Combining and Modifying SAS® Data Sets: Examples Second Edition

Understanding the Tools for Combining SAS Data Sets

Once you understand the basics of establishing relationships among data and the ways you can combine SAS data sets, you can choose from a variety of SAS tools for accessing, combining, and processing your data. Table 1.1 lists and briefly describes the primary tools that are featured in this book. The remainder of the section describes in more detail some of the choices to make in determining how to combine and modify your data sets.

Table 1.1. Tools for Combining SAS Data Sets

Class of Tool	Statement, PROC, or Other Tool	Action Performed	Sequential	Direct	Can Use with BY Statement	Comments
DATA Step Statements	SET	Reads an observation from one or more SAS data sets.	X	X	X	Use KEY = or POINT= to access data ...