topic Re: Managing Datasets in Work Lib in SAS Programming

Managing Datasets in Work Lib

deleted_user — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 19:24:31 GMT

Not sure if this is the right forum to post to. We have a server environment, so multiple SAS processes will be running at once. Two-part question:

1. If I run Proc Delete to clean up workspace, will I clean up all users' work datasets or just the workspace datasets from the particular program that is running:

Proc Delete Data=Work._ALL_; Run;

2. If 2 programs are running and both are using SAS Work library and both create a dataset "x", will that cause a conflict or does SAS manage this such that x will be distinguished in each program?

Thanks,
--Charlie

Re: Managing Datasets in Work Lib

JackHamilton — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 19:42:49 GMT

SAS is usually set up so that each session gets its own work library. You won't see the work datasets belonging to other users, and other users won't see yours.

To test this, try the statement

libname work list;

in two different sessions, and see if the physical names are different. If they are, you won't have to worry about these issues.

Re: Managing Datasets in Work Lib

deleted_user — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 21:13:00 GMT

I tried this and this is what I get. Looks like it is indeed going to different places so we're ok. Thanks!

NOTE: Libref= WORK

Scope= IOM ROOT COMP ENV

Engine= V9

Access= TEMP

Physical Name= E:\SAS\SAS_TEMP\_TD6936\Prc2

File Name= E:\SAS\SAS_TEMP\_TD6936\Prc2

And:

NOTE: Libref= WORK

Scope= IOM ROOT COMP ENV

Engine= V9

Access= TEMP

Physical Name= E:\SAS\SAS_TEMP\_TD5284\Prc2

File Name= E:\SAS\SAS_TEMP\_TD5284\Prc2