Adding New Variables to Permanent Dataset

[deleted_user]

Is there anyway to add new to variable to a existing permanent dataset, without re-
creating new dataset.

The permanent dataset, which i want to modify is very huge(contains millions of obs)... so, I don't want to create a new dataset....

[Peter_C]

no
you can change values in existing columns
you can add new rows of values

but you cannot add additional columns without recreating the whole table (less blunt than just "no")
Message was edited by: Peter.C

[sbb]

You may find the SAS data VIEW concept to be useful here, depending on your specific needs.

Scott Barry
SBBWorks, Inc.

[Flip]

The closest you can get is Proc sql; alter table xxx add var var-spec;

It probably recreates the dataset anyway, but it seems faster than recreating in my experience.

[DanielSantos]

Alter table being the simplest solution to add a variable, will also recreate the dataset.

SAS datasets are stored into physical pages (just a unit) on a tabular form.
From there it easy to understand that there is no way yo add a new variable without rewriting the whole file.

Cheers from Portugal.

Daniel Santos @ www.cgd.pt