Macro variables: Why is there whitespace between 2 macro variables

Question

Why does this return spaces/tab between 2 variables(JAN 2006)?

I have pasted my code below.

I am trying to automate the date in the filename. The problem here is is that it's used multiple times in the query and it's usually run backwards in time on a monthly basis.

So I have setup a simple macro variable that filters on the dates, but the filename isn't as easily updated. Any tips or suggestions?

If it wasn't on a monthly basis I would have simply used %sysdate function.

Example filename

PROC SQL;
    CREATE TABLE TEST AS    
        SELECT * FROM SASHELP.RENT
        ;
RUN;

PROC SQL;
        SELECT TRIM(YEAR(MAX(date)))
        INTO :year
        FROM test;
RUn;

PROC SQL;
        SELECT 
            CASE 
                WHEN MONTH(MAX(DATE))=1
                THEN "JAN"
                WHEN MONTH(MAX(DATE))=2
                THEN "FEB"              
                WHEN MONTH(MAX(DATE))=3
                THEN "MAR"          
                WHEN MONTH(MAX(DATE))=4
                THEN "APR"              
                WHEN MONTH(MAX(DATE))=5
                THEN "MEI"              
                WHEN MONTH(MAX(DATE))=6
                THEN "JUN"              
                WHEN MONTH(MAX(DATE))=7
                THEN "JUL"              
                WHEN MONTH(MAX(DATE))=8
                THEN "AUG"              
                WHEN MONTH(MAX(DATE))=9
                THEN "SEP"              
                WHEN MONTH(MAX(DATE))=10
                THEN "OKT"              
                WHEN MONTH(MAX(DATE))=11
                THEN "NOV"
                WHEN MONTH(MAX(DATE))=12
                THEN "DEC"
                END AS maand
        INTO :maand
        FROM test;
RUn;


PROC EXPORT 
DATA=test
outfile = "\\test-&maand&year"
dbms =xlsx replace;
RUN;

Answer 1

Here is how I would simplify it.

proc sql noprint;
  select year(date)
       , put(month(date), monname3.) 
  into :year separated by ''
     , :month separated by ''
  from sashelp.rent
  having max(date) = date;
run;

%put &year.;
%put &month.;

%put \\test-&month.&year.;