Overview of Debugging and Testing DATA Steps

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Debugging and Testing DATA Steps

Lesson Overview

Introduction

In this lesson, you will learn how the DATA step processes SAS programs and several basic techniques for preventing and correcting common DATA step errors.

You'll learn about the program data vector, the logical framework SAS uses when creating data sets. Understanding how the program data vector works can help you anticipate the way variables are created and processed, plan your modifications, and interpret and debug program errors.

PDV writes to new data set

This lesson contains 32 pages and takes approximately 45-60 minutes to complete.

Objectives
In this lesson, you learn

how SAS processes a DATA step
how to debug a DATA step
how to test your programs.

Prerequisites
Before taking this lesson, you should have completed the following lessons:
Introduction to SAS Programming

Working in the SAS Environment
Basic Concepts
Editing and Debugging SAS Programs
Setting Up Your SAS Session

Creating SAS Data Sets (at least one of the following)

Merging SAS Data Sets
Reading and Concatenating SAS Data Sets

Creating and Modifying Variables

Creating Variables