Directing SAS Log and SAS Procedure Output

Directing Output to External Files with the FILE Command

You can use the FILE command to copy the contents of many different windows to external files. Issue the FILE command on the command line of the window whose contents you want to copy. For example, to copy the contents of the Log window to a sequential data set, issue the following command on the command line of the Log window:

file 'myid.log.out'

If the sequential file does not exist, a dialog box asks you whether you want to create the file and whether you want to catalog it. If the file does exist, a dialog box asks you whether you want to replace it or to append data to the existing data.

You can also use the FILE command to copy the contents of a window to either a PDS or PDSE member:

file 'myid.log.out1(test)'

If you have already associated a fileref or ddname with your PDS or PDSE, you can use the fileref or ddname in the command, followed by the member name in parentheses:

file mylib(test)

If the member that you specify already exists, it is overwritten because you cannot append data to existing PDS or PDSE members.

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