SAS Macro Language: Reference

Introduction

An interface with the macro facility is not part of the macro processor but rather a SAS software feature that enables another portion of the SAS language to interact with the macro facility during execution. For example, a DATA step interface enables you to access macro variables from the DATA step. Macro facility interfaces are useful because, in general, macro processing happens before DATA step, SQL, SCL, or SAS/CONNECT execution, so the connection between the macro facility and the rest of the SAS System is not usually dynamic. But by using an interface to the macro facility, you can dynamically connect the macro facility to the rest of the SAS System.

Note: The %SYSFUNC and %QSYSFUNC macro functions enable you to use SAS language functions with the macro processor. The %SYSCALL macro statement enables you to use SAS language CALL routines with the macro processor. While these elements of the macro language are not considered true macro facility interfaces, they are discussed in this chapter. See Chapter 13, "Macro Language Dictionary," for more information on these macro language elements. [cautionend]

While this chapter includes some examples, you can find additional examples for each item in Chapter 13.

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