Accessing SAS Data Sets

Limitations

Accessing data that is stored in a SAS data set is a fundamental operation in SAS. Be aware of any limitations or restrictions when accessing data sets in a cross-version environment. Access to the data files is based on the SAS/CONNECT service that is used, and whether the data files use any new features that are in SAS releases after SAS 6.

SAS 6 Client Accessing a SAS 8 (or later) Server

This table summarizes the limitations of a SAS 6 client that accesses SAS data sets on a SAS 8 (or later) server in a cross-version environment.

Limitations for Accessing SAS Data Sets on SAS 8 (or Later) from SAS 6

SAS/CONNECT Service	SAS 6 Client Connecting to SAS 9 Server	SAS 6 Client Connecting to SAS 8 Server
Remote Library Services	No access is permitted between a SAS 6 client and a SAS 9 server.	If SAS 8 data sets on a SAS 8 server do not implement new features, a SAS 6 client can read, write, or update SAS 8 data sets on a SAS 8 server.
Data Transfer Services	All file formats are automatically converted when uploading or downloading a SAS 6 data set to a SAS 9 or SAS 8 target. If SAS 9 or SAS 8 data sets do not contain new features, they can be downloaded to a SAS 6 target. Truncation rules are applied.
Compute Services	A SAS 6 client can remotely submit a SAS program to a SAS 9 or SAS 8 server. The data sets that are referenced in the remote submit blocks can be SAS 9, SAS 8, or SAS 6 data sets.

SAS 8 (or Later) Client Accessing a SAS 6 Server

This table summarizes the limitations of a SAS 8 (or later) client that accesses data sets on a SAS 6 server in a cross-version environment.

Limitations for Accessing Data Sets on SAS 6 from SAS 8 (or Later)

SAS/CONNECT Service	SAS 9 Client Connecting to a SAS 6 Server	SAS 8 Client Connecting to a SAS 6 Server
Remote Library Services	No access is permitted between a SAS 9 client and a SAS 6 server.	If SAS 6 data files do not implement new features, a SAS 8 client can read, write, or update SAS 6 data files on a SAS 6 server.
Data Transfer Services	All data formats are automatically converted when uploading or downloading a SAS 6 file to a SAS 9 or SAS 8 target. If SAS 9 or SAS 8 data files do not contain new features, they can be uploaded to a SAS 6 target. Truncation rules are applied.
Compute Services	A SAS 9 or SAS 8 client can remote submit a SAS program to a SAS 6 server. The data files that are referenced in the remote submit blocks can be formatted only as SAS 6 files.