SQL procedure queries that combine data sets using the EXCEPT set operator in conjunction with the CORRESPONDING (CORR) keyword generate exceptions. The same code does not generate exceptions in SAS^® 9.4M5 (TS1M5) and earlier. See the Full Code tab for example code that triggers this issue.

If you set the SORTEDBY flag on one of the data sets, the exception does not occur. Also, if you use the ALL keyword in a query along with the CORR keyword, the exception does not occur.

Click the Hot Fix tab in this note to access the hot fix for this issue.

Operating System and Release Information

Product Family	Product	System	Product Release		SAS Release
			Reported	Fixed*	Reported	Fixed*
SAS System	Base SAS	z/OS	9.4_M6		9.4 TS1M6
		z/OS 64-bit	9.4_M6		9.4 TS1M6
		Microsoft® Windows® for x64	9.4_M6		9.4 TS1M6
		Microsoft Windows 8 Enterprise 32-bit	9.4_M6		9.4 TS1M6
		Microsoft Windows 8 Enterprise x64	9.4_M6		9.4 TS1M6
		Microsoft Windows 8 Pro 32-bit	9.4_M6		9.4 TS1M6
		Microsoft Windows 8 Pro x64	9.4_M6		9.4 TS1M6
		Microsoft Windows 8.1 Enterprise 32-bit	9.4_M6		9.4 TS1M6
		Microsoft Windows 8.1 Enterprise x64	9.4_M6		9.4 TS1M6
		Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro 32-bit	9.4_M6		9.4 TS1M6
		Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro x64	9.4_M6		9.4 TS1M6
		Microsoft Windows 10	9.4_M6		9.4 TS1M6
		Microsoft Windows Server 2012 Datacenter	9.4_M6		9.4 TS1M6
		Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter	9.4_M6		9.4 TS1M6
		Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 Std	9.4_M6		9.4 TS1M6
		Microsoft Windows Server 2012 Std	9.4_M6		9.4 TS1M6
		Microsoft Windows Server 2016	9.4_M6		9.4 TS1M6
		Microsoft Windows Server 2019	9.4_M6		9.4 TS1M6
		Windows 7 Enterprise 32 bit	9.4_M6		9.4 TS1M6
		Windows 7 Enterprise x64	9.4_M6		9.4 TS1M6
		Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit	9.4_M6		9.4 TS1M6
		Windows 7 Home Premium x64	9.4_M6		9.4 TS1M6
		Windows 7 Professional 32 bit	9.4_M6		9.4 TS1M6
		Windows 7 Professional x64	9.4_M6		9.4 TS1M6
		Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit	9.4_M6		9.4 TS1M6
		Windows 7 Ultimate x64	9.4_M6		9.4 TS1M6
		64-bit Enabled AIX	9.4_M6		9.4 TS1M6
		64-bit Enabled Solaris	9.4_M6		9.4 TS1M6
		HP-UX IPF	9.4_M6		9.4 TS1M6
		Linux for x64	9.4_M6		9.4 TS1M6
		Solaris for x64	9.4_M6		9.4 TS1M6

* For software releases that are not yet generally available, the Fixed Release is the software release in which the problem is planned to be fixed.

This is code that can be used to replicate the problem.

---

/*Code that generates the exception*/ 
data a;
     do x=1 to 30 by 3;
           a=x+2;
           output;
     end;
run;

proc sql;
     create table a2 as
     select * from a
     union corr
     select * from a;
quit;

data b;
     do x=1 to 30 by 2;
           b=x+2;
           output;
     end;
run;

proc sql;
     create table c1 as
     select * from a2 
     except corr
     select * from b;
quit;  

/*Code that shows added the SORTEDBY flag prevents the exception*/
data a;
     do x=1 to 30 by 3;
           a=x+2;
           output;
     end;
run;

proc sql;
     create table a2 (sortedby=_null_) as
     select * from a
     union corr
     select * from a;
quit;

data b;
     do x=1 to 30 by 2;
           b=x+2;
           output;
     end;
run;

proc sql;
     create table c2 as
     select * from a2 
     except corr
     select * from b;
quit;  


/*Code that shows that adding the ALL keyword also prevents the exception*/
data a;
     do x=1 to 30 by 3;
           a=x+2;
           output;
     end;
run;

proc sql;
     create table a2 as
     select * from a
     union corr
     select * from a;
quit;

data b;
     do x=1 to 30 by 2;
           b=x+2;
           output;
     end;
run;

proc sql;
     create table c3 as
     select * from a2 
     except corr all
     select * from b;
quit;  

A fix for this issue for Base SAS 9.4_M6 is available at:

https://tshf.sas.com/techsup/download/hotfix/HF2/D9T.html#66214

---

Type:	Problem Note
Priority:	high

Date Modified:	2020-10-01 16:47:32
Date Created:	2020-06-29 11:09:55