new data set with metadata of an existing data set?

[Eva]

Dear all,

I's like to create a new data set that has exactely the same fields as an existing data set. And the fields should all have the same definitions, i.e. char/num and their lengths. How can I do this? Is it possible to "copy" a dataset without its data rows?

(After I have this empty new dataset I'd like to insert just one row with the values I assign.)

Best wishes,

Eva

[Eva]

I found a solution in the manaul for prc sql and the create table statement:

proc sql;

     /* create same table but empty */

     create table work.calss like sashelp.class;

     /* insert new row */

     insert into work.class

     set

     name='Eva',

     sex='F',

     age='99',

     height=123,

     weight=888;

quit;

[LinusH]

Like works nice, but it does not copy any index information to the target table.

If you want that, you can use PROC APPEND with a non existing BASE table.

This will result that the BASE table will be created, using the metadata from the DATA table.

Proc Append Base=Want Data=Have(obs=0);

Run;

/Linus

[Haikuo]

If using Datastep, you could also try:

data have;

name='Eva1';

     sex='F1';

     age='991';

     height=1231;

     weight=8881;

run;

data want;

if 0 then set have;

name='Eva';

      sex='F';

      age='99';

      height=123;

      weight=888;

      run;

Regards,

Haikuo