- data set option
-
a SAS language element that specifies actions that apply only to a particular SAS data set. For example, data set options enable you to rename variables, to select only the first or last in observations for processing, to drop variables from processing or from the output data set, and to specify a password for a SAS data set.
- descriptor information
-
information about the contents and attributes of a SAS data set. SAS creates and maintains descriptor information within every SAS data set.
- dialog box
-
a type of window that opens to prompt you for additional information or to ask you to confirm a request.
- directory
-
a named subdivision on a disk or diskette used in organizing files. A directory also contains information about the file such as size and date of last change.
- download
-
to copy a file from the remote host to the local host.
- drag
-
to press and hold a mouse button while moving the mouse.
- engine
-
a component of SAS software that reads from or writes to a file. Each engine allows SAS to access files with a particular format. There are several types of engines.
See also interface engine.
See also library engine.
See also native engine.
See also view engine.
- environment variable
-
in UNIX environments, a shell variable whose value or values can be accessed by any program that is executed from that shell. The shell assigns default values to some environment variables. For example, the type of terminal and the type of command prompt are specified by the default values of two environment variables.
- error message
-
a message in the SAS log or Message window that indicates that SAS was not able to continue processing the program.
- external file
-
a file that is maintained by the host operating environment or by some software product. SAS can read data from and route output to external files. External files can contain raw data, SAS programming statements, procedure output, or output that was created by the PUT statement. An external file is not a SAS data set.
- file descriptor
-
under UNIX operating systems, a nonnegative integer identifier used to refer to a file opened for reading or writing or both.
- file extension
-
the classification of a file in a directory that identifies what type of information is stored in the file. For example, .SCAT is the file extension for SAS catalogs.
See also member type.
- fileref
-
a name that is temporarily assigned to an external file or to an aggregate storage location such as a directory or folder. The fileref identifies the file or the storage location to SAS.
Under the UNIX operating system and its derivatives, you can assign a fileref with a FILENAME statement, or you can define it as an environment variable.
- font
-
a complete set of all the characters of the same design and style. The characters in a font can be figures or symbols as well as alphanumeric characters.
- foreground process
-
in UNIX environments, a process that executes while you wait for the command prompt to reappear. You cannot execute additional commands while the initial command is being executed in a foreground process.
- function key
-
a keyboard key that can be defined to have a specific action in a specific software environment. For example, Keypad 3 is defined as PASTE in the PROGRAM EDITOR window, but in the context of the FSEDIT procedure, Keypad 3 is defined as DUP.
- home directory
-
under UNIX operating systems, the directory in which a user is placed after logging in. The home directory is also called the login directory.
- icon
-
in windowing environments, a pictorial representation of an object. An icon usually represents a window or an object associated with an action such as printing or filing.
- index
-
in SAS software, a component of a SAS data set that enables SAS to access observations in the SAS data set quickly and efficiently . The purpose of SAS indexes is to optimize WHERE-clause processing and facilitate BY- group processing.
- interactive line mode
-
a method of running SAS programs in which you enter one line of a SAS program at a time at the SAS session prompt. SAS processes each line immediately after you press the ENTER or RETURN key. Procedure output and informative messages are returned directly to the display device.
- interface engine
-
a SAS engine that reads and writes file formats supported by other vendors ' software.
See also engine.
See also native engine.
- interior window
-
a window within an application workspace that is controlled by SAS. SAS/ASSIST software is an example of an application with interior windows .
See also application work space (AWS).