Date:         Tue, 2 Jun 2009 10:52:47 -0700
Reply-To:     "Terjeson, Mark" <Mterjeson@RUSSELL.COM>
Sender:       "SAS(r) Discussion" <SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From:         "Terjeson, Mark" <Mterjeson@RUSSELL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Where Should It Stop?
In-Reply-To:  A<379A927A452F3D43A3C8705F4E67905F0B44993C71@EX05.net.ucsf.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Hi,

There will be many opinions, but I would
be hopeful that if a new capability is
added, that it be just that, "added".

While variable length strings is handy
for the "pre" work allowing for less
concentration for the programmer and
sometimes less coding for the programmer,
it doesn't necessarily continue to be handy
for the "post" work or the processing thereof.
Variable length string handling requires more
memory management overhead and therefore when
working with 50Million or 100Million rows
fixed length is usually much faster for a
variety of reasons. Storage as well also has
pros and cons for fixed vs variable length file
storage layouts for internal use and/or external
use. Each approach has pros and cons, some in
common that overlap, and some that are mutually
exclusive. So I would think many folks would
like to keep the benefits they currently have
when new "selectable" capabilities may be added.

$0.02,


Hope this is helpful.


Mark Terjeson
Investment Business Intelligence
Investment Management & Research
Russell Investments
253-439-2367


Russell
Global Leaders in Multi-Manager Investing








-----Original Message-----
From: SAS(r) Discussion [mailto:SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU] On Behalf Of
Anderson, James
Sent: Tuesday, June 02, 2009 10:35 AM
To: SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
Subject: Re: Where Should It Stop?

Chang,

The advantage of the variable length string is that it is more flexible
-- the variable holds whatever value you put in it.  Today it may be 10
characters, tomorrow 20. With variable length strings I write less code,
I have to think less and I get my hand slapped less. Most popular
languages today use variable length strings.

One recurring problem I have is merging 2 datasets where each is
imported from excel. The lengths of the by variables is determined by
the maximum lengths in each sheet, often different between sheets.  SAS
squawks at me.  I can either do more work and stop the squawk or ignore
the squawk.  Big waste of time and focus.

Jim

-----Original Message-----
From: Chang Chung [mailto:chang_y_chung@HOTMAIL.COM]
Sent: Tuesday, June 02, 2009 10:16 AM
To: SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU; Anderson, James
Subject: Re: Where Should It Stop?

On Tue, 2 Jun 2009 09:23:14 -0700, Anderson, James
<James.Anderson@UCSF.EDU>
wrote:
> Yes!

to this question by Ian:
>>> SAS character variables are a fixed length.  This fact permeates the
>>> entire language.  Should SI embark on rewriting the system to use
>>> variable length strings?
...
@Jim. Why? I have always thought that the main reason for using the
variable
length string type is because it saves memory. but the storage and
memory
are getting cheaper. If not this, then what's the reason(s) for using
the
var len str type? chang