Russ,

There is a confusion as to when the LOCAL SYMBOL table is actually created .

For eg see this :

"A local symbol table is not created until a request is made to create a local variable. Macros that do not create local variables do not have a local table "

This under the Topic of "Understanding Local Symbol Tables" subsection "%LOCAL Statement " in Chapter 11- Creating and Using Macro Programs of SAS Certification Prep Guide: Advanced Programming for SAS 9, Fourth Edition

The above should actually be

"A local Symbol Table is created whenever a Macro is Called ie the compiled macro definition starts executing.If no Request is made to create a Local Macro variable then the Local Symbol Table is Empty".

The first Statement which according to me is wrong but it is present in all 4 editions of the SAS Prep Guide.

I am hoping you will clarify this.

Thanks.