DUMPSAS - Create a text data file from a SAS system file

DUMPSAS

Synopsis

%macro dumpsas( data=_LAST_        ,   /* Sas Data Set name            */
                fileref=DUMP       ,   /* SAS Fileref/DDname           */
                linesize=, ls=80   ,   /* Linesize of external file    */
                width=9            ,   /* Default Field width          */
                compare=NO         ,   /* Add code to compare datasets */
                special=           ,   /* Vars needing wider fields    */
                specwid=24         );  /*   Field width for above      */

Example

1. Connect to the STATS disk on CMS by running the command,

   GETDISK STATS
   

2. Create the following SAS program (DUMPIT SAS A)

   %include dumpsas ;
   libname pools V5 '*';
    %dumpsas( data=pools.catdata ,
              fileref=catdata sas);
   

3. Run the program

   sas dumpit
   

   Note that for SAS Version 5 system files, the V5 keyword must be specified on the LIBNAME statement. This is unnecessary for Version 6 system files.

   This example assumes that all numeric variables will fit within the default field width (9). If not, the names of these variables should be specified using the SPECIAL= and SPECWID= parameters. The width of character variables is handled automatically.

Macro parameters

DATA=

Names the SAS Data set to dump from, usually the "two-part" name of a permanent SAS data set. Default: the last-created data set.

FILEREF=

Name the SAS Fileref identifing the external file to contain the data. CMS users must include the DISP MOD option on the FILEDEF command defining the enternal file. On some operating systems, the external file name may be used instead of the fileref (CMS, PC DOS). If not specified, the macro creates the fileref.

LINESIZE=

Specifies the linesize of the external data file. This value MUST be greater than or equal to the length of the longest character variable. You may also need to include the linesize information on the operating system command used to allocate the external file. The default 80.

WIDTH=

Specifies the default field width for numeric variables. The default width is 9.

COMPARE=

If COMPARE=YES, additional SAS statements are included in the file that allow the reconstructed SAS Data set to be compared with the original. Variables that do not compare are usually the result of a field width too small to maintain precision.

SPECIAL=

Specifies a list of numeric variable names that require a wider field in order to maintain precision

SPECWID=

Specifies the field width used for the variables listed in the SPECIAL= parameter.

Credit