Terminology

A PROC SQL table is the same as a SAS data file. It is a SAS file of type DATA. PROC SQL tables consist of rows and columns. The rows correspond to observations in SAS data files, and the columns correspond to variables. The following table lists equivalent terms that are used in SQL, SAS, and traditional data processing.

You can create and modify tables by using the SAS DATA step, or by using the PROC SQL statements that are described in Creating and Updating Tables and Views. Other SAS procedures and the DATA step can read and update tables that are created with PROC SQL.

SAS data files can have a one-level name or a two-level name. Typically, the names of temporary SAS data files have only one level, and the data files are stored in the WORK library. PROC SQL assumes that SAS data files that are specified with a one-level name are to be read from or written to the WORK library, unless you specify a USER library. You can assign a USER library with a LIBNAME statement or with the SAS system option USER=. For more information about how to work with SAS data files and libraries, see “Temporary and Permanent SAS Data Sets” in Chapter 2 of Base SAS Procedures Guide.

DBMS tables are tables that were created with other software vendors' database management systems. PROC SQL can connect to, update, and modify DBMS tables, with some restrictions. For more information, see Accessing a DBMS with SAS/ACCESS Software.

Queries retrieve data from a table, view, or DBMS. A query returns a query result, which consists of rows and columns from a table. With PROC SQL, you use a SELECT statement and its subordinate clauses to form a query. Retrieving Data from a Single Table describes how to build a query.

PROC SQL views do not actually contain data as tables do. Rather, a PROC SQL view contains a stored SELECT statement or query. The query executes when you use the view in a SAS procedure or DATA step. When a view executes, it displays data that is derived from existing tables, from other views, or from SAS/ACCESS views. Other SAS procedures and the DATA step can use a PROC SQL view as they would any SAS data file. For more information about views, see Creating and Updating Tables and Views.

According to the ANSI standard for SQL, a missing value is called a null value. It is not the same as a blank or zero value. However, to be compatible with the rest of SAS, PROC SQL treats missing values the same as blanks or zero values, and considers all three to be null values. This important concept comes up in several places in this document.