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This feature allows obtaining a detailed description of the content of a SAS© data set, including its variables, their attributes (type, length, format, informat, label) and extended attributes. The example uses the CONTENTS statement of PROC DATASETS to analyze a specific data set, hiding the list of files in the library using the NOLIST option, and redirecting the output to a new data set.
Data Analysis
Type : CREATION_INTERNE
The example creates a dummy 'group' data set in a 'health' library to ensure its autonomy, before describing its content.
1 Code Block
PROC DATASETS / DATA STEP Data
Explanation :
This example first configures system options for page and line size, suppresses the date, and sets the initial page number. It then defines a LIBNAME 'health' and creates a dummy 'group' data set with inline data to ensure the example's autonomy. PROC DATASETS is called with the NOLIST option to suppress the display of the library directory. The CONTENTS statement is used to describe the 'group' data set, with the (read=green) option which allows data to be read, and the output is saved to the 'grpout' data set. A title is also specified for the output.
This example first configures system options for page and line size, suppresses the date, and sets the initial page number. It then defines a LIBNAME 'health' and creates a dummy 'group' data set with inline data to ensure the example's autonomy. PROC DATASETS is called with the NOLIST option to suppress the display of the library directory. The CONTENTS statement is used to describe the 'group' data set, with the (read=green) option which allows data to be read, and the output is saved to the 'grpout' data set. A title is also specified for the output.
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| 1 | options pagesize=40 linesize=80 nodate pageno=1; |
| 2 | |
| 3 | LIBNAME health 'SAS-library'; |
| 4 | |
| 5 | * Create a dummy 'group' data set for autonomy; |
| 6 | DATA health.group; |
| 7 | INPUT ID Name $ Score; |
| 8 | DATALINES; |
| 9 | 101 Alice 85 |
| 10 | 102 Bob 92 |
| 11 | 103 Charlie 78 |
| 12 | ; |
| 13 | RUN; |
| 14 | |
| 15 | PROC DATASETS library=health nolist; |
| 16 | contents DATA=group (read=green) out=grpout; |
| 17 | title 'The Contents of the GROUP Data Set'; |
| 18 | RUN; |
| 19 | QUIT; |
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Expert Advice
Stéphanie
Spécialiste Machine Learning et IA.
« While PROC CONTENTS is a common choice for quick inspections, using PROC DATASETS with the CONTENTS statement is the preferred "expert" approach for managing SAS libraries. It is more efficient because it allows you to manage, rename, and describe multiple files within a single step without closing and reopening the library.
When using this method, always include the OUT= option as shown in your code. This transforms the visual report into a structured SAS data set, allowing you to programmatically validate variable types or lengths before running complex transformations. Additionally, using the NOLIST option is a best practice in production environments to suppress unnecessary output and improve processing speed. »
When using this method, always include the OUT= option as shown in your code. This transforms the visual report into a structured SAS data set, allowing you to programmatically validate variable types or lengths before running complex transformations. Additionally, using the NOLIST option is a best practice in production environments to suppress unnecessary output and improve processing speed. »