Date:         Tue, 24 Dec 1996 08:30:27 EDT
Reply-To:     rhoadsm1@WESTATPO.WESTAT.COM
Sender:       "SAS(r) Discussion" <SAS-L@UGA.CC.UGA.EDU>
From:         Mike Rhoads <rhoadsm1@WESTATPO.WESTAT.COM>
Subject:      Re[2]: putting x's btwn double dots (Summary)

Andrew Cary wrote:
The documentation I have is a Beta release of the documentation of the
Changes and Updates to the SAS MACRO FACILITY versions 6.07 and 6.12.
Some thoughtful little bird sent it to a co-worker to describe the use of
data step functions by the MACRO Facility OUTSIDE of the DATA step using
the %SYSFUNC
MACRO Function. This documented the use of the functions and the regular
expression functions RXPARSE, RXCHANGE, RXFIND.... only place I've ever
seen it.
<<end quote>>
 
Quite a few enhancements, including those Andrew mentions, were added in
"experimental" form to versions 6.11 and 6.09E.  Some, but not all, become
production in 6.12.  Draft documentation for all of these can be downloaded from
SI's web site at ftp://www.sas.com/techsup/download/base/macroenh.psl.
 
The regular expression functions are among those which are still experimental up
through 6.12, but they are very powerful and are ideal for this type of problem.
(Small plug -- I'm presenting a paper in the Coder's Corner section of SUGI in
March that describes this family of functions.)
 
     Mike Rhoads
     Westat
     RhoadsM1@Westat.com