Course Notes

Instructor-based Training

Performing Interactive
SQL Queries

SAS Institute Inc.

SAS Campus Drive
Cary, NC 27513
55447
 120495
Performing Interactive
SQL Queries

Course Notes

SAS Institute Inc.

SAS Campus Drive
Cary, NC 27513
120495

SAS INSTITUTE TRADEMARKS

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Performing Interactive SQL Queries Course Notes

Copyright 1995 by SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC 27513, USA. All rights reserved. Printed in the United
States of America. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise, without the
prior written permission of the publisher, SAS Institute Inc.

Book code 55447, course code MSQL, prepared 02JAN96.

ISBN 1-55544-593-4
120495

Table of Contents

Course Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v
Prerequisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi
General Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii
Course Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix

1. SQL Query Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

1.1 Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

1.2 Building a Simple Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
1.3 Summarizing and Joining Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
1.4 SQL Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
1.5 Solutions to Exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
iv Table of Contents

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For Your Information v

Course Description
Performing Interactive SQL Queries Course Notes teaches you how to use the SQL Query
window to perform ad hoc queries interactively, join data sets, and create SQL views. The
course contains workshop exercises and is designed to be taught in approximately four
hours. It is not offered publicly; it is available for on-site presentation only.
vi For Your Information

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Prerequisites
Before selecting this course, you should

understand the concept of a SAS data library

understand interactive processing.
120495
For Your Information vii

General Conventions
This section explains the various conventions used in presenting text, SAS language
syntax, and examples in this book.

Typographical Conventions

You will see several type styles in this book. This list explains the meaning of each style:

roman is the standard type style used for most text in this book.

UPPERCASE ROMAN is used for SAS statements, variable names, and other SAS
language elements when they appear in the text.

italic identifies terms or concepts that are defined in text. Italic is

also used for book titles when they are referenced in text, as
well as for various syntax and mathematical elements.

bold is used for emphasis within text.

monospace is used for examples of SAS programming statements and for

SAS character strings. Monospace is also used to refer to
field names in windows, information in fields, and
user-supplied information.

box indicates push buttons and other items that you select.

Mouse Conventions

The number of buttons on mouse devices varies. On mouse devices with two or three
buttons, one button makes selections and one displays pop-up menus. Because the
locations of these buttons vary, this book references them as the mouse select button or the
mouse menu button. If you use a mouse device, you can determine which button executes
which action by trying them.

menu button

select button

Two-Button Mouse with Default Settings

viii For Your Information

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General Conventions
Syntax Conventions

The general forms of SAS statements and commands shown in this book include only that
part of the syntax actually taught in the course. For complete syntax, see the appropriate
SAS reference guide.

This is an example of how SAS syntax is shown in text:

PROC CHART DATA=SAS-data-set;

HBAR | VBAR chart-variables </ options>;
RUN;

PROC and CHART are in uppercase bold because they are SAS keywords.
DATA= is in uppercase to indicate that it must be spelled as shown.
SAS-data-set is in italic because it represents a value that you supply. In this case, the
value must be the name of a SAS data set.
HBAR and VBAR are in uppercase bold because they are SAS keywords. They are
separated by a vertical bar to indicate they are mutually exclusive; you can choose one
or the other.
chart-variables is in italic because it represents a value or values that you supply.
</ options> represents optional syntax specific to the HBAR and VBAR statements.
The angle brackets enclose the slash as well as options because if no options are
specified you do not include the slash.
RUN is in uppercase bold because it is a SAS keyword.
120495
For Your Information ix

Course Objectives
After completing this course, you should be able to

Chapter 1 SQL Query Window

access the SQL Query window

select and build a column in any specified table

subset your data

create summary reports

set SAS options and specify titles

join tables

save and include queries

create and use SQL views.

x For Your Information

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120495

Chapter 1

SQL Query Window

1.1 Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

1.2 Building a Simple Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

1.3 Summarizing and Joining Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

1.4 SQL Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

1.5 Solutions to Exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

2 Chapter 1 SQL Query Window

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120495
Getting Started 3

1.1 Getting Started

Objectives
After completing this section, you should be able to

access the SQL Query window.

4 Chapter 1 SQL Query Window

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Introduction
The SQL Query window is an easy-to-use point-and-click interface to query data and
produce reports. You can access data from native SAS data sets and some database
management systems, and create SAS data sets for future use.

