topic How can I test when a dataset is modified/created in a program in SAS Data Management

How can I test when a dataset is modified/created in a program

PaalNavestad — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:34:32 GMT

Hi. I'm having several Stored Procedures that I use to update/create tables that users can correct numbers and add lines. When I create the I just want to make a screen saying that the data set has been updated. I can get when the dataset information as dates, path, observations in the printed output from proc contents. However I have not found a way to get this in a dataset so I can test the date against current clock time and make a nice message saying updated successfully. The out statement only give the variables.

Does anybody have a nice trick for this?

Re: How can I test when a dataset is modified/created in a program

MichaelLarsen — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 07:26:05 GMT

proc sql noprint;
  create table updated as
    select *
    from dictionary.tables
    where libname = 'SASHELP'
      and memname = 'CLASS' ;
quit;

Column modate will contain a datetime value showing the date and time the table was modified.

Note remember that libname is always in upper case in dictionary and that memname is in mixed case, you may want to surround both memname and your tablename with the upcase function to ensure a match.

Re: How can I test when a dataset is modified/created in a program

Kurt_Bremser — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 08:23:22 GMT

Just to show how this works in practice:

proc sql;
create table class as select * from sashelp.class;
select modate
from dictionary.tables
where libname = 'WORK'
and memname = 'CLASS';
quit;

%let wait=%sysfunc(sleep(1,1));

proc sql;
create table class as select * from sashelp.class;
select modate
from dictionary.tables
where libname = 'WORK'
and memname = 'CLASS';
quit;

Result:

   Date Modified
----------------
06JUN19:10:22:35
                

   Date Modified
----------------
06JUN19:10:22:36

Re: How can I test when a dataset is modified/created in a program

PaalNavestad — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 08:32:40 GMT

Thanks a million. I did not think about dictonary.tables. Shame on me.

Re: How can I test when a dataset is modified/created in a program

PaalNavestad — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 09:00:59 GMT

Thanks, works like a dream

Re: How can I test when a dataset is modified/created in a program

pdhokriya — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 05:15:51 GMT

How to get created date/time?

Re: How can I test when a dataset is modified/created in a program

Kurt_Bremser — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 06:42:00 GMT

It is also in DICTIONARY.TABLES, right next to MODATE.