topic Re: Running Other Programs While Running SAS Job in SAS Programming

Running Other Programs While Running SAS Job

NKormanik — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 17:50:02 GMT

I'm curious to hear the Community's feelings regarding continuing to use your computer for other things while running a long SAS job. Such as using Chrome internet browser, Outlook, Excel, etc.

I fear that doing so may corrupt the SAS procedures and results.

Please share your insights.

Thanks.

Nicholas Kormanik

Re: Running Other Programs While Running SAS Job

ballardw — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 17:56:44 GMT

Pretty much hardware dependent. If your computer has limited memory, disk space or cpu cycles then you might have issues. Of course generally you do not want to try to access the files SAS is attempting to use as many other applications my try to lock the file(s).

I routinely run SAS, email and browser at the same time. One upon a time I had a job where I was running simulations that ran for 4+ days but still used SAS and other programs. That's what multitasking operating systems are for.

If I had multple programs trying to use all the disk space or memory that would be an issue.

Re: Running Other Programs While Running SAS Job

PaigeMiller — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 18:15:34 GMT

@NicholasKormanik wrote:

I'm curious to hear the Community's feelings regarding continuing to use your computer for other things while running a long SAS job. Such as using Chrome internet browser, Outlook, Excel, etc.

I fear that doing so may corrupt the SAS procedures and results.

I have never had that happen, and as far as I know, it shouldn't happen. Chrome, Outlook, Excel, etc. have no effect on SAS.

Re: Running Other Programs While Running SAS Job

PaigeMiller — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 18:17:19 GMT

@ballardw wrote:

Pretty much hardware dependent. If your computer has limited memory, disk space or cpu cycles then you might have issues.

What "issues" are you talking about here?

The question was about corrupting SAS somehow, that can't happen as far as I know.

Re: Running Other Programs While Running SAS Job

NKormanik — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 19:09:06 GMT

Thanks to all responding. Just don't want any corruptions or interference. Prefer continuing to use main computer if that's okay.

Re: Running Other Programs While Running SAS Job

Reeza — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 19:12:42 GMT

The only reason you shouldn't run other programs is if you're using system commands/functions and/or DDE. Those will interact with the system and you can cause issues with the process.

Re: Running Other Programs While Running SAS Job

NKormanik — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 20:24:49 GMT

What would be a "system command" that could possibly interfere with SAS
functioning properly?

There probably is some dividing line between what won't interfere (browser)
and what likely will. Hmm..

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Re: Running Other Programs While Running SAS Job

ballardw — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 20:38:19 GMT

@PaigeMiller wrote:

@ballardw wrote:

Pretty much hardware dependent. If your computer has limited memory, disk space or cpu cycles then you might have issues.

What "issues" are you talking about here?

The question was about corrupting SAS somehow, that can't happen as far as I know.

Mostly performance related such as excessive disk swapping or just very slow performance as the "active" program gets attention and the background program, SAS perhaps, gets choked for CPU cycles and runs for a very long time. Though in ancient days I did have some issues with scheduled batch jobs getting killed by late-night operators who though the job was out of control as it used "too many resources". Which was why it was scheduled for 2AM to begin with.