A SAS data set is a SAS file stored in a SAS library that SAS creates
and processes. A SAS data set contains data values that are organized
as a table of observations (rows) and variables (columns) that can
be processed by SAS software. A SAS data set also contains descriptor
information such as the data types and lengths of the variables, as
well as which engine was used to create the data.
A SAS data set can be
one of the following:
contains both the data
and the descriptor information. SAS data files have a member type
of DATA. For specific information, see
SAS Data Files.
is a virtual data set
that points to data from other sources. SAS views have a member type
of VIEW. For specific information, see
SAS Views.
Note: The term SAS data set is
used when a SAS view and a SAS data file can be used in the same manner.