The advantage of proc ds2 compared to data step and sas macro

[LineMoon]

Hello,

Please, I want to know the avantage of proc ds2 compared to to data step and sas macro.

Thank you

[LinusH]

DS2 can run in parallel and offers more flexibility than the traditional data step. Like possibility to define range of different data types, and nest SQL within the data step. DS2 is also used whith SAS in-database technology.
Hard to compare with macro. Perhaps the flexibility in DS2 will make some macro scenarios obsolete.
Like always, it's easier to compare when you have an actual use case.
Meanwhile, search support.sas.com for papers on the subject.

[LineMoon]

Thank you for your answer.

You say " to define range of different data types, and nest SQL within the data step"

Intersting, Could you give some exemples ?

[LinusH]

Please do your own research given the hints in my previous post. It's not hard to find...

[Paul_OldenKamp_org]

You might want to look up "The DS2 Procedure: SAS Programming Methods at Work" by Peter Eberhardt and published by SAS.

It's available now on the O'Reilly Safari Books On-line even though the publish date listed there is 18Mar2016.

Paul

[ballardw]

SAS Macro language should not be considered in this comparison. The macro language generates text that is not specific to the data step.