How to detect how many observations in a dataset (or if it is empty), in SAS?

Question

I wonder if there is a way of detecting whether a data set is empty, i.e. it has no observations. Or in another saying, how to get the number of observations in a specific data set. So that I can write an If statement to set some conditions. Thanks.

Answer 1

Add NOBS= to your SET statement. Here is an example using the NOBS= and _N_ variables:

data raa;

x=4; output;

x=5; output;

run;

data raa2;

set raa nobs=tot_obs;

* additional code here;

current_obs=_N_; /* current record number */

total_obs=tot_obs; /* total number of records */

run;