The SQL Query window is accessed using

SAS/ASSIST software
the QUERY command
the EXECCMD routine in Screen Control Language.

The SQL Query window is part of SAS/ASSIST software starting with

Release 6.08.
120495
Getting Started 5

Benefits
The SQL Query window is easy to use because you can query data without writing code or
learning code syntax. The SQL Query window enables you to

access data from multiple sources including

SAS data sets
DB2
DB2/2 (OS/2 Database Manager)
ODBC
ORACLE
Rdb/VMS
SQL/DS
SYBASE
INFORMIX
INGRES
save a query from one session to the next
save a resulting data set as a view or data file
create multiple styles of report
perform automatic joins
perform automatic table lookups.
6 Chapter 1 SQL Query Window

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Accessing the SQL Query Window
You can access the SQL Query window from the Report Writing Menu or Data
Management Menu in SAS/ASSIST software.

Select REPORT WRITING to access the Report Writing Menu from the Primary Menu in
SAS/ASSIST.

SAS/ASSIST Primary Menu

120495
Getting Started 7

Accessing the SQL Query Window

Select Query to access the Query menu.

Report Writing Menu

Select SQL Query . . . to open the SQL Query window.

Choosing the Query Type

8 Chapter 1 SQL Query Window

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Accessing the SQL Query Window
Assign a libref to point SAS to the location of your data. Select Setup to access the
Setup Selections window.

SQL Query Window

Using the QUERY command will not open this window.

120495
Getting Started 9

Accessing the SQL Query Window

Select SAS data libraries .

Setup Selections Window

Select Assign a new libref . . . .

SAS Data Libraries Window

10 Chapter 1 SQL Query Window

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Accessing the SQL Query Window
Type company in the Libref: field and . in the Name of the SAS data library:
field to indicate the directory from which SAS is invoked.

Select OK to assign the libref COMPANY.

Assigning a New Libref

A message indicating the libref was successfully assigned is displayed. Select

Goback until the SQL Query window appears. Select Run .

Using a . indicates the default directory on directory-based systems only. The

name of the SAS data library will depend on your operating system.
120495
Building a Simple Query 11

1.2 Building a Simple Query

Objectives
After completing this section, you should be able to

select and build a column in any specified table

subset your data.

12 Chapter 1 SQL Query Window

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Selecting a Table
By default, only the tables in the SASUSER library are displayed in the Available Tables
list box. To display tables stored in other libraries, select the appropriate libref from the
Table Sources list box.

Initial SQL Query Window

120495
Building a Simple Query 13

Selecting a Table
Example: Create a query that selects the columns IDNUM, JOBCODE, SEX, and
SALARY from the data set COMPANY.PAYROLL and displays the data
in a report.

Select COMPANY from the Table Sources list box.

Selecting a Table Source

After selecting COMPANY from the Table Sources list box, all of the tables stored in the
COMPANY SAS data library appear in the Available Tables list box.
14 Chapter 1 SQL Query Window

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Selecting a Table
To move COMPANY.PAYROLL from the Available Tables list box to the Selected
Tables list box, select

COMPANY.PAYROLL
or double-click on COMPANY.PAYROLL.

Selecting a Table

Select OK to view the list of columns available in the COMPANY.PAYROLL table.

120495
Building a Simple Query 15

Selecting Columns
The SQL QUERY COLUMNS window displays all of the columns available for the
selected tables.

SQL QUERY COLUMNS Window

<,COUNT(*) > is a summary function that counts the number of rows returned by
a query.

* PAYROLL * <all columns> selects all of the columns in the PAYROLL

table.
16 Chapter 1 SQL Query Window

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Selecting Columns
To move IDNUM, JOBCODE, SEX, and SALARY to the Selected Columns list box,
select

1. IDNUM , JOBCODE , SEX , and SALARY

2. .

Selecting Columns

The order in which the columns are selected determines their order in the report. To
change the column order once the columns are in the Selected Columns list, select the
desired column and then select Move Before or Move After .
120495
Building a Simple Query 17

Selecting Columns
Click on the mouse menu button anywhere in the SQL QUERY COLUMNS window to
display a list of actions.

Select Run Query to execute the query.

Selecting Run Query

You can execute a query from the pull-down menus by selecting

Actions Run Query .
18 Chapter 1 SQL Query Window

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Selecting Columns
Another pop-up menu appears.

