Phase 1: Compilation Phase
SAS enters the compilation phase when you click the running-man icon, which submits the code.
During the compilation phase, SAS checks the syntax of the data step.
Below is an example of a data step that contains a syntax error:
Data Profile;
Input Name $ Age;
Dline;
Khan 28
Natalia 32
Tommy 29
Lee 34
;
Run;In this example, the code DATALINES is misspelled as DLINE.
This is a syntax error that is identified in the compilation phase.
When encountering a syntax error, SAS writes an error message to the Log window:
ERROR: No DATALINES or INFILE statement.
SAS stops proceeding to the next phase. No data set is created.
✍️ Exam Tips
Two things happen when SAS encounters a syntax error:
- SAS writes an error message to the SAS log explaining the error.
- The data step stops executing. No data set is created.
? Sample Exam Question(s):
Question 1
Tips: when working on the sample exam question, move the tab to the window on the right-hand-side for better viewing.