SAS users can have the SAS System automatically display additional information directly to the SAS log by specifying the MSGLEVEL= SAS System option in an Options statement. The MSGLEVEL= option supports two options: N (which is the default) and I. By specifying MSGLEVEL=I, SAS displays on the SAS Log helpful information pertinent to merge and sort processing; as well as index usage and suggestions on what can be done to influence SAS to use an index; along with the usual assortment of notes, warnings, and error messages.

To demonstrate the effect of using a MSGLEVEL=I option, the code on the "Full Code" tab illustrates a program that performs a simple SQL join on two tables, MOVIES and ACTORS. As can be seen in the resulting SAS Log, an informative message was automatically generated explaining that the SAS system chose to use an available index called Rating to optimize WHERE clause processing. This type of information is not only helpful in gaining a better understanding of what the SAS system did to improve processing, but provides the specific name of the index that was selected and used to achieve improved processing.

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About the Author
Kirk Paul Lafler is the author of PROC SQL: Beyond the Basics Using SAS, published by SAS Press. He also writes the popular SAS tips column "Kirk's Korner," which appears regularly in several SAS users group newsletters, and is a frequent speaker at SAS users group meetings.

His book is available from the online bookstore.

• PROC SQL: Beyond the Basics Using SAS

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These sample files and code examples are provided by SAS Institute Inc. "as is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Recipients acknowledge and agree that SAS Institute shall not be liable for any damages whatsoever arising out of their use of this material. In addition, SAS Institute will provide no support for the materials contained herein.

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OPTIONS MSGLEVEL=I;
PROC SQL;
  SELECT MOVIES.TITLE, RATING, LENGTH, ACTOR_LEADING
    FROM MOVIES,
         ACTORS
      WHERE MOVIES.TITLE = ACTORS.TITLE AND
            RATING = 'PG';
QUIT;




SAS Log Results
OPTIONS MSGLEVEL=I;
PROC SQL;
  SELECT MOVIES.TITLE, RATING, LENGTH, ACTOR_LEADING
    FROM MOVIES,
         ACTORS
      WHERE MOVIES.TITLE = ACTORS.TITLE AND
            RATING = 'PG';
INFO: Index Rating selected for WHERE clause optimization.
QUIT;

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These sample files and code examples are provided by SAS Institute Inc. "as is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Recipients acknowledge and agree that SAS Institute shall not be liable for any damages whatsoever arising out of their use of this material. In addition, SAS Institute will provide no support for the materials contained herein.

SAS users can have the SAS System automatically display additional information directly to the SAS log by specifying the MSGLEVEL= SAS System option in an Options statement.

Type:

Sample

Date Modified:	2008-10-14 14:44:40
Date Created:	2008-10-14 13:26:20

Operating System and Release Information

Product Family	Product	Host	SAS Release
			Starting	Ending
SAS System	Base SAS	z/OS
		OpenVMS VAX
		Microsoft® Windows® for 64-Bit Itanium-based Systems
		Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Datacenter 64-bit Edition
		Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Enterprise 64-bit Edition
		Microsoft Windows XP 64-bit Edition
		Microsoft® Windows® for x64
		OS/2
		Microsoft Windows 95/98
		Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
		Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server
		Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
		Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
		Microsoft Windows NT Workstation
		Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Datacenter Edition
		Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition
		Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition
		Microsoft Windows XP Professional
		Windows Millennium Edition (Me)
		Windows Vista
		64-bit Enabled AIX
		64-bit Enabled HP-UX
		64-bit Enabled Solaris
		ABI+ for Intel Architecture
		AIX
		HP-UX
		HP-UX IPF
		IRIX
		Linux
		Linux for x64
		Linux on Itanium
		OpenVMS Alpha
		OpenVMS on HP Integrity
		Solaris
		Solaris for x64
		Tru64 UNIX