Date:         Tue, 18 Jun 1996 22:13:09 -0600
Reply-To:     Andrew James Llwellyn Cary <ajlcary@IX.NETCOM.COM>
Sender:       "SAS(r) Discussion" <SAS-L@UGA.CC.UGA.EDU>
From:         Andrew James Llwellyn Cary <ajlcary@IX.NETCOM.COM>
Organization: Cary Consulting Services
Subject:      Re: A question on proc sql.

YFLI@LANDRU.CPR.UPENN.EDU wrote:
>
> I have a clinical data set with 79 observations on some 100
> variables.  From this 79 by 100 data set, I want to select 50
> variables out, and form a new sub-data set.  One way to do this is to
> use a proc sql as follows;
>
>                      proc sql;
>                      create table new as
>                      select (list of 50 variables)
>                      from (data set name);
>                      quit;
>
> I am wondering if there is a simpler way to select the 50 variables
> in proc sql, instead of listing each single one  of them.
> Suppose the 50 variables' names have a sequential number attached
> to them,
>  e.g. the names of the 50 variables could be "x1,x2,x3,....,x52, x53".
>
>  I have tried to use "select x1-x53" in the proc sql, it does not work.
>
> Thanks.
>
> -Paul
 
Here's a cheap trick.
 
Define a macro called list to build your list.
 
%MACRO BUILDCDL(Prefix,start,stop);
    %DO I=&START %TO %eval(&STOP-1);
       &PREFIX&I,
    %END;
        &PREFIX&STOP
%MEND BUILDCDL;
 
and use it in your SQL;
 
PROC SQL;
   SELECT %BUILDCDL(Y,50,75) FROM test;
 
--
Andrew J. L. Cary                     | I Reckon that the Opinions
Senior Curmudgeon                     | expressed here DO represent
Cary Consulting Services, Newark, CA  | those of the management of
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