proc contents

[jimksas]

Hello Friends -

can someone please help on my question?

is there any way we can perform "proc contents" for all SAS data sets into one particular folder where we have all SAS data sets RATHER than doing it individually?

i am talking about performing below code for all SAS data sets at same time.

proc contents data=jim.test;

run;

- Thanks!

[Reeza · Accepted solution]

Assign a library to the folder and then use Proc datasets.

You should also look into the SASHELP.VTABLE and SASHELP.VCOLUMN Tables. 

[jimksas]

thanks Reeza. i found it.

/*i did*/

libname test 'f:\market\dvjkhasfljk\';

proc contents data=test. _all_;

run;

/*and it (html + sashelp.vtable + sashelp.vcolumn) has all the info. i need*/

[Vince28_Statcan]

proc contents is a hidden call to proc datasets with content statements. If you follow through the documentation of proc contents for DATA= option, you will find that

proc contents data=jim._ALL_;

run;

should achieve your desired result. The notice for the MEMTYPE= in the documentation only applies if you want proc contents for library members that are not datasets as those are the default member types output.

If you are looking only for a particular element of information from proc contents though, the SASHELP tables mentionned by Reeza are probably a better alternative if you have many, many datasets in your library.

[jimksas]

ops thanks 'Vince28' ...

[kjohnsonm]

thanks for the post!

I like this as a basic template:

proc print data=SASHELP.VCOLUMN NOOBS;
VAR libname memname memtype name type length label format informat;
where label like "myField" AND LIBNAME='MyLibName_or_WORK' AND memname LIKE "%MyDataSetPattern%";
run;