Date:         Sun, 30 Sep 2007 10:52:26 -0400
Reply-To:     Gerhard Hellriegel <gerhard.hellriegel@T-ONLINE.DE>
Sender:       "SAS(r) Discussion" <SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From:         Gerhard Hellriegel <gerhard.hellriegel@T-ONLINE.DE>
Subject:      Re: CREATE TABLE by defining columns and LENGTH = column modifier

Why do you need the LENGTH option?
For CHAR variable, you simply use

 char(40)

to define a 4-byte char and for numerics it does not make sense to restrict
the 8 bytes to anything shorter.
Gerhard


On Sun, 30 Sep 2007 07:20:48 -0700, Hari <excel_hari@YAHOO.COM> wrote:

>Hi,
>
>In SAS, when a new table (with no rows) is defined using CREATE TABLE
>statement by defining columns, then it doesnt allow the Length column
>modifier (only allowed in SELECT).
>
>"LENGTH=length
>specifies the length of the column. This column modifier is valid only
>in the context of a SELECT statement."
>
>Whats the logic behind the same?
>
>I expected all meta-data elements of a column to be defined using this
>feature.
>
>Any thoughts?
>
>hp