Chapter Contents

Previous

Next

DELETE

Valid:	in a DATA step
Category:	Action
Type:	Executable

Without Arguments

When DELETE executes, the current observation is not written to a data set, and SAS returns immediately to the beginning of the DATA step for the next iteration.

Details

The DELETE statement is often used in a THEN clause of an IF-THEN statement or as part of a conditionally executed DO group.

Comparisons

• Use the DELETE statement when it is easier to specify a condition that excludes observations from the data set or when there is no need to continue processing the DATA step statements for the current observation.

• Use the subsetting IF statement when it is easier to specify a condition for including observations.

• Do not confuse the DROP statement with the DELETE statement. The DROP statement excludes variables from an output data set; the DELETE statement excludes observations.

Examples

Example 1: Using the DELETE Statement as Part of an IF-THEN Statement

When the value of LEAFWT is missing, the current observation is deleted:

if leafwt=. then delete;

Example 2: Using the DELETE Statement to Subset Raw Data

data topsales;
   infile file-specification;
   input region office product yrsales;
   if yrsales<100000 then delete;
run;

Statements: DO DROP IF, Subsetting IF-THEN/ELSE

Chapter Contents

Previous

Next

Top of Page

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