topic Use of Infile and Input statements in SAS Certification

Use of Infile and Input statements

SASsusrik — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 13:58:56 GMT

Hello

I came across a feed that said that the infile input and arrays won't be tested on Base SAS Certification exam.

I am wondering if there is a reason why. Import works with many data input types. Wondering if there are exceptions where there is a need to use infile/ input and import won't work. Would appreciate any light on this. For eg., I saw 4 different types of reading input etc. Wondering if I need to know these too - not cert POV but if there be a need. TY.

Re: Use of Infile and Input statements

Mark2010 — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 15:52:05 GMT

Correct, it has been over 6 years since INFILE/INPUT have been on the SAS Base Programming Certification exam. The official information for exam content is always in the Exam Content Guides that you can find at www.sas.com/certification If it is in the exam content guide, it is fair game for the exam.

Ignoring the certification exam for a moment, in general, there are occasions when where INFILE/INPUT provide the greatest control and flexibility (over PROC IMPORT) for the developer writing code to read complex semi-structured data.

Re: Use of Infile and Input statements

Tom — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 16:55:48 GMT

In addition it is always preferable to use normal SAS code to read a delimited text file (aka CSV file) instead of using PROC IMPORT. This ie because a delimited text file has no place to store information about how to define the variable which forces PROC IMPORT to make educated GUESSES about how the variables should be defined.

Re: Use of Infile and Input statements

SASsusrik — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 17:30:28 GMT

Hi Tom

Thanks for your response. Also am wondering if we need to know functions other than those mentioned in the cert guide/ book. Would it be good enough to learn the contents of the book for the certification? TIA!

Re: Use of Infile and Input statements

Quentin — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 18:11:34 GMT

From prior discussion threads, I'm pretty sure you can trust the certification guide. SAS wants you to pass the certification test. They're not likely to add test questions on topics that are not addressed in the certification guide. You just want to make sure you have the most recent certification guide. I'm sure there are plenty of prior versions bouncing around the interwebs.

Re: Use of Infile and Input statements

Ksharp — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 07:02:52 GMT

These "4 different types of reading input“ are the hard core of data step programming. If you want to learn SAS ,you have to have it.

List input
Format input
Column input
Named input