SAS_PROC SQL_Temporary files

[Khaladdin]

Hi all,

I need to use PROC.SQL statements for my analysis. The problem is, SAS uses C disk in order to create temporary files when I use SQL statements. My datasets are very large and I do not have enough space for that. Could you please explain me how to allocate this temporary file in other place rather than C disk?

[Kurt_Bremser]

Use the -utilloc option, either in a config file or on the SAS commandline.

[Khaladdin]

how to use it?

[Kurt_Bremser]

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@Khaladdin wrote:
how to use it?

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I alreaady told you that. Which config file or shell script (commandline) depends on your SAS setup.

[Reeza]

The C drive is used when you're either

1. Accessing a DBMS but using functions that are not supported on the DBMS

2. Using data both in SAS and on the server - the data is then brought down the server to be processed. 

3. All your data is local. 

Identify which situation you're in first. 

If #3, there aren't any workarounds. 

If its 1/2 you can modify your query so that it's processed on the server instead. 

[SASKiwi]

One workaround is to compress your SAS datasets at the expense of slowing your programs down a bit. Put this at the start of your program. If you are lucky it might give you enough space to complete your job successfully. At the end of the day you may still need to put another hard drive in your PC. Warning - don't write SAS temporary files to a network drive unless you want your programs to run forever and seriously annoy IT administrators.

options compress = binary;

[Khaladdin]

I followed that link and it worked:

http://stats.idre.ucla.edu/sas/icu/customizing-sas-8-2/

[Reeza · Accepted solution]

Note that the solution you've linked to is a permanent change for where your WORK directory is stored. If that post answered your question, please mark it as the solution.