The METADATA procedure sends an XML string to the SAS Metadata Server. In SAS 9.3, depending on the value in the METHOD= argument, DOREQUEST or STATUS, the IN= argument can contain a SAS Open Metadata Interface method call that is formatted for the IOMI DoRequest method. (This is legacy behavior.) Or, it can contain an XML element that is supported in the IServer Status method.

The IOMI DoRequest method is a messaging interface for SAS Open Metadata Interface methods. It accepts all methods from the IOMI server interface, which consists of methods for reading and writing metadata. It also accepts the IServer Status method, which supports options for monitoring the server and its configuration.

The ability to issue Status requests outside of DoRequest is important because the DoRequest interface is not available when the SAS Metadata Server is paused. METHOD=STATUS enables you to use PROC METADATA to get SAS Metadata Server status information while the SAS Metadata Server is paused.

For more information, see Concepts: METADATA Procedure.

The METAOPERATE procedure and the metadata DATA step functions can perform some of the same tasks as the METADATA procedure. For more information, see Comparison of the METADATA Procedure and the METAOPERATE Procedure.