VLENGTHX

VLENGTHX

Returns the compile-time (allocated) size for the value of the specified argument

Category: Variable Information

Syntax
Arguments
Comparisons
Examples
See Also

Syntax

VLENGTHX (expression)

Arguments

expression

specifies any SAS character expression that evaluates to a variable name.

Restriction:

The value of the specified expression cannot denote an array reference.

Comparisons

LENGTH examines the variable at run-time, trimming trailing blanks to determine the length. VLENGTHX, however, evaluates the argument to determine the variable name. The function then returns the compile-time size that is associated with that variable name.
VLENGTH returns the length of the specified variable. VLENGTHX returns the length for the value of the specified expression.
VLENGTH does not accept an expression as an argument. VLENGTHX accepts expressions, but the value of the specified expression cannot denote an array reference.
Related functions return the value of other variable attributes, such as the variable name, informat, format, among others. For a list, see the "Variable Information" functions in Functions and CALL Routines by Category .

Examples

SAS Statements Results

length x1 $8; x1='abc'; array vx(3) $6 vx1 vx2 vx3 ('x1' 'x2' 'x3'); y=vlengthx(vx(1)); z=length(x1); put y=; put z=;

y=8 z=3

See Also

SAS Statements	Results
length x1 $8; x1='abc'; array vx(3) $6 vx1 vx2 vx3 ('x1' 'x2' 'x3'); y=vlengthx(vx(1)); z=length(x1); put y=; put z=;	y=8 z=3

Functions:
"Variable Information" functions in Functions and CALL Routines by Category

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