Scripting Guide - SAS

62 Scripting Tools Chapter 4
Debug Scripts
View Variables
The variables lists are populated as they appear in the script. Their values are updated every time the script
changes them. If you are uncertain why a variable has a particular value when you run your script, you can
watch its value at every step to see what happens.
You can also assign the variables whatever value you want. For example, if you are stepping through a For()
loop but are interested only in what happens starting with a particular iteration, you can assign your
iterating variable that value. Step through the first part of the loop that initializes the iteration variable and
then assign it the value that you want in the variable list at the bottom. Then when you step through, the
loop begins executing at that point.
Tips for Managing Variables
• If you have run several scripts using the global scope, you might want to clear or delete global variables.
This makes the list of variables in the Debugger shorter and relevant. Use the Delete Symbols()
function to do so. You can also close JMP and restart to clear the space.
• If your script uses so many variables that they are difficult to find and watch in the variable lists, add
watches for the specific variables in which you are interested.
Work with Watches
JMP preserves the Watch variables across sessions. So when you close and reopen JMP, the Watch variables
are still listed on the Watch tab.
Create a Watch
• On the Watch tab, click and enter the value in the window.
• In the Debugger, right-click the line that you want to watch, select Add Watch, and then enter the
variable name in the window.
• In the Debugger, place the cursor in or next to a variable name (or select the variable name), right-click,
and select Add Watch.
• On the Watch tab, enter the variable in an empty Variable field.
Modify a Watch
Do one of the following on the Watch tab to enter a new value:
• Select the watch and click .
• Click in the Variable field and enter a new value.
Delete Watches
Do one of the following on the Watch tab to delete watches:
• Select the watch and then click .