Under some operating environments, filerefs can also be assigned by using system commands. For details, see the SAS documentation for your operating environment.

Examples

Example 1: Verifying That a Fileref Is Assigned

This example tests whether the fileref MYFILE is currently assigned to an external file. A system error message is issued if the fileref is not currently assigned:

%if %sysfunc(fileref(myfile))>0 %then
   %put MYFILE is not assigned;

Example 2: Verifying That Both a Fileref and a File Exist

This example tests for a zero value to determine whether both the fileref and the file exist:

%if %sysfunc(fileref(myfile)) ne 0 %then
   %put %sysfunc(sysmsg());