SAS Views of DBMS Data

SAS/ACCESS lets you create a SAS view of data that exists in a DBMS. A SAS data view specifies a virtual data set that is named and stored for later use. A view contains no data but instead describes data that is stored elsewhere. Here are the types of SAS data views.

DATA step views

stored, compiled DATA step programs.

SQL views

are stored query expressions that read data values from their underlying files, which can include SAS data sets, SAS/ACCESS views, DATA step views, other SQL views, or relational database data.

You can use all types of views as inputs into DATA steps and procedures. You can specify views in queries as if they were tables. A view derives its data from the tables or views that are listed in its FROM clause. The data accessed by a view is a subset or superset of the data in its underlying table(s) or view(s).

You can use SQL views and SAS/ACCESS views to update their underlying data if one of the following is true:

• The view is based on only one DBMS table.
• The view is based on a DBMS view that is based on only one DBMS table, and the view has no calculated fields.

You cannot use DATA step views to update the underlying data; you can use them only to read the data.

Your options for creating a SAS view of DBMS data are determined by the SAS/ACCESS feature that you are using to access the DBMS data. This table lists the recommended methods for creating SAS views.

Creating SAS Views

Feature for Accessing DBMS Data	SAS View Technology to Use
SAS/ACCESS LIBNAME statement	SQL view or DATA step view of the DBMS table
SQL pass-through facility	SQL view with CONNECTION TO component