At least, it looks like a simple question, but I can't find the answer.
I want a program to be able to find out if the dataset in memory is
sorted. If possible, I also want it to be able to find out what the sort
variables are. But I don't want the dataset to get sorted in the process.
-tsset- saves the panel and time variables in macros, but it will
automatically resort the data. (This is documented. -tsreport- will also
automatically resort the data, but this isn't mentioned in the manual or
the online help.)
-desc- reports the sort variables on screen, at the end of the report.
Curiously, it will save them in a macro only when describing a dataset in
a file, e.g., -desc using filename-. It will not save the sort variables
in a macro when describing a dataset in memory.
I suspect this is an easy one and I've missed something, but it isn't for
lack of trying - I tried the manuals and the other usual places. I don't
want to resort to something hacky, like -capture-ing a command that
requires the data to be sorted and seeing if an error code is returned.
Can someone help?
Cheers,
Mark
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