Selecting a Run Action

Select Run Immediate .

Selecting Design a Report from the pop-up menu extracts the selected data and
branches to the REPORT procedure, which offers more advanced report writing
capabilities.
120495
Building a Simple Query 19

Selecting Columns
The report is displayed in the OUTPUT window.

Output Report
20 Chapter 1 SQL Query Window

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Selecting Columns
Select File End to return to the SQL QUERY COLUMNS window.

Ending the OUTPUT Window

120495
Building a Simple Query 21

Building a Column
Example: Select the columns IDNUM , JOBCODE , SEX , and SALARY from the
COMPANY.PAYROLL table. Label the SALARY column as Annual
Salary. Compute the monthly salary by dividing the SALARY column
by 12. Name the computed column MSALARY and format the column with
the DOLLAR12. format.

To add a label to the SALARY column, select

1. SALARY from the Selected Columns list box

2. Column Alias/Label .

Labeling a Column
22 Chapter 1 SQL Query Window

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Building a Column
Type Annual Salary in the Label: field. Select OK to close the window.

Specifying a Label
120495
Building a Simple Query 23

Building a Column
Select Build a Column to create the monthly salary column.

Selected Column with Label

24 Chapter 1 SQL Query Window

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Building a Column
Select SALARY to begin the expression.

Building a Column Expression

120495
Building a Simple Query 25

Building a Column
A list of operators appears.

Selecting an Operator

Select / from the list of operators.

26 Chapter 1 SQL Query Window

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Building a Column
Select <CONSTANT enter value> to divide salary by 12.

Type 12 in the Numeric: field.

Specifying a Constant Value

Select OK .
120495
Building a Simple Query 27

Building a Column
Select Column Attributes from the BUILD A COLUMN EXPRESSION window to
assign an alias, label, and format.

BUILD A COLUMN EXPRESSION Window

28 Chapter 1 SQL Query Window

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Building a Column
Type

1. msalary in the Alias Name= field

2. Monthly Salary in the Label= field.

Specifying an Alias and a Label

Select to specify a SAS format.

120495
Building a Simple Query 29

Building a Column
Select

dollar OK OK OK

to choose a format and return to the SQL QUERY COLUMNS window.

Choosing a Format

The default format width is 12.

30 Chapter 1 SQL Query Window

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Building a Column
Select Run Query Run Immediate from the pop-up menu to create the report.

Running the Query

120495
Building a Simple Query 31

Building a Column
The report is displayed in the OUTPUT window.

Partial Report Output

Select File End to return to the SQL QUERY COLUMNS window.

32 Chapter 1 SQL Query Window

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Formatting a Column
To add a format to the salary column,
1. select SALARY from the Selected Columns list box
2. select Column Formats
3. type DOLLAR7. in the Format= field
4. select OK .

Specifying a Format

Use the horizontal scroll bar in the Selected Columns list box to see the FORMAT=
option.
120495
Building a Simple Query 33

Subsetting Data
Example: Display only flight attendants (job codes FA1, FA2, and FA3) and mechanics
(job codes ME1, ME2, and ME3) who make less than $50,000 annually.

Press the mouse menu button to display the pop-up menu.

Select Where Conditions . . . to subset the data.

Selecting an Action

You can subset data from the pull-down menu by selecting

Locals Where Conditions . . . .
34 Chapter 1 SQL Query Window

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Subsetting Data
Select SALARY from the Available Columns list box to start building the expression
SALARY LT 50000.

Building a WHERE Expression

120495
Building a Simple Query 35

Subsetting Data
A list of operators automatically appears.

Selecting an Operator

Select LT from the list of operators.

36 Chapter 1 SQL Query Window

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Subsetting Data
To specify the constant value of 50000,

1. select <CONSTANT enter value>

2. type 50000 in the Numeric: field
3. select OK to close the window.

Specifying a Constant Value

120495
Building a Simple Query 37

Subsetting Data
Subset the data for flight attendants and mechanics.

Select Operators AND .

The AND operator is chosen because both expressions must be true to include the row in
the report.

Selecting an Operator
38 Chapter 1 SQL Query Window

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Subsetting Data
To build the JOBCODE IN (’FA1’ ’FA2’ ’FA3’ ’ME1’ ’ME2’ ’ME3’) expression, select

JOBCODE IN <LOOKUP distinct values> .

