Raw Data Files

Reading Raw Data

Raw Data Files

A raw data file is an external text file whose records contain data values organized in fields. The sample raw data files in SAS OnlineTutor are shown with a ruler to help you identify where individual fields begin and end. The ruler is not part of the raw data file.

Sample raw data file

The table below describes the record layout for a raw data file that contains readings from exercise stress tests performed on patients at a wellness clinic. Exercise physiologists in the clinic use the test results to prescribe various exercise therapies. The file contains fixed fields; that is, values for each variable are in the same location on all records.

The measurements taken during the treadmill test include

resting heart rate
maximum heart rate
recovery heart rate
treadmill time in minutes
treadmill time in seconds
tolerance level compared with previous test measurements.

Field Name	Starting Column	Ending Column	Description of Field
ID	1	4	patient ID
Name	6	25	patient name
RestHR	27	29	resting heart rate
MaxHR	31	33	maximum heart rate during test
RecHR	35	37	recovery heart rate after test
TimeMin	39	40	time, complete minutes
TimeSec	42	43	time, seconds
Tolerance	45	45	comparison of stress test tolerance between this test and the last test (I=increased, D=decreased, S=same, N=no previous test)