Date:         Thu, 17 Nov 2005 20:15:53 -0500
Reply-To:     Somebody help me <mehedisas@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       "SAS(r) Discussion" <SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From:         Somebody help me <mehedisas@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      %upcase(&aedata.) and ae_&aedata. ?

I am trying to understand a program is done by someone who is not around.
So Please refer to the following codes( a part of the program):


%macro checkae(aedata);
   %if %upcase(&aedata.)=AE %then %do;
       PROC SORT data=adverse(keep=patient atstop) out=ae;
          by patient;
       run;
   %end;
   %else %do;
       PROC SORT data=ae_&aedata.(keep=patient atstop) out=ae;
          by patient ;
       run;
   %end;

%mend checkae;
%checkae(AE);


Can you please explain %upcase(&aedata.)  and   ae_&aedata. here?
I understand what %upcase does but not getting why there is '.'after the
macro variable ?
again what exactly it means by ' ae_&aedata ' in the line PROC SORT
data=ae_&aedata.(keep=patient atstop) out=ae;?