SAS 9.4 Language Reference, 6th Edition

Definitions for Array Processing

array

is a temporary grouping of SAS variables that are arranged in a particular order and

identified by an array-name. The array exists only for the duration of the current

DATA step. The array-name distinguishes it from any other arrays in the same DATA

step; it is not a variable.

Note: Arrays in SAS are different from those in many other programming

languages. In SAS, an array is not a data structure. An array is just a convenient

way of temporarily identifying a group of variables.

array processing

is a method that enables you to perform the same tasks for a series of related

variables.

array reference

is a method to reference the elements of an array.

one-dimensional array

is a simple grouping of variables that, when processed, results in output that can be

represented in simple row format.

multidimensional array

is a more complex grouping of variables that, when processed, results in output that

could have two or more dimensions, such as columns and rows.

Basic array processing involves the following steps:

• grouping variables into arrays

• selecting a current variable for an action

• repeating an action

A Conceptual View of Arrays

One-Dimensional Array

The following figure is a conceptual representation of two one-dimensional arrays, Misc

and Mday.

Figure 25.1 One-Dimensional Array

Variables

1

mi s c 1

Arrays

MI S C

2

mi s c 2

3

mi s c 3

4

mi s c 4

5

mi s c 5

6

mi s c 6

7

mi s c 7

8

mi s c 8

1

md a y 1

MDAY

2

md a y 2

3

md a y 3

4

md a y 4

5

md a y 5

6

md a y 6

7

md a y 7

566 Chapter 25 • Array Processing