ASSIGN=

ASSIGN=

Generates SAS names and formats that are based on item names and data types

Optional statement

Applies to: access descriptor

Syntax
Details

Syntax

ASSIGN=|AN= YES|NO|Y|N;

Details

The ASSIGN= statement causes view descriptors to inherit the SAS variable names and formats of the parent access descriptor at the time that the access descriptor is created. That is, if ASSIGN=Y, the variable names generated for the access descriptor will be used in all derived view descriptors, regardless of the statements used in the view descriptor. If ASSIGN=NO (or N), which is the default value, you specify the SAS variable names and formats when you create a view descriptor from this access descriptor. You use the RENAME, FORMAT, INFORMAT, LENGTH, BYKEY, and UNIQUE statements to change the variable names and attributes during a descriptor's creation.

The ASSIGN= statement generates SAS variable names based on the first eight, non-blank characters of the item names and SAS variable attributes based on the items' data types. You can change the names and formats, but only in the access descriptor. The names saved in the access descriptor are the ones that will be used in the view descriptors.

When a new CREATE statement is entered, the ASSIGN= statement is reset to the default NO value.

AN is the alias for the ASSIGN statement.

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