Date:         Wed, 23 Sep 1998 14:36:41 -0400
Reply-To:     "Ashiru, Babatunde" <AshiruB@WHITEOAKSEMI.COM>
Sender:       "SAS(r) Discussion" <SAS-L@UGA.CC.UGA.EDU>
From:         "Ashiru, Babatunde" <AshiruB@WHITEOAKSEMI.COM>
Subject:      Update Statement dilemma?
Comments: cc: "Broach, Larry" <BroachL@whiteoaksemi.com>,
          "Sircar, Hena" <SircarH@whiteoaksemi.com>,
          "Lammering, Herbert" <LammeriH@whiteoaksemi.com>,
          "Mueller, Uwe" <MuellerU@whiteoaksemi.com>

Hi, SAS-Lers,
 
I recently implemented the Update Statement to dynamically add new
variable(s) to a resulting data set based on the combination of a master and
transaction data sets, i.e.,
 
Data     libref.result;
Update libref.master work.transact;
By        IndexVar;
 
Note:   master data set is fixed at a given point while the transaction data
set is dynamically structured by the number of
Variables defined.  Transact data set could have fewer or more variables
relative to the master data set.
 
Question:  Why is it that the result data set is sensitive to the transact
data set such that the number of variables available
                in the result set is a direct function of the variables in
transact set?   Increasing/decreasing number of variables in the   transact
set is reflected in the result set.  Incrementing number of variables in the
result data set is pretty much anticipated, however, I am befuddled with the
fact that Update statement actually reduces number of variables in the
result set if and when the transact set has fewer variables.  Can anybody
tell me what am doing wrong?
 
Thanks in advance.
 
BRA