DM02
Structure Approach Using MACRO Code
Contributed
Allen J. Blackburn
Bureau of Census, Foreign Trade Division
Abstract:
If you're still looking for another really clever way or trick to use that SAS macro, you don't really need this.
But, suppose for instance that you've got that semi small or semi large staff filled with bright journeymen, or novice SAS programmers. And su
ppose that you have to get that Balance Of Import and Export Trade Press Release produced this month and every month thereafter. Your monthly task should you decide to accept is to process millions of records arriving in text format from various government
agencies, and businesses. Each year new features, legislation, and programs require us to tweak and manipulate, yet maintain a basic data structure to incorporate yearly, even monthly changes throughout a seemingly large mountain of SAS programs.
Our divi
sion is charged with the maintenance of the integrity of a data structure across large numbers of SAS Datasteps, PROC Sorts, PROC Tabulates, and others including PROC Means.
The SAS MACRO allows us the ability to %INCLUDE code which is "EXTRA TO" or "OUTSI
DE" the basic code module. Our proc's code basically defines all text fields with name, length, and type to be "INPUT"ed to all programs. Control information also is created via breakpoint information to document numbers of inputs and outputs and other val
ue control information thereby enabling us to determine correctness and create permanent records. The SAS MACRO is transparent to all levels of programmer ability.
By using sameness or oneness of the approach in programming development, our programmers hav
e injected a bit of the 30 year-old Structured Programming concept. Further, it provides self documentation. Even further it provides one set of complete, tested, correct code over the entire program(mer) base.
Biography:
Allen is associated with the Bureau of Census, Foreign Trade Division.