A view is a definition of a virtual data set. It contains no data values, but rather the information required to create or access the data values. A SAS data view can be analyzed by SAS/LAB software as if it contained data values.
The only SAS/LAB capabilities that cannot be performed on a view are editing values and modifying, adding, or deleting variables.
Views can be created with the DATA step's VIEW option, PROC SQL, or SAS/ACCESS software.