Did you know that there is an option/data step option that causes notes to be treated as errors?

Datanull suggested the option to someone on the SAS Forum's discussions, yesterday, as a way to get SAS to not accept a data step with a first.whatever statement, but no by statement.

The solution: note2err

For example:

(from datanull) The undocumented DSOPTIONS may be useful.

options dsoptions=note2err; data test; set sashelp.class; if first.name then; run;

or (from Peter Crawford after crediting DN)

data your.data/note2err ; .... run ;

Art --------- On Thu, 2 Nov 2006 13:17:55 -0500, Michael Raithel <michaelraithel@WESTAT.COM> wrote:

>Dear SAS-L-ers, > >This is it! This is _YOUR_ chance to help make SAS-L history! You can >do so by joining me in making this the longest thread that has ever >existed in the storied history of this happy medium that we call: >SAS-L. In doing so, you will not only help to make SAS-L history, you >will also be an integral part of it! > >All that you have to do is contribute a single SAS tip to this thread. >It doesn't necessarily have to be something profound; just solid and >accurate. > >This opportunity is good for prolific posters, for occasional posters, >for once-in-a-blue-moon posters, and especially for lurkers who have >never posted before. Everybody on this list knows _SOMETHING_ about >SAS. So, pick your best tip and post it--even if you are sure that >others already know it. It could be that somebody doesn't know it, or >that you refresh somebody's memory. > >So, here is how this will work. You simply write: "Did you know that: >" and follow it up with your brief SAS tip. It couldn't be any easier, >could it? > >Okay, so I'll get the ball rolling. Here goes: > >Did you know that: you can increase the page size of SAS indexes when >they are first created by using the IBUFSIZE option? The default >IBUFSIZE is 4096 bytes. You can change that setting by specifying >IBUFSIZE=xxxxx. The author of a recent book on SAS indexes recommends >setting IBUFSIZE=32767 (the maximum) on all SAS platforms except for >z/OS, where he recommends setting it to 27648. (However, he presents >the caution that this has not been rigorously tested on SAS data sets of >varying sizes on _ALL_ of the operating systems that SAS is run on. So, >your mileage may vary). > >Hey, that was easy. Now, it is your turn! > >If you need more incentive to participate, then consider these inspiring >words: > >From this day to the ending of the world, >But we in it shall be remember'd; >We few, we happy few, we band of brothers (and sisters); >For he (or she) to-day that posts with me Shall be my brother (or >sister); > >I'll bet that did it. Okay, now get posting! > > >I hope that this suggestion proves helpful now, and in the future! > >Of course, all of these opinions and insights are my own, and do not >reflect those of my organization or my associates. All SAS code and/or >methodologies specified in this posting are for illustrative purposes >only and no warranty is stated or implied as to their accuracy or >applicability. People deciding to use information in this posting do so >at their own risk. > >+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ >Michael A. Raithel >"The man who wrote the book on performance" >E-mail: MichaelRaithel@westat.com > >Author: Tuning SAS Applications in the MVS Environment > >Author: Tuning SAS Applications in the OS/390 and z/OS Environments, >Second Edition >http://www.sas.com/apps/pubscat/bookdetails.jsp?catid=1&pc=58172 > >Author: The Complete Guide to SAS Indexes >http://www.sas.com/apps/pubscat/bookdetails.jsp?catid=1&pc=60409 > >+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ >Be great in act, as you have been in thought. - William Shakespeare >+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++