NC STATE University
SAS Consulting, Department of Statistics

SAS FAQ: What is a SAS data set?
SAS version 6.12 and 7


A SAS data set is made up of two major parts: a descriptor protion and a data portion.
  1. The descriptor portion of a SAS data set contains:
  2. The data portion is a collection of data values arranged in a rectangular table.


SAS data sets are created by SAS programs using Data Steps or Procedures.
For example, raw data is stored in a program or data file and a SAS program is run to turn the raw data into a SAS data set. Raw data can't be used by SAS procedures until a SAS data set is created.

SAS data sets have a specific extension depending on the platform and version of SAS used to create them. In UNIX version 6.12, the extension is .ssd01 . In Windows version 6.12, the extension is .sd2 .

Generally, SAS data sets are platform dependent, and can't be moved between platforms. PC SAS data sets can't be used in UNIX until they have been converted. See Exporting SAS data sets

Generally, SAS data sets can only be used in SAS.
Home   |   FAQ   |   SAS Class   |   Sample Programs   |   Tutorials   |   NC State Dept. of Statistics
Maintained by: Sandy Donaghy and Joy Smith
Last Modified: July 12, 1999