The order of Library assignment differs between modes of execution of SAS^®, potentially generating different results from the same code running in different environments.

For a SAS server started by the SAS Object Spawner, such as a SAS Workspace Server or SAS^®Stored Process Server, the order of Library assignment is:

1. Libraries marked as pre–assigned in metadata (assuming the METAAUTORESOURCES system option is set for the session)
2. Libraries defined by a LIBNAME statement in an autoexec file

For SAS sessions not started by the SAS Object Spawner, such as a SAS Batch Server, SAS^® Connect Server, or scheduled SAS jobs (all known as MVA SAS sessions), the order of execution is reversed:

1. Libraries defined by a LIBNAME statement in an autoexec file
2. Libraries marked as pre-assigned in metadata (assuming the METAAUTORESOURCES system option is set for the session)

Unexpected behavior is most common in MVA sessions when a SAS autoexec contains steps dependent on the successful assignment of a pre–assigned Library. Because the SAS autoexec executes prior to the Library pre–assignment, the step might fail. A typical error message is:

For the most consistent behavior across execution modes, use LIBNAME statements in an autoexec file or within the program code to assign Libraries required for the program.

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