topic Re: 64-bit SAS datasets compatability in SAS Data Management

64-bit SAS datasets compatability

jstierman — Thu, 15 Sep 2016 20:26:42 GMT

I am considering to install 64-bit SAS on my machine, but wondering if I create SAS datasets, will my coworkers who are still on 32-bit SAS not be able to read or work with them? Are 32-bit SAS installations compatible with SAS datasets created with the 64-bit SAS software.

I do not use format catalogs, which I know are not compatible between versions.

Thank you.

Re: 64-bit SAS datasets compatability

SASKiwi — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 13:51:37 GMT

Datasets are compatible as long as you are all on the same operating system - the bitness of SAS doesn't matter. As you have already noted SAS catalogs aren't compatible between 32 and 64-bit versions.

And from @maggiem_sas:

See also the Compatibility Calculator to help answer questions about cross-release or cross-environment compatibility:

http://support.sas.com/rnd/migration/planning/files/calculator/

Re: 64-bit SAS datasets compatability

ballardw — Thu, 15 Sep 2016 22:29:07 GMT

SAS 9.4 files by default will not be readable by 9.2 or earlier. i believer there is a system option related to reporting the number of records that is involved with this but can't remember which one at the moment.

Re: 64-bit SAS datasets compatability

jstierman — Thu, 15 Sep 2016 22:31:31 GMT

Would the bitness of Windows matter? I'm guessing not. I assume you mean that datasets are incompatible between Linux vs Mac vs Windows, but that SAS for Windows are always compatible among each other.

Asking because I'll be on Windows 7 64-bit, whereas some coworkers will have Win 7 32-bit until they get new machines.

Thanks for your help!

Re: 64-bit SAS datasets compatability

jstierman — Thu, 15 Sep 2016 22:33:28 GMT

P.s. We are on SAS 9.3 if that makes a difference.

Re: 64-bit SAS datasets compatability

SASKiwi — Thu, 15 Sep 2016 22:40:23 GMT

The issue @ballardw is referring to is this - if you are on 9.3 you should be OK

http://support.sas.com/documentation/cdl/en/lrcon/68089/HTML/default/viewer.htm#p1ldhc0p7imdegn1hie6vh2kfm1k.htm

Re: 64-bit SAS datasets compatability

LinusH — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 11:01:51 GMT

Not SAS data set specific, but worth mentioning is the compatibility with MS Office files.

See @ChrisHemedinger blog post which I think is still relevant:

http://blogs.sas.com/content/sasdummy/2012/05/01/64-bit-gotchas/

Re: 64-bit SAS datasets compatability

ChrisHemedinger — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 12:07:48 GMT

SAS for Windows data sets are compatible -- the same -- on 32-bit and 64-bit Windows. So sharing data sets with colleagues who are using Windows should work fine.

Format catalogs (or any catalog files), as you know, are different. Those would require a step through PROC MIGRATE or CPORT/CIMPORT in order to share.

SAS on any operating system can read data sets created on a different operating system, thanks to cross-environment data access (CEDA). For example, if you create data with SAS for Linux, that data set can be read by SAS for Windows. However, you can't update that data set "in place" from the different OS, unlike when you're working with a data set on the "native" operating system.

Re: 64-bit SAS datasets compatability

maggiem_sas — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 13:11:42 GMT

See also the Compatibility Calculator to help answer questions about cross-release or cross-environment compatibility:

http://support.sas.com/rnd/migration/planning/files/calculator/