Date:         Thu, 30 Oct 2008 21:18:10 -0500
Reply-To:     "./ ADD NAME=Data _null_," <iebupdte@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       "SAS(r) Discussion" <SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From:         "./ ADD NAME=Data _null_," <iebupdte@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Test if a var is available inside data step?
Comments: To: Lou <lpogoda@hotmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <gedho4$k8b$1@aioe.org>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Absolutely, while I don't suppose there is anything that the CAT
family of functions can do that can't be done with a combination of
the concatenation operator, left, and trim functions, arrays, do loops
and the if statement, they make it much easier.

One feature I find particularly useful is the way the handle missing
values.  That combined with OF "SAS Variable List" makes life much
easier.

Look at some of the examples posted here, everyday.



On 10/30/08, Lou <lpogoda@hotmail.com> wrote:
> "Joe Matise" <snoopy369@GMAIL.COM> wrote in message
> news:b7a7fa630810301228p4bab9d8uc028ed65a21ee620@mail.gmail.com...
> > First off, there is a sas function that does this (CATS).
>
> Beyond assuring that a program written using version 9 will not run on an
> earlier release, does this function offer any increase in utility?
>