On Thu, 23 Aug 2007 10:07:55 -0400, Donald Burklo <dwburklo@COPELAND-CORP.COM> wrote:

>Howard, > >Yes, that was the intention. I am picking up a variable that is causing me >a problem with a dataset merge. I was curious if there was a function to >check for the variable and I could drop it prior to the merge. This is a >rather large application and I have not been able to isolate where it is >being added to the dataset. > >Thanks, > >Don

How about using KEEP instead, to enumerate the variables which you *do* need?

If you cannot conveniently provide either a DROP or KEEP list, your application probably does need some additional controls.

> > >On Wed, 22 Aug 2007 22:03:56 -0400, Howard Schreier <hs AT dc-sug DOT org> ><nospam@HOWLES.COM> wrote: > >>On Wed, 22 Aug 2007 16:17:53 -0400, Donald Burklo >><dwburklo@COPELAND-CORP.COM> wrote: >> >>>Is there a function to check a dataset for a specific variable prior to a >>>drop statement? >> >>You cannot make a DROP conditional, if that's what you are contemplating. >> >>Can you create a little example to relate your problem?