Let us say I have a massive tab separated file stored in a network drive visible to SAS. The file contains these columns:
Can I access this file via, for axample PROC SQL, to only populate a SAS dataset based on a subset of this data (e.g. where Id = 1234)?
If you use a datastep you can filter data while reading the external file, but if possible
better read the whole file then filter as need using sas tools.
SAS sql will handle SAS dataset, not a TAB separated file.
You need first to import it into sas using FILENAME ... DLM='09'x;
Use either proc import or a datastep to read the file;
I would suggest reading the entire set into SAS. Then you can subset with a WHERE clause in Proc SQL to your hearts content.
I do not know the number of times I have had someone tell me we need the "XYZ" values only. And then finish the project and get told "need ABC and XYZ_2" also. If you subset the data too early then you may be rereading the data from scratch many times.
If you use a datastep you can filter data while reading the external file, but if possible
better read the whole file then filter as need using sas tools.
A subsetting if can be used in a data step that reads from a flat file. But I would only contemplate this if the dataset grows to considerable size. Otherwise you're better off by subsetting later.
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