Chapter Contents

Previous

Next
SAS Language Reference: Dictionary

Introduction


Definition: What is Debugging?

Debugging is the process of removing logic errors from a program. Unlike syntax errors, logic errors do not stop a program from running. Instead, they cause the program to produce unexpected results. For example, if you create a DATA step that keeps track of inventory, and your program shows that you are out of stock but your warehouse is full, you have a logic error in your program.

To debug a DATA step, you could

While the SAS log can help you identify data errors, the DATA step debugger offers you an easier, interactive way to identify logic errors, and sometimes data errors, in DATA steps.


Definition: The DATA Step Debugger

The DATA step debugger is part of base SAS software and consists of windows and a group of commands. By issuing commands, you can execute DATA step statements one by one and pause to display the resulting variable values in a window. By observing the results that are displayed, you can determine where the logic error lies. Because the debugger is interactive, you can repeat the process of issuing commands and observing the results as many times as needed in a single debugging session. To invoke the debugger, add the DEBUG option to the DATA statement and execute the program.

The DATA step debugger enables you to perform the following tasks:


Chapter Contents

Previous

Next

Top of Page

Copyright 1999 by SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA. All rights reserved.