SAS Datasets/Tables and SAS programs migration from Mainframes to Linux

[vijayanand]

Hi,

My requirement is to migrate the SAS application programs and  SAS datasets  (of SAS 9.1.3) which currently are on Mainfrmaes to Linux with the version upgradation of SAS 9.4. Once the data and programs are migrated, my Linux environemnt shoudl produce the same results as teh current Mainframes environment is producing, but with better performace. Can somebody help me with the answers to my following questions.

1) Would there be any challenge in using CIMPORT in Linux (SAS 9.4) as CPORT on mainframes would prepare the transport files using sas 9.1.3?

2) To move the SAS datasets, is there a better option than using CPORT and CIMPORT. I assume that CPORT and CIMPORT procedures would automatically handle the EBCDIC to ASCII conversion.

3) What is the best way of migrating the application programs from mainframes (SAS 9.1.3) to Linux(SAS 9.4).  What changes do these sas programs require in the target environment in general and any other possible challenges.

4) How can I use PROC MIGRATE in the context of migrating data and application program.

Thanks.

[Reeza]

#3 is going to be long and cumbersome. How many programs do you have? What type of programs are they, data manipulation, statistical analysis, reporting? 

Between 9.1 and 9.4 there have been a lot of changes especially in the graphing Procs. 

PS 9.1 to 9.4 is moving 10-12 years. 

[LinusH]

1) Be sure to transfer files in binary mode. Other than that, see your question 2)

2) I'm not sure about this. TYou need to verify this statement.

3) SAS programs are plain text files. Changes required is anything that points to the host, like file names/location, librefs etc. Unfortunately, I think this quite a manual work. Be aware of that many settings are allowed in ZOS cards, you need to decide where to put SAS sessions settings in the new environment, like on the SAS command, config/autoexec (which?)...

The you might have stuff in catalogs. But that will probably work with CPORT.

4) See the doc for explanations.

A part from this, there's migration calculator, and much other tools for migration in the Migration focus area at support.sas.com that should be helpful to you.

[SASKiwi]

2) CPORT / CIMPORT is the best way. CPORT on the mainframe will create an ASCII transport file. From memory I think you have to ensure the transport file is fixed block - FB - with 80 character record length.

You then transfer it to Linux using binary mode where CIMPORT should be able to read it without any more modification. There shouldn't be any issues moving between SAS versions. 

[error_prone]

3) You have to change all libname, filename, infile an file statement (at least). An be aware, that differences in numeric precision exist, see http://support.sas.com/documentation/cdl/en/lrcon/68089/HTML/default/viewer.htm#p0ji1unv6thm0dn1gp4t... for details.