What are the different ways to read data into SAS?

What are the different ways to read data into SAS?

One of the key functionalities of SAS is to read and manipulate data. There are several methods to read data into SAS, each with its own advantages and use cases.

Focus Keyword: read data into SAS

1. Using DATA step: The most common method is to use a DATA step in SAS to read data from external sources such as text files, Excel files, or databases.
2. Using PROC IMPORT: Another way is to use PROC IMPORT to read data from external files directly into SAS datasets. This method is handy for quick imports.
3. Using PROC SQL: PROC SQL can be used to read data from external databases directly into SAS datasets. This method is preferable when working with large databases.
4. Using external files: SAS can read data from various external sources such as CSV files, Excel files, JSON data, and more using appropriate SAS procedures.
5. Using SAS/ACCESS: SAS/ACCESS provides a way to access and read data from various database management systems directly into SAS datasets.

These are some of the different ways in which data can be read into SAS, providing flexibility and options based on the specific requirements of the project.