topic new data set with metadata of an existing data set? in SAS Programming

new data set with metadata of an existing data set?

Eva — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:07:57 GMT

Dear all,

I's like to create a new data set that has exactely the same fields as an existing data set. And the fields should all have the same definitions, i.e. char/num and their lengths. How can I do this? Is it possible to "copy" a dataset without its data rows?

(After I have this empty new dataset I'd like to insert just one row with the values I assign.)

Best wishes,

Eva

new data set with metadata of an existing data set?

Eva — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:43:43 GMT

I found a solution in the manaul for prc sql and the create table statement:

proc sql;

/* create same table but empty */

create table work.calss like sashelp.class;

/* insert new row */

insert into work.class

set

name='Eva',

sex='F',

age='99',

height=123,

weight=888;

quit;

new data set with metadata of an existing data set?

LinusH — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:59:39 GMT

Like works nice, but it does not copy any index information to the target table.

If you want that, you can use PROC APPEND with a non existing BASE table.

This will result that the BASE table will be created, using the metadata from the DATA table.

Proc Append Base=Want Data=Have(obs=0);

Run;

/Linus

new data set with metadata of an existing data set?

Haikuo — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:22:09 GMT

If using Datastep, you could also try:

data have;

name='Eva1';

sex='F1';

age='991';

height=1231;

weight=8881;

run;

data want;

if 0 then set have;

name='Eva';

sex='F';

age='99';

height=123;

weight=888;

run;

Regards,

Haikuo