ALTER= Table Option

Assigns an ALTER password to a data set that prevents users from replacing or deleting the file, and enables access to a Read- or Write-protected file.

Category: Table Control
Data source: SAS data set, SPD Engine data set
Note: Check your log after this operation to ensure that the password values are not visible. For more information, see “Blotting Passwords and Encryption Key Values” in SAS Language Reference: Concepts.
Syntax
Arguments
Details

Syntax

ALTER= alter-password

Arguments

alter-password

specifies a password.

Restriction alter-password must be a valid SAS name.

Details

The ALTER= table option applies only to a SAS data set or an SPD Engine data set. You can use this option to assign a password or to access a Read-protected, Write-protected, or alter-protected file. When you replace a data set that is protected with an ALTER password, the new data set inherits the ALTER password.
Note: A SAS password does not control access to a SAS file beyond the SAS system. You should use the operating system-supplied utilities and file-system security controls to control access to SAS files outside of SAS.
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Last updated: February 23, 2017