64-bit SAS datasets compatability

[jstierman]

I am considering to install 64-bit SAS on my machine, but wondering if I create SAS datasets, will my coworkers who are still on 32-bit SAS not be able to read or work with them? Are 32-bit SAS installations compatible with SAS datasets created with the 64-bit SAS software.

I do not use format catalogs, which I know are not compatible between versions.

Thank you.

[SASKiwi · Accepted solution]

Datasets are compatible as long as you are all on the same operating system - the bitness of SAS doesn't matter. As you have already noted SAS catalogs aren't compatible between 32 and 64-bit versions.

And from @maggiem_sas:

See also the Compatibility Calculator to help answer questions about cross-release or cross-environment compatibility:

http://support.sas.com/rnd/migration/planning/files/calculator/

[ballardw]

SAS 9.4 files by default will not be readable by 9.2 or earlier. i believer there is a system option related to reporting the number of records that is involved with this but can't remember which one at the moment.

[jstierman]

Would the bitness of Windows matter? I'm guessing not. I assume you mean that datasets are incompatible between Linux vs Mac vs Windows, but that SAS for Windows are always compatible among each other.

Asking because I'll be on Windows 7 64-bit, whereas some coworkers will have Win 7 32-bit until they get new machines.

Thanks for your help!

[jstierman]

P.s. We are on SAS 9.3 if that makes a difference.

[SASKiwi]

The issue @ballardw is referring to is this - if you are on 9.3 you should be OK

http://support.sas.com/documentation/cdl/en/lrcon/68089/HTML/default/viewer.htm#p1ldhc0p7imdegn1hie6...

[LinusH]

Not SAS data set specific, but worth mentioning is the compatibility with MS Office files.

See @ChrisHemedinger blog post which I think is still relevant:

http://blogs.sas.com/content/sasdummy/2012/05/01/64-bit-gotchas/

[ChrisHemedinger]

SAS for Windows data sets are compatible -- the same -- on 32-bit and 64-bit Windows.  So sharing data sets with colleagues who are using Windows should work fine.

Format catalogs (or any catalog files), as you know, are different.  Those would require a step through PROC MIGRATE or CPORT/CIMPORT in order to share.

SAS on any operating system can read data sets created on a different operating system, thanks to cross-environment data access (CEDA).  For example, if you create data with SAS for Linux, that data set can be read by SAS for Windows.  However, you can't update that data set "in place" from the different OS, unlike when you're working with a data set on the "native" operating system.

[maggiem_sas]

See also the Compatibility Calculator to help answer questions about cross-release or cross-environment compatibility:

http://support.sas.com/rnd/migration/planning/files/calculator/