January 25, 2002 Double Feature!  How Merge Really Works and Introduction to Arrays

Presented by Mr. Bob Virgile

Contact information for Mr. Virgile:

Robert Virgile
3 Rock Street
Woburn, MA  01801
(781) 938-0307
virgile@mediaone.net

Overview: How MERGE Really Works

Do your MERGEs produce unexpected results? Three basic DATA step concepts resolve the
complexities of MERGE: compile and execute, the Program Data Vector, and data movement
among various storage locations. These concepts apply to all DATA steps, not just those using
MERGE. This paper examines these key issues in general and then applies them specifically to the
MERGE process. Examples illustrate trickier aspects of MERGE as well as techniques to code
around the pitfalls.

How Merge Really Works (PDF format)

Overview: Introduction to Arrays

This paper explains the basics of defining and using an array. The information and examples will be
useful to the programmer who is either unfamiliar with or confused by arrays. The basics are
simple enough that most programmers can begin to successfully use arrays immediately after
reading this paper.

This paper illustrates the most common ARRAY statement syntax and usage. For all the details you
might ever want to know, see SAS Language reference guides.

Introduction to Arrays (PDF format)