SAS Libraries (4)

Basic Concepts

SAS Libraries

Storing Files Temporarily or Permanently

As you saw earlier in this lesson, depending on the library name that you use when you create a file, you can store SAS files temporarily or permanently.

A temporary library lasts only for the current SAS session.

Temporary files:

Temporary SAS files created during the session are held in the special work space that is assigned the default library name Work.

If you don't specify a library name when you create a file (or if you specify Work), the file is stored in the temporary library. When you end the session, the temporary library is deleted.

Permanent libraries are available to you during subsequent SAS sessions.

Permanent files:

To store files permanently in a SAS library, you specify a library name other than the default library name Work.

For example, by specifying the library name Clinic when you create a file, you specify that the file should be stored until you delete it.

Although files in libraries other than Work are stored permanently, the library name is not permanently assigned. You must assign the library name (or specify that SAS software assign it automatically) before referencing SAS files.