New Macro Features Added in SAS 9.3 and 9.4- Rick Langston, SAS

This presentation describes the new features added to the macro facility in SAS 9.3 and SAS 9.4. New features
described include the /READONLY option for macro variables, the %SYSMACEXIST macro function, the %PUT &= feature, and new automatic macro variables such as &SYSTIMEZONEOFFSET.

Finding Out About Formats and Their Attributes - Rick Langston, SAS

This paper discusses format enumeration (via the DICTIONARY.FORMATS view) and the new FMTINFO function that
gives information on a format, such as whether it is a date or currency format.

Don't Be a Litter Bug: Best Practices for Using Temporary Files in SAS - Rick Langston, SAS

This paper explains best practices for using temporary files in SAS® programs. These practices include using the TEMP access method, writing to the WORK directory, and ensuring that you leave no litter files behind. An additional special temporary file technique is described for mainframe users.

About the Presenter

Rick Langston is the manager of the Core Systems Department within the Platform R&D Division at SAS Institute. Rick's responsibilities include PROC FORMAT, format processing, date/time processing, licensing software, SAS/TOOLKIT Software, and managing the staff for supporting various core-level subsystems in the Base product. He has delivered keynotes on various aspects of SAS for many regional and local SAS user group conferences since 1994.

Rick is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has been a SAS user since 1977, and has been working at SAS Institute since 1980.