Referencing Many Files Efficiently

When you use many files from a single aggregate storage location, such as a directory or partitioned data set (PDS or MACLIB), you can use a single fileref, followed by a filename enclosed in parentheses, to access the individual files. This saves time by eliminating the need to type a long file storage location name repeatedly. It also makes changing the program easier later if you change the file storage location. The following table shows an example of assigning a fileref to an aggregate storage location:

Referencing Many Files Efficiently
External File Task Tool Example

Assign a fileref to aggregate storage location. FILENAME
filename mydir 'directory-or-PDS-name';

Specify the file that contains input data. INFILE
data weight; infile mydir(qrt1.data); input idno $ week1 week16; loss=week1-week16;

Specify the file that the PUT statement writes to. (table note 1) FILE
file mydir(awards); if loss ge 5 then put idno loss 'AWARD STATUS=3'; else if loss ge 10 then put idno loss 'AWARD STATUS=2'; else if loss ge 15 then put idno loss 'AWARD STATUS=1'; run;

Bring statements or raw data from another file into your SAS job and execute them. %INCLUDE %include mydir(whole.program);

***Referencing Many Files Efficiently***
External File Task	Tool	Example
Assign a fileref to aggregate storage location.	FILENAME	filename mydir 'directory-or-PDS-name';
Specify the file that contains input data.	INFILE	data weight; infile mydir(qrt1.data); input idno $ week1 week16; loss=week1-week16;
Specify the file that the PUT statement writes to. (table note 1)	FILE	file mydir(awards); if loss ge 5 then put idno loss 'AWARD STATUS=3'; else if loss ge 10 then put idno loss 'AWARD STATUS=2'; else if loss ge 15 then put idno loss 'AWARD STATUS=1'; run;
Bring statements or raw data from another file into your SAS job and execute them.	%INCLUDE	`%include mydir(whole.program);`

TABLE NOTE 1:

SAS creates a file that is named with the appropriate extension for your operating environment.

Operating Environment Information: The CMS operating environment does not allow write access to an aggregate MACLIB. [cautionend]

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