topic PROC SQL - SELECT * - what is the * for? in SAS Programming

PROC SQL - SELECT * - what is the * for?

lg2 — Fri, 25 May 2018 00:46:07 GMT

i have a code as below.

proc sql;

create table sel_me as

select *

question:why do we use select*

HB — Thu, 24 May 2018 20:57:35 GMT

You don't have to.

The * is a wildcard. " select * " means " select everything " and sometimes that is easier than typing everything out. .

novinosrin — Thu, 24 May 2018 21:01:08 GMT

select *

from sashelpclass;

quit;

is the same as

specifying all the variables in the select statement

basically as short cut

Please run

Proc sql;

select *

from sashelp.class;

quit;

and

proc sql;

select Name, Sex, Age ,Height ,Weight

from sashelp.class;

quit;

to notice the result

Reeza — Fri, 25 May 2018 00:49:13 GMT

Mostly because programmers are lazy and if there's a shorter way its much easier.

Please note that I've rewritten your subject line to be more descriptive. This will help anyone else looking for the same answer in the future.

The SAS SQL documentation is here:

And has plenty of examples that you can use. Your question would be covered here:

*

represents all columns in the tables or views that are listed in the FROM clause.

ruchi11dec — Fri, 25 May 2018 06:30:57 GMT

whenever you use * in the select clause of sql, it always means selecting all columns. In the contradictory you can also select particular columns.

Select * from table will select all coulmns

and

select col1,c0l2 from table