Question

I’m trying to define an array using the following code:

data all_dates;
  array arr[*] _temporary_ (1 2 3 4 5);
run;

It gives me this message:

ERROR: The non-variable based array arr has been defined with zero elements.

Looking at the documentation examples I can’t see why this wouldn’t work. Am I doing something wrong or is this just not allowed? If it’s not allowed what is an alternative equivalent method?

Answer 1

Ah nevermind – the documentation actually does state:

You cannot use the asterisk with _TEMPORARY_ arrays or when you define a multidimensional array.

I guess I’ll have to count the number of elements I’ll need beforehand and then use:

data all_dates;
  array arr[*] a1-a5 (1 2 3 4 5);
  drop a1-a5;
run;