@
(trailing @) prevents SAS from automatically reading a new data record into the input buffer when a new INPUT statement is executed within the same iteration of the DATA step. When used, the trailing @ must be the last item in the INPUT statement.
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(double trailing @) prevents SAS from automatically reading a new data record into the input buffer when the next INPUT statement is executed, even if the DATA step returns to the top for another iteration. When used, the double trailing @ must be the last item in the INPUT statement.