M-S

MDDB (multidimensional database)

a specialized data storage structure in which data is presummarized and cross-tabulated and then stored as individual cells in a matrix format, rather than in the row-and-column format of relational database tables. The source data can come either from a data warehouse or from other data sources. MDDBs can give users quick, unlimited views of multiple relationships in large quantities of summarized data.

member type

a SAS name that identifies the type of information that is stored in a SAS file. Member types include ACCESS, DATA, CATALOG, ITEMSTOR, MDDB, PROGRAM, and VIEW.

migrating SAS files

the process of moving SAS files (data and applications) from an operating environment that runs a particular version of SAS to another operating environment that runs a later version of SAS. Files are migrated in order to take advantage of features from the later version.

See also moving SAS files.

mixed library

a SAS data library that contains Version 6 SAS files as well as SAS files that were created using Version 7 or later. Although mixed libraries are permitted, their maintenance can be difficult.

See also SAS filename extension.

See also V9 engine.

See also V8 engine.

See also V7 engine.

See also V6 engine.

moving SAS files

the process of passing SAS files from one operating environment to another operating environment, either by means of magnetic media or across a network. Three specific variations of moving a SAS file are converting, copying, and transporting.

See also converting SAS files.

See also copying SAS files.

See also transporting SAS files.

multidimensional database (MDDB)

See MDDB (multidimensional database).

native file format

a relative term that compares the internal data representation of a file with that of an operating environment. If the internal formats are the same, the file format is considered to be native to the operating environment. For example, the format of a file that is created in a Windows operating environment is considered to be native to Windows operating environments. An operating environment can read, write, and update files that have a native format.

See also foreign file format.

precision

See data precision.

regressing SAS files

the process of moving SAS files from a particular version of SAS to an earlier version - for example, from SAS 9 to SAS Release 6.12. If the files created in the later version contain features such as integrity constraints that are not supported in the earlier version, then you cannot regress the files. Instead, you re-create the files in an operating environment that runs the later version of SAS.

restoring transport files

the process of returning SAS transport files to their original form (SAS data library, SAS catalog, or SAS data set) in the format that is appropriate to the target operating environment. Restoration is performed using either of two techniques, as appropriate: 1) the COPY procedure to restore a SAS transport file that was created by the COPY procedure with the XPORT engine, 2) the CIMPORT procedure to restore a SAS transport file that was created by the CPORT procedure. Restoring is also referred to as reading or importing transport files.

See also importing transport files.

SAS catalog

a SAS file that stores many different kinds of information in smaller units called catalog entries. A single SAS catalog can contain several different types of catalog entries.

See also SAS catalog entry.

SAS catalog entry

a separate storage unit within a SAS catalog. Each entry has an entry type that identifies its purpose to SAS. Some catalog entries contain system information such as key definitions. Other catalog entries contain application information such as window definitions, Help windows, formats, informats, macros, or graphics output.

See also entry type.

SAS data file

a type of SAS data set that contains data values as well as descriptor information that is associated with the data. The descriptor information includes information such as the data types and lengths of the variables , as well as the name of the engine that was used to create the data. SAS data files are of member type DATA.

See also SAS data set.

See also SAS data view.

SAS data library

a collection of one or more SAS files that are recognized by SAS and which are referenced and stored as a unit. Each file is a member of the library.

SAS data set

a file whose contents are in one of the native SAS file formats. There are two types of SAS data sets: SAS data files and SAS data views. SAS data files contain data values in addition to descriptor information that is associated with the data. SAS data views contain only the descriptor information plus other information that is required for retrieving data values from other SAS data sets or from files whose contents are in other software vendors ' file formats.

See also descriptor information.

SAS data view

a type of SAS data set that retrieves data values from other files. A SAS data view contains only descriptor information such as the data types and lengths of the variables ( columns ), plus other information that is required for retrieving data values from other SAS data sets or from files that are stored in other software vendors' file formats. SAS data views are of member type VIEW.

SAS filename extension

a standard filename identifier that conveys information about these file attributes: 1) the SAS engine that was used to create the file, 2) the architecture of the operating environment in which the file was created, and 3) the member type. SAS uses filename extensions to identify the appropriate files for access.

See also architectural compatibility.

See also member type.

See also V9 engine.

See also V8 engine.

See also V7 engine.

SAS/SHARE client

a SAS session that requests access to remote data by means of a SAS/SHARE server.

See also SAS/SHARE server.

SAS/SHARE server

the result of an execution of the SERVER procedure. The SERVER procedure is part of SAS/SHARE software. A server runs in a separate SAS execution that services users' SAS sessions by controlling and executing input and output requests to one or more SAS data libraries.

source operating environment

the operating environment from which you move a SAS file.