data a;
input b;
cards;
3
4
6
1
3
;
run;
proc sort data=a out=b (rename=(b=b_ordered));
by b ;
run;
data _null_ ;
merge a b end=eof;
if b= b_ordered then do;
if eof then call symputx("maxvar", b);
end;
else do;
call symputx("maxvar", 'NOT by ascending order!!!!');
stop;
end;
run;
%put &maxvar ;