Date:         Wed, 21 Dec 2005 06:50:05 -0700
Reply-To:     Alan Churchill <SASL001@SAVIAN.NET>
Sender:       "SAS(r) Discussion" <SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From:         Alan Churchill <SASL001@SAVIAN.NET>
Subject:      Re: Where can I find
In-Reply-To:  <BAY103-F14E766C5AE97E839FCCAC5B0310@phx.gbl>
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I would go long and use XML. CSV doesn't contain any metadata and SAS
datasets use metadata.

If you use XML, make sure you embed a schema into it. I'm pretty sure SAS
will pick up that schema and not have to pass through the data first to
determine data types (SAX processing).

I wouldn't be surprised if future SAS datasets become XML based. Current SAS
datasets are extremely constrained on metadata whereas XML has no limits.

Alan

Alan Churchill
Savian "Bridging SAS and Microsoft Technologies"
www.savian.net


-----Original Message-----
From: SAS(r) Discussion [mailto:SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU] On Behalf Of David L
Cassell
Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2005 11:36 PM
To: SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
Subject: Re: Where can I find

email@EMAIL.COM wrote:
>Where can I find the sas file data file format information. I need to be
>able to create an SAS file from another application and am having trouble
>finding the definition.  Thanks in advance for any help

It's proprietary.

You can probably get it from SAS Institute, if you have a few million to
spare in
your bank account, and you're willing to sign an NDA.  You may also have to
give Jim Goodnight your firstborn male child.  Check the small print on that
one.
:-)  :-)

A more reasonable approach might be to write the data to a file which SAS
can
then read directly.  XML would work, as would CSV, etc.  Check what you have
available with PROC IMPORT and that will determine your options.

HTH,
David
--
David L. Cassell
mathematical statistician
Design Pathways
3115 NW Norwood Pl.
Corvallis OR 97330

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