SAS Programming 1: Essentials, Lesson 2 accessing data

[AJS1]

What in this code indicates that a table will be made? Is there a code directory that I can use as a guide as I become more familiar with the SAS language?

libname out "s:/workshop/output";

data class_copy1 out.class_copy2;

set sashelp.class;

run;

[ed_sas_member]

Hi @AJS1 

libname out "s:/workshop/output";

In this statement, you create a SAS library called 'OUT' which refers to the physical path "s:/workshop/output'.

By default, SAS stores your datasets in a library called 'WORK', but these datasets are available only during the SAS session.

If you want to store a dataset permanently, you need to create permanent libraries (like in your example). This a kind of 'nickname' assigned to a physical folder.

-> s:/workshop/output/class_copy2.sas7bdat will be called out.class_copy2

data class_copy1 out.class_copy2;
set sashelp.class;
run;

In this data step (which begins with DATA and finishes with RUN;), you specify in the first statement the name of the dataset to be created: in your example, you create class_copy1 which is to be stored in the WORK library (you can omit to mention work as it is the default library -> so work.class_copy1 is equal to class_copy1). You create also class_copy2, which is to be stored permanently in the OUT library -> so you will be able to see it in the 's:/workshop/output' folder.

These two datasets are created from the input dataset CLASS, which is stored in the library SASHELP.

This action is done through the SET statement.

SAS provides a lot of materials (books, etc.) to get more familiar with SAS and deeply understand how it works.

You can for example take the free e-learning course SAS Programming 1 available here -> https://support.sas.com/edu/schedules.html?crs=PROG1&ctry=us

The following book is also a great resource: https://www.sas.com/store/books/categories/certification-guide/sas-certified-specialist-prep-guide-b...

And also the SAS community 

[AJS1]

This reference is exactly what I was looking for https://www.sas.com/store/books/categories/certification-guide/sas-certified-specialist-prep-guide-b...

[ed_sas_member · Accepted solution]

Hi @AJS1,
Great!
Could you please mark the topic as answered to make it available to the community?