How It Works

By using the SAS formats publishing macro for DB2, Greenplum, Netezza, and Teradata, you can generate a SAS_PUT( ) function that enables you to execute PUT function calls inside the database. You can reference the formats that SAS supplies and most custom formats that you create by using PROC FORMAT.

The SAS formats publishing macro takes a SAS format catalog and publishes it to the database. Inside the database, a SAS_PUT( ) function, which emulates the PUT function, is created and registered for use in SQL queries.

For Aster, the SAS_PUT( ) function is installed as part of the SAS Embedded Process. For more information, see the SAS In-Database Products: Administrator's Guide.

Process Flow Diagram

Here is the basic process flow.

1	Install the components that are necessary for in-database processing. For more information, see Deployed Components for In-Database Processing. Note: This is a one-time installation process.
2	If necessary, create your custom formats by using PROC FORMAT and create a permanent catalog by using the LIBRARY= option. For more information, see the topic on user-defined formats in the section for your database.
3	Start SAS and run the format publishing macro. For DB2, Greenplum, Netezza, and Teradata, this macro creates the files that are needed to build the SAS_PUT( ) function and publishes those files to the database. For more information, see the topic on publishing SAS formats in the section for your database.
4	After the format publishing macro creates the script, SAS/ACCESS Interface to your database executes the script and publishes the files to the database. For more information, see the topic on publishing SAS formats in the section for your database.
5	The SAS_PUT( ) function is available to use in any SQL expression and to use typically wherever you use your database’s built-in functions. For more information, see the topic on using the SAS_PUT( ) function in the section for your database.