Directing SAS Output and the SAS Log

Redefining the Default Destination in a Batch or Noninteractive Environment

Usually, in a batch or noninteractive environment, SAS routes procedure output to the listing file and routes the SAS log to a log file. These files are usually defined by your installation and are created automatically when you invoke SAS. Contact your SAS Support Consultant if you have questions pertaining to your site.

Changing the Default Destination

If you want to redefine the default destination for procedure output, then use the PRINT= system option. If you want to redefine the default destination for the SAS log, then use the LOG= system option. You specify these options only at initialization.

Operating Environment Information: The way that you specify output destinations when you use SAS system options depends on your operating environment. For details, see the SAS documentation for your operating environment. [cautionend]

Options that you must specify at initialization are called configuration options. The configuration options affect the following:

the initialization of the SAS System
the hardware interface
the operating system interface

In contrast to other SAS system options, which affect the appearance of output, file handling, use of system variables, or processing of observations, you cannot change configuration options in the middle of a program. You specify configuration options when SAS is invoked, either in the configuration file or in the SAS command.

Understanding the Configuration File

The configuration file is a special file that contains configuration options as well as other SAS system options and their settings. Each time you invoke SAS, the settings of the configuration file are examined. You can specify the options in the configuration file in the same format as they are used in the SAS command for your operating environment. For example, under UNIX this file's contents might include the following:

WORK=WORK 
SASUSER=SASUSER
EXPLORER

SAS automatically sets the options as they appear in the configuration file. If you specify options both in the configuration file and in the SAS command, then the options are concatenated. If you specify the same option in the SAS command and in the configuration file, then the setting in the SAS command overrides the setting in the file. For example, specifying the NOEXPLORER option in the SAS command overrides the EXPLORER option in the configuration file and tells SAS to start your session without displaying the Explorer window.

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