Date:         Tue, 7 Nov 2006 21:22:17 -0500
Reply-To:     SAS_learner <proccontents@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       "SAS(r) Discussion" <SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From:         SAS_learner <proccontents@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Reordering variables - redux
Comments: To: SASbum@aol.com
In-Reply-To:  <c2192a610611071820h2707d716t41e0c841614fdf0@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Well it is writing on the wall when toby said so

On 11/7/06, SAS_learner <proccontents@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I would have been on your side in your argument, Yes length or attrib or
> retain would do same Job for that matter SQL but I would Retain for
> convince, My argument is for length and attrib statements you need
> additional info but for Retain simply you would supply list ; here is what I
> am saying
>
> in length a b c $8( this extra ) same has the attrib statement
> attrib a length =
> but in the retain statement  simply say retain a b c ( irrespective nature
> of the variable )
>
> Well why we need to reorder most of the people here would agree on that,
> they would say reordering is Just not needed which is true when you are
> talking to SAS person but when you are dealing with Data management people
> or person who is not technical or sometimes I think it is CDISC standard  (
> macro I worked earlier ) to have variables in a certain order.
>
>
>
> On 11/7/06, SAS Bum <SASbum@aol.com> wrote:
> >
> > I lost an argument today about reordering variables (not that I have
> > ever
> > needed to do it).  I argued that, while there might be several ways
> > to  do it,
> > the safest way to do it is with the RETAIN statement or  possibly
> > SQL.  I was
> > nearly beaten to a pulp by someone who vehemently felt  that RETAIN,
> > LENGTH or
> > ATTRIB are equally acceptable.  In the spirit  of picking my battles, I
> > went
> > to lunch.
> >
> > But I would like to ask WHY reordering is done.  I presume  primarily
> > for the
> > presentation layer?
> >
> > Thanks.
> >
>
>