PROC CPORT/CIMPORT

[iSAS]

We have a huge amount of datasets and we only have a limited amount of space. Since we couldn't delete our datasets and to save space, we would just like to compress and decompress it whenever needed using PROC CPORT & PROC CIMPORT.

We would like to know if this approcah is safe? Is there a possibility that our datasets will be corrupted if we keep on compressing/decompressing it using this approach? Also, during compression/decompression, is there a possibility that we will encounter issues that might lead to corruption of data?

We will also be migrating from SAS 9.2 to 9.3, are decompression of compressed 9.2 datasets in 9.3 ok?

[RW9]

Proc cport/cimport are not methods for compressing, or archiving data.  They are old methods for moving data from one system to another.  I highly recommend you do not use that process for what you are saying.

http://support.sas.com/documentation/cdl/en/proc/61895/HTML/default/viewer.htm#cport-overview.htm

If you have large amounts of data, and need to work with it, consider moving to a virtual platform or datastore where your large data can be held on expanding - and backed up - storage, and be next to the processing unit.  This costs, but is far better than trying to work with a home brew situation which will fail.  

I assume you use the compress option:

http://support.sas.com/documentation/cdl/en/lrdict/64316/HTML/default/viewer.htm#a001288760.htm

Also, consider some re-modelling of the data, or other technique.

I would really advise you look at both your storage and processing needs and implement a system which is adequate to cover those needs, anything else will be sub optimal and likely cause you more issues further down the road.  And unless you have a specific need for cport/import avoid it, much like xpt they are horrible.

[iSAS]

Thank you so much for the help rw9. We'll take note on this 🙂