Features of the DATA Step Interface

The DATA step interface enables you to access CA-IDMS data by traversing the network using DML program functions calls. You cannot access data through Computer Associate's Logical Record Facility (LRF).

The DATA step interface is a programming interface. You do not have to create descriptor files to retrieve the CA-IDMS data requested by your application.

Coding DATA step programs requires knowledge of the database that is being accessed and the ability to write host-level calls to retrieve CA-IDMS data. In order to provide transparent access to CA-IDMS data, you can store compiled DATA step programs as SAS DATA step views.