Proc Contents Vs Proc Datasets

[arunvaibhav]

Hello All,

I'm trying to understand the basic difference between PROC CONTENTS and PROC DATASETS, but have no clear idea.

Can any one please explain the basic difference between these along with some examples?

Appreciate your effort.

Thanks.

[Reeza]

Proc contents is a subset of proc datasets, but PROC datasets can do more than proc contents, for example modify variable labels or formats. Proc contents can read sequential files, PROC datasets, contents statement cannot. 

[arunvaibhav]

I'm sorry. Can you please provide some more details?

Thanks for the quick response. 

What is a sequential file in this context? Why PROC DATASETS cannot read it?

Thanks!

[RW9]

Yes, this is exactly what the Manual is for:

Proc contents:

https://support.sas.com/documentation/cdl/en/hostwin/63047/HTML/default/viewer.htm#p02vdgvofvi65sn12...

Proc datasets:

http://support.sas.com/documentation/cdl/en/hostwin/63047/HTML/default/viewer.htm#n0yyy9zscyifkln1i8...

Contents lists the dataset metadata (structure).  Datasets does a lot more on top of that.