Selecting Distinct Values

Select FA1 , FA2 , FA3 , ME1 , ME2 , and ME3 .

Select OK to save the selections and close the window.

120495
Building a Simple Query 39

Subsetting Data
The WHERE expression is now complete.

The Completed WHERE Expression

Select OK to close the WHERE EXPRESSION window.

40 Chapter 1 SQL Query Window

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Subsetting Data
Select Run Query Run Immediate from the pop-up menu.

The report is displayed in the OUTPUT window.

Subsetted Report

Select File End to close the OUTPUT window.

120495
Building a Simple Query 41

Ordering the Report

Example: Display the previous report in sorted order by the job code.

Selecting an Action

Select Order By . . . from the pop-up menu to display the report in sorted order by
JOBCODE.

You can order the report from the pull-down menu by selecting
Locals Order By . . . .
42 Chapter 1 SQL Query Window

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Ordering the Report
To order the report by JOBCODE, select

1. JOBCODE from the Available Columns list box

2. .

ORDER BY Columns Window

120495
Building a Simple Query 43

Ordering the Report

The default sort order is ascending (ASC).

Selecting an ORDER BY Column

Select OK to return to the SQL QUERY COLUMNS window.

To change the sort order to descending, select the column in the Selected Columns
list box, then select Descending Order .
44 Chapter 1 SQL Query Window

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Ordering the Report
From the pop-up menu, select Run query Run Immediate to execute the query.
The ordered report is displayed.

Partial Ordered Report

Select File End to close the window.

120495
Building a Simple Query 45

Exercises
1.1 Accessing Your Data

Invoke the SQL Query window and assign the libref COMPANY to the workshop
SAS data library.

1.2 Creating a Simple Query

Run a query that displays all columns and rows in the COMPANY.STAFF table.

1.3 Subsetting and Ordering a Query

a. Reset the query by selecting

1. Actions Reset from the SQL QUERY COLUMNS window
2. OK to verify that you want to clear everything.
b. Create a report from the COMPANY.FREQ table that displays the NAME, FFID,
and MILETRAV columns. Display only the rows where the passenger has
traveled more than 55,000 miles.
c. Re-execute the same report, ordering the rows alphabetically by NAME.
d. Create a new column to display the points remaining for each passenger.
Calculate the column by subtracting PTSUSED from PTSEARND. Name the
new column PTSRMNG and label it Points Remaining. Execute the new
query.
46 Chapter 1 SQL Query Window

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1.3 Summarizing and Joining Tables
Objectives
After completing this section, you should be able to

create summary reports

set SAS options and specify titles

join tables

save and include queries.

120495
Summarizing and Joining Tables 47

Summary Reports
Example: Create a report that displays the average and maximum salary for flight
attendants and mechanics.

To remove IDNUM, SEX, SALARY, and MSALARY from the Selected Columns list
box, select

1. IDNUM , SEX , SALARY , and msalary

2. .

Removing Columns

Remove SALARY in order to remove the format and label options.

48 Chapter 1 SQL Query Window

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Summary Reports
To calculate the maximum and average salary select,

1. SALARY from the Available Columns list box

2.
3. SALARY from the Available Columns list box
4. .

Selecting Columns
120495
Summarizing and Joining Tables 49

Summary Reports
Select the first SALARY from the Selected Columns list. Then select
Summary Functions AVG to request the average be generated for the first SALARY
column.

Selecting a Summary Statistic

Select the second SALARY from the Selected Columns list. Then select
Summary Functions MAX to request the maximum be generated for the second
SALARY column.

The summary functions appear in the Selected Columns list box.

50 Chapter 1 SQL Query Window

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Summary Reports
Select Run Query Run Immediate .

A window opens requesting information on how the summary functions AVG and MAX
are to be interpreted in the query.

Requesting GROUP BY Information

Select AUTOGROUP because JOBCODE is the only column that is not used in a summary
function and summaries for each JOBCODE are requested.
120495
Summarizing and Joining Tables 51

Summary Reports
Select Yes to retain the GROUP BY criterion after the query is run.

Specifying a Permanent GROUP BY

52 Chapter 1 SQL Query Window

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Summary Reports
The summary report is displayed in the OUTPUT window.

Grouped Report

Select File End to close the OUTPUT window.

