Copying a sas program from one directory to other directory

[Elwin1]

I have a few sas program from a directory which needs to be copied and placed in another directory. I have also tried X statement but while copying the timestamp is getting changes. So how do I ensure that timestamp doesn't get changed while copying

[jimbarbour]

You're using SAS to copy the program?  I wouldn't use SAS.  I would use an operating system command.  Operating system commands will actually copy.  SAS is creating a new program that is a copy of the original, and the timestamp will reflect the time that the new program was created.

If you need to use SAS to manage when the copies are made, you can use SYSTASK or the X command to launch OS level commands from within SAS.

Jim

[Elwin1]

I did trying using the X statement but the timestamp is getting changed. So
how do I preserve the timestamp as well.?

[jimbarbour]

It's getting changed when using an X command?  That's unusual.

What operating system are you running under?  What command are you using?  Do the source and the target directories have the same operating system?  I've seen weird things happen if a UNIX directory is mapped to Windows.

Are the source and target directories in the same time zone?  For example my EG session is running in Pacific Time, but my SAS is running in Central Time.

Jim

[Elwin1]

Thanks for you quick response. The target and the source has UNIX
environment

[jimbarbour]

And what command specifically are you using to execute the copy?

Are there any peculiarities about either of these two UNIX environments?

In what way are the timestamps in error?  I assume that the copy has the date-time of when it was copied not the date-time of the original, is that correct?

Jim

[Elwin1]

Got it. Need to use cp -p (It preserves the timestamp).. Thanks

[Kurt_Bremser · Accepted solution]

UNIX cp (and, IIRC, Windows copy) will create a new file with a new timestamp, unless you use the -p option (preserve attributes). mv, OTOH, will keep as much of the attributes as possible (depending on who runs it and who owns the original file).