Overview of Version Compatibility

When you migrate to Version 8, you'll want to seamlessly access your existing data and programs. You may also need to operate with both Version 8 and an earlier release simultaneously. Therefore, a major goal of Version 8 is to provide the most transparent access possible to SAS files from earlier releases. Accordingly, the Version 8 SAS System provides access to all Version 7 files and most Version 6 files without converting them.

Accessing a SAS data library and its members is essentially the same in Version 8 as it is in earlier releases. Depending on the type of SAS file and the SAS version being used, compatibility issues are generally handled

automatically by the SAS System
by specifying an engine in a LIBNAME statement or with the ENGINE= system option
by converting a file.

Note: This information explains version compatibility for SAS files in base SAS software for a single operating environment. For related documentation, consult the following SAS documents:

For platform-dependent compatibility issues, see the SAS documentation for your operating environment.
The SAS/SHARE User's Guide and the SAS/CONNECT User's Guide contain specific information for those products regarding file compatibility.
For information on moving SAS files between operating environments, see Moving and Accessing SAS Files across Operating Environments.

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