Better programming practice tips.
1. Header Description: It is
very important to have a descriptive header inside a SAS program.
********************************************************************;
Program Name : name.sas
Author
: Sarath Annapareddy
Date last Modified :
Apr 02 2010 :
Purpose/Description:
Macro to add titles and footnotes
Input Files
:
Output Files
:
Macros
Used :
Notes
:
*********************************************************************;
2. Use proper indentation:
New step (e.g. data step, proc sort, proc sql, etc) must always start with no
indentation, first line in any step must have one tab indentation line and
after if (or similar) statements we must have one additional tab indentation
before the next if (or similar) statements.
3. UPCASE: Always use
uppercase variable name and uppercase dataset names (including temporary
datasets created in the program)
4. Dataset Names: Never use
same dataset name for input and output datasets.
5. Comments: Comments are
used to make your program easier to read and edit. Use the comment statement
anywhere in a SAS program to document the purpose of the program. Nothing is
more frustrating as to return to a program written months ago and not being
able to figure out what you did and why you did it. Also, if someone else needs
to look over your program, the task is made much easier, if the code is
commented.
6. Create a Macro: If you
think code will be used in multiple programs, create a macro. Do not try to do
multiple things in one macro; chances are if something is broken in the macro,
other programmer will not use that macro in their program.
7. Give some meaningful name to the
temporary datasets.
Program Name : name.sas
