Introduction to DATA Step Functions for Metadata

Overview of DATA Step Functions for Metadata

The metadata DATA step functions provide a programming-based interface to create and maintain metadata in the SAS Metadata Server. Alternatively, you can perform metadata tasks by using a product like SAS Management Console. However, with DATA step functions, you can write a SAS program and submit it in batch. You can store information in a data set, create your own customized reports, or use information in an existing data set to update metadata. The DATA step provides broad flexibility with IF-THEN/ELSE conditional logic, DO loops, and more.

This book documents two categories of DATA step functions:

Before you can use the metadata DATA step functions, you must issue the metadata system options to establish a connection with the metadata server. For more information, see Connection Options.

For help in forming your DATA step, see the following references:

For information about metadata objects, see SAS Metadata Model: Reference.
For information about administering metadata, see the SAS Intelligence Platform: System Administration Guide.
For information about using functions in a DATA step, see SAS Language Reference: Dictionary.
For information about DATA step concepts, see SAS Language Reference: Concepts.

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