SAS/CONNECT User's Guide

Accessing SAS Data Sets

Accessing data that is stored in a SAS data set is a fundamental operation in the SAS System. Therefore, it is important to be aware of any limitations or restrictions when accessing data sets in a cross-version environment. Access to the data files is based on the SAS/CONNECT service that is used, and whether the data files employ any new Version 7 or Version 8 features. There are three SAS/CONNECT services that allow you to access data files in a cross-version environment:

Remote Library Services (RLS)
Data Transfer Services (DTS)
Compute Services (CS)

Version 6 Local Host Accessing a Version 7 or Version 8 Remote Host

This section summarizes the limitations of a Version 6 local host that accesses data sets on a Version 7 or Version 8 remote host in a cross-version environment.

Using remote library services, you have read, write, and update access to your Version 6, Version 7, and Version 8 SAS data sets on a Version 7 or Version 8 remote host if your Version 7 or Version 8 data files do not contain new Version 7 or Version 8 features.

Using data transfer services, all data format conversions are performed when transferring a data file and do not require any user invention. The UPLOAD procedure produces a Version 7 or Version 8 data file when transferring data files from a Version 6 local host. The DOWNLOAD procedure provides full support for the transfer of Version 6 data files residing on the remote host. However, Version 7 or Version 8 data files can be downloaded to a Version 6 local host and will follow the truncation rules described earlier, provided they do not contain any other Version 7 or Version 8 specific features.

Using compute services, a Version 6 local host can remote submit a SAS program to a Version 7 or Version 8 remote host. The data files that are referenced in the remote submit block can be Version 6, Version 7, or Version 8 data files.

Version 7 or Version 8 Local Host Accessing a Version 6 Remote Host

This section summarizes the limitations of a Version 7 or Version 8 local host that accesses data sets on a Version 6 remote host in a cross-version environment.

Using remote library services, a Version 7 or Version 8 local host can read, write, and update Version 6 data files on a Version 6 remote host if the Version 6 data files do not implement new Version 7 or Version 8 features.

Using data transfer services, a Version 7 or Version 8 data file can be uploaded to a Version 6 remote host and will follow the truncation rules describe earlier, provided they do not contain any other Version 7 or Version 8 specific features. The DOWNLOAD procedure transfers Version 6 data sets to the Version 7 or Version 8 local host.

Using compute services, a Version 7 or Version 8 local host can remote submit a SAS program to a Version 6 remote host. However, the programming statements that are referenced in the remote submit must not implement new Version 7 or Version 8 features.

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