&SKIP STATEMENT EXEC statement Use the &SKIP control statement to cause a specified number of lines in the EXEC file to be skipped. The format of the &SKIP control statement is: +-----------+-----------------------------------------------------------------+ | &SKIP | [1|n] | +-----------+-----------------------------------------------------------------+ where: n specifies the number of lines to be skipped: o If n is greater than 0, the specified number of lines are skipped. Execution continues on the line following the skipped lines. If the value of n surpasses the number of lines remaining in the file, the EXEC terminates processing. o If n is equal to 0, no lines are skipped, and execution continues with the next line. o If n is less than 0, execution continues with the line that is n lines above the current line. An attempt to skip beyond the beginning of the file results in an error exit from the EXEC. o The n may be coded as a variable symbol. 1 is the default value that is used when no value is specified for n. Usage Note: To pass control to a particular label in an EXEC procedure, use the &GOTO control statement. The &GOTO control statement provides more flexibility when you want to update your EXEC procedures. The &SKIP statement, however, is more efficient, in terms of execution time.