6 SAS Views of DBMS Data Chapter 1
DATA step views are stored, compiled DATA step programs.
PROC SQL views are stored query expressions that read data values from their
underlying files, which can include SAS data files, SAS/ACCESS views, DATA step
views, other PROC SQL views, or relational database data.
SAS/ACCESS views (also called view descriptors) describe data that is stored in
DBMS tables. This is no longer a recommended method for accessing relational
DBMS data. Use the CV2VIEW procedure to convert existing view descriptors into
PROC SQL views.
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).
PROC SQL views and SAS/ACCESS views can be used to update their underlying
data if the view is based on only one DBMS table or is based on a DBMS view that is
based on only one DBMS table, and if the view has no calculated fields. DATA step
views cannot be used to update their underlying data; they can only 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. The following table
lists the recommended methods for creating SAS views.
Table 1.2 Creating SAS Views
Feature You Use to Access DBMS Data SAS View Technology You Can Use
SAS/ACCESS LIBNAME statement PROC SQL view or DATA step view of the
DBMS table
SQL Procedure Pass-Through Facility PROC SQL view with CONNECTION TO
component
