Since a visual interpretation of alphanumeric data files is inefficient, statistical software is needed to define, manipulate, extract, and analyze variables and cases within data files. The following instructions explain the different components of SAS and SPSS data definition statements. Data definition statements for certain collections may not contain all of the commands listed below. SAS data definition statements can be used to generate native SAS file formats such as SAS datasets and SAS transport files. Creates user-defined formats for the variables.
Formats replace original value codes with value code descriptions.
Not all variables necessarily have user-defined formats. Identifies the input data file to be read with the input statement. Assigns descriptive labels to all variables. Variable labels and variable names may be identical for some variables. Sets user-defined numeric missing values to missing as interpreted by the SAS system.