Date:         Mon, 17 Jan 2000 12:31:55 -0500
Reply-To:     David Ward <dward@SASHELP.COM>
Sender:       "SAS(r) Discussion" <SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From:         David Ward <dward@SASHELP.COM>
Subject:      Strange values using SCL append function
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;

Hi all,
  I am using the append function like this (simplified code):

dsid=open('my dataset(where=(my where clause))','U');
rcf=fetch(dsid);
if not(attrn(dsid,'ANY')) then do;
  call putvarn(dsid,my numeric var);
  call putvarc(dsid,my character var);
  ...more vars...
  rc=append(dsid,'NOINIT');
end;
rc=close(dsid);

I am checking to see if a record exists in my data set that meets a certain criteria.  If it does not exist, I want to create it - seems simple enough.  The problem I'm having is that I am not specifically putting values into each of the variables in my data set.  I assumed that the variables I did not use a putvar on would be set to missing in my new record but they were not.  The numeric variables are being set to 0 and the character variables are being set to a string of null characters (ASCII code 00).

Why is this happening?  Do I have a fundamental misunderstanding of the DDV and how/when values are placed into it?

One more note: I'm not using a call set on the data set.

Thanks,
David Ward

[text/html]