Date:         Thu, 22 Jan 2009 12:44:07 -0500
Reply-To:     Ya Huang <ya.huang@AMYLIN.COM>
Sender:       "SAS(r) Discussion" <SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From:         Ya Huang <ya.huang@AMYLIN.COM>
Subject:      Is it a good idea to delete temp dataset?

Hi there,

Assume I have a macro loop through hundreds of ids, and for each id,
the macro will do many things which creates handful of temp datasets.
To avoid the misuse of the temp dataset by other id loop, I tend to
use proc datasets to delete them. But there is a cost for it, sometimes,
it take several seconds to delete these files, which add up to 10+
minutes.

I'm think about to name these temp dataset with the id, so that I don't
have to delete them. But this may bring in another cost, i.e. too many
temp dataset in WORK, which may also slow down the process.

Is there a way to 'delete' the dataset without physically delete the
file, like the 'quick format' really just remove the link?

Thanks

Ya