How do I create and use SAS data sets?

SAS data sets are referenced within a SAS program by a two level name, e.g.:   libref.memname

where:

• libref is a library reference name previously defined by a LIBNAME statement (or a DDNAME in the mainframe MVS environment).

  Note: In most environments, the SAS data library must exist prior to executing a LIBNAME which associates a library reference name with the library, i.e., the LIBNAME statement typically does not create the data library.

  Note: If only a member name is used to reference a SAS data set, it is assigned to the default SAS data library WORK and is considered to be a temporary data set and will deleted when you complete your current SAS session.

• memname is name of the member data set within this SAS data library.

Permanent SAS data sets are created whenever:

• You use a two level name on a SAS DATA statement, e.g.:

  DATA libref.memname;

• You use a two level name is used with a procedure statement output, e.g.:

  PROC  MEANS;
        OUTPUT OUT=libref.mean_out;

Once a SAS data set has been created, it can be accessed by:

• The DATA= option of a procedure, e.g.:

  PROC  PRINT DATA=libref.memname ;

• With a SET statement within a DATA step: e.g.:

  DATA  new ;
             SET  libref.memname ;

Note: Use of SAS data sets not only more efficient than reading in your data each time you run SAS, but also enables you to write very short programs for simple tasks.