120495
Summarizing and Joining Tables 53

Setting SAS Options

Example: Turn off the page number and the date/time stamp in the upper-right corner
of the report and add titles to the report.

You can eliminate the date and page number from the report by turning off the DATE and
NUMBER SAS system options. To access SAS system options, select Globals from
the menu bar. Then select Global options SAS options from the pull-down
menus.

Changing SAS Options

54 Chapter 1 SQL Query Window

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Setting SAS Options
A filled box beside the option indicates the option is currently in effect. To toggle the
option on or off, select the option. Select DATE to turn the DATE option off. Select
NUMBER to turn the NUMBER option off.

Specifying SAS Options

Close the OPTIONS window by selecting Edit End from the menu bar or pop-up
menu.

Options changed here are global and affect all other output generated in your SAS
session.
120495
Summarizing and Joining Tables 55

Specifying Titles
To specify titles for the report, select

Globals Global options Titles .

Specifying Titles

On some operating systems, you can specify titles by selecting

Actions Report Options .
56 Chapter 1 SQL Query Window

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Specifying Titles
Type

1. Average and Maximum Salaries in the Title1 field

2. for Flight Attendants and Mechanics in the Title2 field.

Specifying Titles

Select

1. Edit End from the menu bar or pop-up menu to close the TITLES window
2. Run Query Run Immediate to create the report.
120495
Summarizing and Joining Tables 57

Specifying Titles
The report is displayed in the OUTPUT window.

Final Report

Select Edit End to close the OUTPUT window.

58 Chapter 1 SQL Query Window

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Resetting the QUERY Window
Example: Reset the QUERY window to begin a new query.

Select Actions Reset .

Resetting the Window

120495
Summarizing and Joining Tables 59

Resetting the QUERY Window

Select OK to reset the entire query.

Resetting the Query

When resetting the query, any SAS system or global option (such as titles or dates)
remains in effect.
60 Chapter 1 SQL Query Window

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Joining Tables
Example: Create a report that contains the columns IDNUM, FNAME, LNAME,
JOBCODE, and SALARY for flight attendants and pilots. Prompt the user
whether to run the report for males or females.

When several columns from different tables need to be placed side by side in a report, an
SQL join can be used. The data needed for this example can be found in
COMPANY.STAFF and COMPANY.PAYROLL.

Select COMPANY from the Table Sources list box.

Selecting a Table Source

120495
Summarizing and Joining Tables 61

Joining Tables
Select

1. COMPANY.PAYROLL and COMPANY.STAFF from the Available Tables list box

2. to move COMPANY.PAYROLL and COMPANY.STAFF to the Selected Tables list
box.

Selecting Multiple Tables

Select OK to access the SQL QUERY COLUMNS window.

62 Chapter 1 SQL Query Window

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Joining Tables
All the columns available from each table are listed in the Available Columns list box.

Column Listing
120495
Summarizing and Joining Tables 63

Joining Tables
Select

1. IDNUM , FNAME , LNAME , JOBCODE , and SALARY from the Available Columns list
box
2. to move the columns to the Selected Columns list box.

Selecting Columns
64 Chapter 1 SQL Query Window

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Joining Tables
Select Run Query Run Immediate to execute the query.

Running the Query

120495
Summarizing and Joining Tables 65

Joining Tables
A window is displayed warning that joining tables without a WHERE clause can produce a
large amount of data. Typically, when two or more tables are joined, the tables will
contain a common column or key to ensure that the corresponding data from both tables
are matched correctly. In this example the column IDNUM is used as the key.
66 Chapter 1 SQL Query Window

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Joining Tables
If the WHERE clause is omitted, all combinations of rows from all tables are matched.
For example, if tables ONE and TWO listed below are joined without a WHERE clause,
the result is a Cartesian product (all possible combinations of rows).

