Using Hash Objects as Lookup Tables
Overview
Beginning
with SAS 9, the hash object is available for use in a DATA step. The
hash object provides an efficient, convenient mechanism for quick
data storage and retrieval.
Unlike an array, which
uses a series of consecutive integers to address array elements, a
hash object can use any combination of numeric and character values
as addresses. Also unlike arrays, which return only a single value,
hash objects can return multiple values from a given lookup. A hash
object can be loaded from hardcoded values or a SAS data set, is sized
dynamically, and exists for the duration of the DATA step.
The hash object is a good choice for lookups that use unordered data that can fit into memory because it provides ...
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