Can you explain the difference between the MERGE statement and the APPEND procedure in SAS?

1 Answers
Answered by suresh

Explaining the Difference Between MERGE Statement and APPEND Procedure in SAS

The Difference Between MERGE Statement and APPEND Procedure in SAS

When working with SAS, it is essential to understand the contrast between the MERGE statement and the APPEND procedure.

MERGE Statement

The MERGE statement in SAS is used to combine datasets by matching the values of one or more variables. It merges datasets horizontally based on common variables, creating a new dataset with combined observations.

APPEND Procedure

On the other hand, the APPEND procedure in SAS is used to stack datasets on top of each other vertically. It appends observations from one dataset to another, increasing the number of rows without altering the columns.

Focus Keyword: SAS MERGE vs. APPEND

In summary, the key difference lies in how the data is combined - MERGE statement merges datasets horizontally based on common variables, while the APPEND procedure stacks datasets vertically without altering columns.

Answer for Question: Can you explain the difference between the MERGE statement and the APPEND procedure in SAS?