Chapter 3: Helpful PROCs for Managing Data

The purpose of this chapter is to introduce a few helpful PROCs and data step maneuvers that can be particularly useful when managing a Statistical Analysis System (SAS) data warehouse. First, the chapter will describe how to use PROC CONTENTS to understand what is in a dataset. Next, the use of SAS formats and SAS labels to attach metadata to variables and values will be covered. The chapter will demonstrate examples of applying labels, user-defined formats, and SAS native formats to variables. We will also go over what happens when leaders of a SAS data warehouse choose to use SAS labels and formats in the warehouse. If labels and formats are used, the data will display differently in SAS windows and certain PROCs, which may or may not be desired. Also, the choice to maintain labels and formats adds a specific type of management layer to the data warehouse, which is described along with alternatives to using labels and formats. Finally,...