Scripting Guide - SAS

Chapter 8 Programming Methods 205
Advanced Scoping and Namespaces
New Namespace
nsref = New Namespace( , );
Creates a new namespace called nsname (a string expression) and returns a reference to the namespace. All
arguments are optional.
Nsname is the name of the namespace in the internal global list of namespace names. Nsname can be used as
the prefix in a scoped variable. The function returns a reference to the namespace, and can also be used as
the prefix in a scoped variable reference. If nsname is absent, the namespace is anonymous and is given a
unique name created by JMP. Show Namespace() shows all namespaces and their names, whether assigned
or anonymous.
Important: If you already have a namespace named nsname, it is replaced. This behavior means that while
you are developing your script, you can make your changes and re-run the script without having to clear or
delete your namespace. To avoid unintentional replacement, you can either use anonymous namespaces, or
test to see whether a particular namespace already exists:
If( !Namespace Exists( "nsname" ), New Namespace( "nsname" ) );
A list of named expressions is optional. The names are JMP variables that exist only within the namespace.
Note: The named expressions must be a comma-separated list. Separating the expressions with semi-colons
causes the list to be ignored.
These namespaces must be uniquely named to prevent collisions in situations where multiple user-defined
namespaces are being used. Using anonymous namespace names prevents collisions.
Namespace
nsref = Namespace( "nsname" | nsref);
Returns a namespace reference. The argument might be any of the following:
• a quoted string that contains a namespace
• a reference to a namespace
• a reference to an object that owns a namespace (such as a data table, a window, or a platform)
If nsname is a data table, then the namespace for the data table columns is returned.
Note: Namespace() returns a reference to a namespace that already exists. It does not create a new
namespace.
Is Namespace
b = Is Namespace( nsref );
Returns 1 (true) if nsref is a namespace or 0 (false) otherwise.