Usage Note 11159: Specifying a UNIX file system directory for the WORK library is experimental in SAS® 9.1
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Background Information: In a single-user SAS session or job, the WORK library is typically created at the beginning of a SAS session or job and deleted at the end. Multi-user SAS servers also create a WORK library (referred to as a client work library) for each client that connects to the server. Client work libraries contain the temporary files created as part of the processing done by the server on behalf of the client. The server creates a distinct client work library for each client so that files used by one client are not intermingled with files belonging to another client. Client work libraries are created when the client establishes a connection with the server, and a client work library exists until the associated client disconnects.
Placing the WORK library in a UFS directory eliminates the need to specify the amount of space which is allocated to the WORK library (including client work libraries). This feature is particularly valuable for multi-user SAS servers because the space requirements for individual client work libraries might vary widely and be difficult to predict. When you place your WORK library in a UFS directory, each WORK library uses only the space it actually needs for the files that are created, and this space is drawn from all the free space available in the Unix file system in which the directory is located.
To use UFS libraries, specify the path to the directory in which the WORK library (or libraries) will reside with the SAS system option WORK, as shown in the following example:
SAS recommends that the specified UFS path correspond to a directory that has its sticky bit turned on. When the sticky bit is on for a directory, directories that are contained within that directory can be removed only by the owner of the directory, the owner of the directory that is being deleted, or by a superuser. This setting allows multiple SAS users to place temporary directories in the same location without the risk of accidentally deleting each other's files. You should not use the /tmp directory, as filling up this directory can cause your entire operating system to crash.
When WORK resides in UFS, specify the SAS system option WORKTERM to cause SAS to remove the WORK library subdirectories and their contents when they are no longer needed. For more information about using WORKTERM, see WORKTERM System Option in the z/OS Companion.
Avoid allocating the DDNAME WORK (if possible), or allocate the minimum amount of space, because the data set allocated to the DDNAME WORK is not used when a UFS path is specified for the WORK option.
Operating System and Release Information
| Product Family | Product | System | SAS Release | |
| Reported | Fixed* | |||
| SAS System | Base SAS | z/OS | 9.1 TS1M0 | |
| Type: | Usage Note |
| Priority: | |
| Topic: | Data Management ==> Access ==> SAS I/O |
| Date Modified: | 2010-07-16 16:41:15 |
| Date Created: | 2003-10-29 11:16:12 |