SAS 9.1 Language Reference Dictionary, Volumes 1, 2 and 3

Stops processing the current loop and resumes with the next statement in sequence

Valid: in a DATA step

Category: Control

Type: Executable

Syntax

LEAVE ;

Without Arguments

The LEAVE statement stops the processing of the current DO loop or SELECT group and continues DATA step processing with the next statement following the DO loop or SELECT group .

Details

You can use the LEAVE statement to exit a DO loop or SELECT group prematurely based on a condition.

Comparisons

• The LEAVE statement causes processing of the current loop to end. The CONTINUE statement stops the processing of the current iteration of a loop and resumes with the next iteration.

• You can use the LEAVE statement in a DO loop or in a SELECT group. You can use the CONTINUE statement only in a DO loop.

Examples

This DATA step demonstrates using the LEAVE statement to stop the processing of a DO loop under a given condition. In this example, the IF/THEN statement checks the value of BONUS. When the value of BONUS reaches 500, the maximum amount allowed, the LEAVE statement stops the processing of the DO loop.

data week; input name $ idno start_yr status $ dept $; bonus=0; do year= start_yr to 1991; if bonus ge 500 then leave; bonus+50; end; datalines; Jones 9011 1990 PT PUB Thomas 876 1976 PT HR Barnes 7899 1991 FT TECH Harrell 1250 1975 FT HR Richards 1002 1990 FT DEV Kelly 85 1981 PT PUB Stone 091 1990 PT MAIT ;