ERROR: File TEST.FORMATS.CATALOG was created for a different operating system.

[bhanuprakash]

when I am running the below code I am getting the below ERROR.

ERROR: File TEST.FORMATS.CATALOG was created for a different operating system.

program:

proc catalog catalog=test.formats;
contents file=formats;
run;

is there any way for converting the 32 bit catalog file to 64 bet catalog file (without using dataset converstion technique).

[art297]

Not sure what you mean by dataset conversion technique that you don't want to use. A couple of conversion steps are desribed in the note at: http://support.sas.com/kb/44/047.html

HTH,

Art, CEO, AnalystFinder.com

[SASKiwi · Accepted solution]

Just to be quite clear, the 32-bit catalog must be converted to a SAS transport file using 32-bit SAS. You can't convert a 32-bit SAS catalog with 64-bit SAS.

The person who produced this catalog in the first place must have used 32-bit SAS so they can produce a transport file for you. 

[bhanuprakash]

sorry for the late reply and at that same time thank you so much for suggestions. 

If I have the source data set I am able to recreate format catalog file by using the proc format procedure.

But my question is can we have any procedure for converting directly 32-bit catalog to 64-bit catalog file ?

As SASKiwi said 

Just to be quite clear, the 32-bit catalog must be converted to a SAS transport file using 32-bit SAS. You can't convert a 32-bit SAS catalog with 64-bit SAS.

I got the answer what I am expecting. Thank you SASKiwi.

[Patrick]

Additionally to what already has been written:

I'd consider keeping the source code and eventually data used to create formats as good practice. If you've got this source code then you could also re-create the formats in the target environment using this source code instead of migrating the catalogs.

[ballardw]

To expand slightly on @Patrick's suggestion: It is very easy to work with. When you create a permanent format place it in a library and a cntlout data set that will allow recreation of the format:

Proc format library=test cntlout=test.formatcntlout;

/* format code*/

run;

Then if you need to recreate the format use that as a cntlin data set.

[hollandnumerics]

Format catalogs are dependent on platform AND bit, so catalogs created using Windows and UNIX are not compatible, AND Windows 32-bit and Windows 64-bit create incompatible catalogs too!

Much better to specify formats in programs for whatever platform you are using, because that way they are always compatible!