Data Step Tip: Trailing @ For Efficiency

Use the trailing "@" with input statements to avoid inputting records you wish to eliminate.

 Instead of: 

DATA MIDWEST;

INFILE ACCOUNTS;

INPUT @1 NAME $19.

@20 STATE $2.

@24 ACCTNBR $10.

@35 BALANCE 8.;

IF STATE IN ('WI','MN','IA');

RUN;

Better:

DATA MIDWEST;

INFILE ACCOUNTS;

INPUT @20 STATE $2. @;

IF STATE IN ('WI','MN','IA') THEN

INPUT @1 NAME $19.

@24 ACCTNBR $10.

@35 BALANCE 8.;

RUN;

• More Efficient

• Different Layouts in One File