How SAS Processes Stored Compiled DATA Step Programs

You first compile the SAS source program and store the compiled code. Then, execute the compiled code, redirecting the input and output as necessary.

SAS processes the DATA step through the compilation phase and then stores an intermediate code representation of the program and associated data tables in a SAS file. SAS processes the intermediate code when it executes the stored program. The following figure shows the process for creating a stored compiled DATA step program.

When SAS executes the stored program, it resolves the intermediate code produced by the compiler and generates the executable machine code for that operating environment. The following figure shows the process for executing a stored compiled DATA step program.

To move, copy, rename, or delete stored programs, use the DATASETS procedure or the utility windows in your windowing environment.