topic Re: Retrieving File Details (Last Modified) When Using Filename FTP Access Method in SAS Programming

Retrieving File Details (Last Modified) When Using Filename FTP Access Method

CR-Horton — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 20:48:31 GMT

Hello,

I am reading in a .txt file from an FTP using the filename statement. I have successfully read in the file, but I am wanting to add a column for the last modified date as it appears on the FTP. I am aware of the FINFO(fid,'Last Modified'); option, but I cannot seem to get it to work.

Is there a way to easily capture the last modified date for the file that I am reading in using the filename statement FTP access method?

The end goal for me is to automate the SAS program to run and pull in the file every time the file is updated on the FTP.

Thanks in advance.

Re: Retrieving File Details (Last Modified) When Using Filename FTP Access Method

ChrisNZ — Tue, 30 Nov 2021 07:11:59 GMT

Where does the date go? Where's that new column?

Is it the modified date of the file on the FTP server you want to use?
I doubt it is kept when the file's download, or accessible with the FINFO() function. Can you get a DSID when you OPEN() the file?

Re: Retrieving File Details (Last Modified) When Using Filename FTP Access Method

Kurt_Bremser — Tue, 30 Nov 2021 09:46:56 GMT

The FINFO function is only for files that are physically present in the filespace of the SAS session. To retrieve metadata of remote files, you would need to use external FTP (requiring that OPTIONS XCMD is enabled) to retrieve a file listing from which you can pull the modification timestamp.

Re: Retrieving File Details (Last Modified) When Using Filename FTP Access Method

CR-Horton — Sun, 12 Dec 2021 01:16:15 GMT

Thanks for the response, Chris.

Yes, I was hoping just to add the modified date as another column in the dataset. Also, correct, it's the modified date of the file on the FTP.

I am still looking into what can be done and also considering Kurt's comment.