Letter for format source stands for?

[stataq]

Hello,

When we run proc sql with dictionary.formats, we can get following information:

Could any one tell me what 'B', 'U', 'C' stands for in col 'source'?

Thanks.

[ChrisNZ · Accepted solution]

From what I could see:

• C means custom format (used-defined).
• B means part of the SAS Base internal definitions.
• U means coming from an external module. These modules are found in the SASFoundation/9.4/sasexe directory.
  For example formats B8601C* come from module UWIB8601. There is a file matching each module name in your sasexe directory.

[ChrisNZ]

There's more information here https://support.sas.com/resources/papers/proceedings17/SAS0209-2017.pdf