How to compare same datasets in two different locations(Folder) and Create the Boolean (Y/N)

[SASuserlot]

I encountered a situation where I just need to compare the two dataset based on the result I need to give a value they are same or not.

I have the same datasets in different folders. I need to compare both and see they are same ? if they are same then I need to create a variable 'EQUAL'= 'Y' otherwise  'N'. I have the idea of proc compare  and I can read the lst file and see if they are equal or not. In my case it's not a suitable idea because I am writing this in macro  depending on this further macro will be executed. I thought of counting the observations by outputting the compare dataset but got stuck after words .How we can a achieve this?

In my example, I tried my best to simulate the condition. Excuse me if I have any errors.

According to my example ,

1. I am expecting  a variable "EQUAL' = 'Y'  ( Even though the lengths are different.)

2. is it possible we can grab if there is a changes in  length, format, labels ? and create a variable with the list of the things changes  ( I think its too hard to achieve. if we can not that's ok.)

Thank you for your inputs.

How I am expecting the dataset like below . 'LIST' is optional if its too much of work.

libname folder1 'c:\November';
libname folder2 'c:\December';
*in my case dataset name is same both folders . For the purpose to run the code, I created the same file with different name;

data folder1.x1;
set sashelp.class;
run;

data folder2.x2;
length name $30.;
set x1;
run;

proc compare base= folder1.x1 compare= folder2.x2 out= x3 outnoequal  noprint;
run;
proc sql;
  create table cnt as select count(*) as N from x3;
quit;

[Kurt_Bremser]

Do you want to compare the contents or the structures of both datasets?

[SASuserlot]

Thanks for your response. My major focus in Contents  ( if the dataset is same or not irrespective of structural changes)

[SASKiwi]

There is a not well known way of doing what you want with PROC COMPARE then checking the return code from the procedure:

proc compare base = BaseTable
             compare = CompareTable
             listvar out = difs outnoequal
            ;
run;

%let rc = &sysinfo;

data _null_;
 %* Test for data set label ;
   if &rc = '1'b then
      put "<<<< &table.: Data sets have different labels";
 %* Test for data set types ;
   if &rc = '1.'b then
      put "<<<< &table.: Data set types differ";
 %* Test for label ;
   if &rc = '1.....'b then
      put "<<<< &table.: Variable has different label";
 %* Test for base observation ;
   if &rc = '1......'b then
      put "<<<< &table.: Base data set has observation not in comparison data set";
 %* Test for length ;
   if &rc = '1....'b then
      put "<<<< &table.: Variable has different lengths between the base data set and the comparison data set";
 %* Variable in base data set not in compare data set;
   if &rc ='1..........'b then 
      put "<<<< &table.: Variable in base data set not found in comparison data set";
 %* Comparison data set has variable not in base data set ;
   if &rc = '1...........'b then
      put "<<<< &table.: Comparison data set has variable not contained in the base data set";
 %* Test for values ;
   if &rc = '1............'b then
      put "<<<< &table.: A value comparison was unequal";
 %* Conflicting variable types;
   if &rc ='1.............'b then
      put "<<<< &table.: Conflicting variable types between the two data sets being compared";
run;

[SASuserlot]

Thank you @SASKiwi . I thought the same. how about if we just want to check the content? looking data same or not! like run the compare and out the no equal dataset,----> then count the observation, if count= 0 then datasets are equal otherwise NO? and Whats '&Table" in your code refer to?

[SASKiwi]

@SASuserlot  - Sorry, I forgot to correct the code I posted:

%let table = MyTable;
proc compare base = Folder1.&Table.
             compare = Folder2.&Table.
             listvar out = difs outnoequal
            ;
run;

%let rc = &sysinfo;

data _null_;
 %* Test for data set label ;
   if &rc = '1'b then
      put "<<<< &table.: Data sets have different labels";
 %* Test for data set types ;
   if &rc = '1.'b then
      put "<<<< &table.: Data set types differ";
 %* Test for label ;
   if &rc = '1.....'b then
      put "<<<< &table.: Variable has different label";
 %* Test for base observation ;
   if &rc = '1......'b then
      put "<<<< &table.: Base data set has observation not in comparison data set";
 %* Test for length ;
   if &rc = '1....'b then
      put "<<<< &table.: Variable has different lengths between the base data set and the comparison data set";
 %* Variable in base data set not in compare data set;
   if &rc ='1..........'b then 
      put "<<<< &table.: Variable in base data set not found in comparison data set";
 %* Comparison data set has variable not in base data set ;
   if &rc = '1...........'b then
      put "<<<< &table.: Comparison data set has variable not contained in the base data set";
 %* Test for values ;
   if &rc = '1............'b then
      put "<<<< &table.: A value comparison was unequal";
 %* Conflicting variable types;
   if &rc ='1.............'b then
      put "<<<< &table.: Conflicting variable types between the two data sets being compared";
run;

Yes, you could just check the COMPARE output dataset and if there are any rows that is evidence there are data differences between the two tables.

[Ksharp · Accepted solution]

/*
That is easy if these two tables have the same variable name with same order and type.
*/





libname folder1 'c:\temp\old';
libname folder2 'c:\temp\new';

data folder1.x1;
set sashelp.class;
run;
data folder2.x2;
set sashelp.class;
run;

data folder1.y1;
set sashelp.heart;
run;
data folder2.y2;
set sashelp.heart;
if _n_=1 then call missing(of _numeric_);
run;






%macro compare_dsn(first=,second= , output=);
proc sql;
create table &output. as
(
select * from  &first.
except
select * from  &second.
)
union
(
select * from  &second.
except
select * from  &first.
)
;
quit;
%mend;
proc datasets library=work kill memtype=data nolist nodetails;
quit;
%compare_dsn(first= folder1.x1,second= folder2.x2 , output=x)
%compare_dsn(first= folder1.y1,second= folder2.y2 , output=y)

/*generate the comparing report   */
proc sql;
select memname,ifc(nlobs=0,'Y','N') as equal
 from dictionary.tables 
  where libname='WORK' ;
quit;

[SASuserlot]

Thank you @Ksharp .