Where statement vs where data set option

[nkm123]

Is there any processing difference between where statement or where = data set option?

Data temp;

set temp1(where = (state = 'NJ');

run;

Data temp;

set temp1;

where state = 'NJ';

run;

which is better in terms of performance? I know we will get same result but is there any performace improvement if use as datas set option compare to sas statement. 

Thanks,

[Astounding]

There is no difference in speed, and no difference in how the processing takes place.

Differences are in the flexibility when using more than one incoming SAS data set.  Examples:

data both;

merge a b;

by state;

where gender='M';

run;

Now the WHERE statement applies to both incoming data sets, so GENDER must appear in both.  Compare that with:

data both;

merge a (where=(gender='M'))  b (where=(age > 21));

by state;

run;

By using WHERE as a data set option, separate conditions can be applied to each incoming DATA set.  A stand-alone WHERE statement would not be possible to accomplish the same task.