Problem Note 41361: Modification datetime stamp is changed on existing version of a SAS® data set when you create a new data set with same name
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If you are running SAS 9.1.3 on OpenVMS Alpha and you create a new data set with the same name as one that already exists, the existing data set will be opened and the datetime stamp will be modified.
Consider the following example:
There is an existing data set named
test.sas7bdat in disk:[uid.sasdata.newdata],
and you run the following SAS program:
LIBNAME permdata 'disk:[uid.sasdata]';
LIBNAME newpmdata 'disk:[uid.sasdata.newdata]';
DATA newpmdata.test;
SET permdata.test;
RUN;
You then run the following dir command from the VMS command line:
$ dir/siz=all/da=(cr,mo)/wi=fi:26 disk:[uid.sasdata.newdata]
You see that the datetime stamp on the existing version of the file shows the date and time that you ran your SAS program (above).
Directory DISK:[UID.SASDATA.NEWDATA] TEST.SAS7BDAT;2 129/160 30-NOV-2010 13:07:52.00 30-NOV-2010 13:07:52.03 TEST.SAS7BDAT;1 129/160 30-AUG-2010 15:22:09.21 30-NOV-2010 3:07:51.99
Note that a new version of the file, TEST.SAS7BDAT;2, is created.
However, TEST.SAS7BDAT;1 is opened and the datetime stamp on the file
is updated. This is unnecessary, and causes additional CPU and real time usage.
Select the Hot Fix tab in this note to access the hot fix for this problem.
Operating System and Release Information
| Product Family | Product | System | SAS Release | |
| Reported | Fixed* | |||
| SAS System | Base SAS | OpenVMS Alpha | 9.1 TS1M3 SP4 | |