topic Re: When SAS Accessing MS SQL server data, which one is more efficient , ODBC connection or SQL seve in SAS Data Management

When SAS Accessing MS SQL server data, which one is more efficient , ODBC connection or SQL sever?

Jade_SAS — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 16:40:49 GMT

Hi All,

When SAS Accessing MS SQL server data, which one is more efficient , ODBC connection or SQL sever native client connection?

That is when you do "libname test ODBC" or "libname test SQLSVR" to access the dataset, which one is more efficient?

Also what's the advantage and disadvantage when using ODBC connection or SQL sever native client connection in SAS?

Thank you!

Jade

Re: When SAS Accessing MS SQL server data, which one is more efficient , ODBC connection or SQL seve

LinusH — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 19:30:11 GMT

What do you mean by native SQL Server connection? Regardless of what your client is called it's still ODBC or OLEDB. Regardless, it shouldn't really care unless you have any specific requirements.

Re: When SAS Accessing MS SQL server data, which one is more efficient , ODBC connection or SQL seve

SASKiwi — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 19:35:56 GMT

Performance should be similar. The main constraint is network bandwidth to move data between the SQL Server and the SAS application server. We use ODBC and find performance is very good. The advantage of ODBC is it can be used with any ODBC-compliant database whereas the SQL Server ACCESS product can only be used with that database.

In theory SAS/ACCESS to SQL Server will be more customisable but I have yet to identify any major limitations with ODBC.

Re: When SAS Accessing MS SQL server data, which one is more efficient , ODBC connection or SQL seve

Jade_SAS — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 19:49:14 GMT

To LinusH: Thank you for your reply! By speaking native SQL Server connection, I mean using SAS/access to MS SQL server directly.

Re: When SAS Accessing MS SQL server data, which one is more efficient , ODBC connection or SQL seve

Jade_SAS — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 19:52:21 GMT

Thank you SASKiwi! Can I ask what makes you think SAS/ACCESS to SQL server will be more customisable?

Re: When SAS Accessing MS SQL server data, which one is more efficient , ODBC connection or SQL seve

LinusH — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 19:56:31 GMT

Maybe this old knowledge but SAS/ACCESS to SQL Server was only available in UNIX/Linux environments. So of you are in Windows I don't think that you have ACCESS to SQL Server as an alternative...

Re: When SAS Accessing MS SQL server data, which one is more efficient , ODBC connection or SQL seve

JBailey — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 20:01:37 GMT

Hey,

Windows is a new platform for SAS/ACCESS Interface to Microsoft SQL Server.

This includes a DataDirect driver for MS SQL Server. Benefits are;

Enhanced function push-down
Selected PROC push-down
Enhance Internationalization support
Simplified LIBNAME statement - no DSN required.

I am sure I am missing something. If you are interested, I will create a community article. Let me know if you are interested.

Re: When SAS Accessing MS SQL server data, which one is more efficient , ODBC connection or SQL seve

SASKiwi — Fri, 20 Jan 2017 06:52:47 GMT

@JBailey's post lists some of these. However if you are just doing SQL queries then either product is fine.

Re: When SAS Accessing MS SQL server data, which one is more efficient , ODBC connection or SQL seve

Jade_SAS — Fri, 20 Jan 2017 13:35:28 GMT

Yes, I am interested. Please let us know if the article is ready!

Jade