topic Re: Working on the same SAS datasets on 2 different operating systems... in SAS Procedures

Working on the same SAS datasets on 2 different operating systems...

Ashwini_uci — Thu, 03 May 2012 20:05:55 GMT

Hi there,

I have some SAS datasets for which, I had created the formats and done majority of analyses Windows XP. And now I have a new computer with windows 7 and while running some analyses on this new computer. I keep getting following warning messages in the log windows; however it is still giving me the output.

ERROR: File LIBRARY.FORMATS.CATALOG was created for a different operating system

I am wondering, if this is anything serious and if it is going to affect the results in anyway.

Is switching between 2 operating systems, going to give me any serious trouble ahead with SAS analyseS? Any suggestions/recommendations?

Thanks,

Ashwini

Re: Working on the same SAS datasets on 2 different operating systems...

MikeZdeb — Thu, 03 May 2012 20:57:04 GMT

hi ... the problem may be a 32-bit PC running XP versus a 64-bit PC running 7, it's a problem with catalogs (e.g. format catalogs)

one solution (there are most likely others) for formats is to create CNTLOUT data set on a 32-bit PC and use it as a CNTLIN data set on the 64-bit

* some 32-bit formats;

proc format;

value a 1='1' other='other';

value $a '1'='1' other='other';

invalue check 1=10 other = _same_;

invalue $check '1'='ten' other = _same_;

run;

* write formats to a data set;

proc format lib=work cntlout=hold;

run;

* go to the 64-bit PC;

libname library 'z:\';

proc format library=library cntlin=hold;

run;

Re: Working on the same SAS datasets on 2 different operating systems...

Ashwini_uci — Thu, 03 May 2012 21:29:48 GMT

hi there, thanks for your response. you are right the problem is about 32 bit vs 64 bit.

I am wondering if i can still trust the analyses result i am getting in the 64 bit PC, shown along with the warning.

Do i have to do something like you have explained above? or for that matter use one of the solutions before I run the analyses in 64 bit PC?

There are too many datasets and each of them is very huge and has too many formats..so i donot really wish to do it all over again.

I just want to know if it will be absolutely fine to use those results even if they are generated with the error messages about formats.

If i could just use the analyses results without having to take care of the solutions to get rid of the warning, that will save me a lot of time.

Appreciate your help.
Thanks

Ashwini

Re: Working on the same SAS datasets on 2 different operating systems...

MikeZdeb — Thu, 03 May 2012 21:53:48 GMT

hi ... quite sure it is just a format-related issue and has no effect on the use of the data sets

you could always seek a higher authority (http://support.sas.com/ctx/supportform/createForm)

Re: Working on the same SAS datasets on 2 different operating systems...

Ksharp — Fri, 04 May 2012 02:19:28 GMT

Maybe you can consider to use proc cport and proc cimport to transport these 32-bit sas files into 64-bit sas files.

Ksharp