If the system time is set backwards to a negative value while a SAS DATA step or procedure is running, the "real time" value reported in the SAS log will be negative.

When this situation occurs, the real time value is reported as a very large number, as this example shows:

  1? data; x=1; run;

NOTE: The data set WORK.DATA1 has 1 observations and 1 variables.
NOTE: DATA statement used (Total process time):
      real time           5124095575644:11:23.65
      cpu time            0.04 seconds

On HP Itanium systems, a Domain error occurs.

Beginning with SAS 9.2 (9.2 TS1M0), the same situation will instead produce the following output:

  1? data; x=1; run;
  
NOTE: The data set WORK.DATA1 has 1 observations and 1 variables.
NOTE: DATA statement used (Total process time):
      real time           Unknown due to possible time adjustment
      cpu time            0.04 seconds

Operating System and Release Information

A fix for SAS 9.1.3 (9.1 TS1M3) for this issue is available at:

A fix for SAS 9.1.3 (9.1 TS1M3) with Asian Language Support (DBCS) for this issue is available at: