If the argument is a
character string, %LENGTH returns the length of the string. If the
argument is a text expression, %LENGTH returns the length of the resolved
value. If the argument has a null value, %LENGTH returns 0.
Example: Returning String Lengths
The following statements find
the lengths of character strings and text expressions.
%let a=Happy;
%let b=Birthday;
%put The length of &a is %length(&a).;
%put The length of &b is %length(&b).;
%put The length of &a &b To You is %length(&a &b to you).;
When these statements
execute, the following is written to the SAS log:
The length of Happy is 5.
The length of Birthday is 8.
The length of Happy Birthday To You is 21.