SAS Data Model
The data model for SAS is:
- Read a row of data
- Process statements sequentially
On run, write data into the step's LIBREF.TABLE
data LIBREF.TABLE;
STATEMENTS;
run;
Quick Tips
Copying Tables
data LIBREF.NEWTABLE;
set LIBREF.OLDTABLE;
run;
Subsetting Tables
data LIBREF.NEWTABLE;
set LIBREF.OLDTABLE;
where EXPR;
keep VARLIST1;
drop VARLIST2;
run;
Coercing Data Types
data LIBREF.NEWTABLE;
set LIBREF.OLDTABLE;
/* try converting alphanumeric to numeric */
NUM_ID = input(ANUM_ID, 8.);
/* left-align text */
length TEXT_VAR $999.;
TEXT_VAR = put(TEXT_VAR, $999. -L);
/* parse timestamps like '01Jan1999' */
format TIMESTAMP_VAR DATE9.;
MONTH_VAR = month(TIMESTAMP_VAR);
/* round numerics to integers */
format INT_VAR 10.;
run;