Table ONE Table TWO

X A Y B
1 a 2 x
2 b 3 y
4 d 5 v

Result of a Join without Result of a Join with

a WHERE Clause the WHERE Clause ONE.X=TWO.Y

X A Y B X A Y B
1 a 2 x 2 b 2 x
1 a 3 y
1 a 5 v
2 b 2 x
2 b 3 y
2 b 5 v
4 d 2 x
4 d 3 y
4 d 5 v

Select WHERE to specify a WHERE clause to join the COMPANY.STAFF and

COMPANY.PAYROLL tables.
120495
Summarizing and Joining Tables 67

Joining Tables
The IDNUM column appears in both COMPANY.STAFF and COMPANY.PAYROLL
and can be used to join the two tables. To build the appropriate WHERE clause, select

1. PAYROLL.IDNUM EQ STAFF.IDNUM
2. Operators AND
3. PAYROLL.JOBCODE IN LOOKUP distinct values FA1 , FA2 , FA3 ,
PT1 , PT2 , and PT3 OK
4. Operators AND
5. PAYROLL.SEX EQ <PROMPT at run-time>

Specifying Join Criteria

<PROMPT at run-time> implies that the user is prompted to supply a value

when the query is executed.
68 Chapter 1 SQL Query Window

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Joining Tables
The prompt string is a text string that appears when the query executes to help the user
enter the correct information. Type Please Enter M or F in the Prompt String:
field.

Specifying a Prompt String

Select OK to close this window.

120495
Summarizing and Joining Tables 69

Joining Tables
Notice the &PROMPT1 variable in the WHERE clause. &PROMPT1 is replaced with the
value supplied at run time (either M or F).

Final WHERE Clause

Select OK to close the WHERE EXPRESSION window.

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Joining Tables
Select Run Query Run Immediate to execute the query.

The Prompt window appears and requests a value. Type F in the Prompt window.

Prompt Window

Select OK .
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Summarizing and Joining Tables 71

Joining Tables
The result of the query is displayed in the OUTPUT window.

Final Report

Select File End to return to the SQL QUERY COLUMNS window.

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Viewing Query Code
All the clauses that make up the query can be viewed at any time by selecting
Show Query . . . .

Viewing the Query

You can view the query from the pull-down menus by selecting
Actions Show Query . . . .
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Summarizing and Joining Tables 73

Viewing Query Code

From the SQL QUERY window, selecting

Run Query executes the query.

Save Query saves the query.

Include Query includes a previously saved query.

Create View creates an SQL view.

Create Table creates a table (SAS data file).

SQL QUERY Window

Example: Save the current query in the COMPANY.PROFILE catalog, and specify
the entry name COMBINED and an appropriate description.

Select Save Query Save as QUERY to Include later . . . to save the query
for later use.
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Saving Your Query
Queries are stored as entries in a SAS catalog. A SAS catalog entry is referenced with a
four-level naming convention, libref.catalog.entry-name.entry-type. When saving a query,
you must specify the libref.catalog.entry-name. The entry-type of QUERY is added
automatically.

The default storage location is the SASUSER.PROFILE catalog. You can specify a
different storage location using the Library , Catalog Name , and
Entry Name pushbuttons.

Saving the Query

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Summarizing and Joining Tables 75

Saving Your Query

Select Library COMPANY OK .

Type

1. combined in the Entry Name field

2. Combined Staff and Payroll Query in the Description field.

Saving the Query

Select OK to save the query.

A saved query can only be executed from within the QUERY window. To access
or execute a query from outside of the QUERY window, save the query as a
SOURCE entry in a catalog or in an external file.
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Saving Your Query
Example: Save the current query in the external file named /dept/edu/student/join.sas.

To save the current query in an external file, select

File Save Query Save as External File . . . .

Saving Query to an External File

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Summarizing and Joining Tables 77

Saving Your Query

The Save As External File . . . window opens. Type join.sas in the Selection field.
Select OK to save the file.

Specifying an External File

External filenames and the window in which you specify them vary among
operating systems.
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Including a Saved Query
Example: Include the saved query COMPANY.PROFILE.COMBINED.QUERY and
display it in the SQL QUERY window.

Select File List/Include Saved Queries . . . to include a saved query.

Including a Query
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Summarizing and Joining Tables 79

Including a Saved Query

Select

1. COMPANY from the Libraries list box

2. OK to close the window.

Selecting a Library
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Including a Saved Query
Select

1. the saved query COMPANY.PROFILE.COMBINED

2. Include .

Including a Query

You can also include the query by double-clicking on

COMPANY.PROFILE.COMBINED.
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Summarizing and Joining Tables 81

Including a Saved Query

Select Clear Query in Progress before Including OK .

Clearing the Previous Query

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Including a Saved Query
Select Actions Show Query . . . to view the query.

Showing the Query

The query is displayed.

Query Code
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Summarizing and Joining Tables 83

Exercises
1.4 Joining Tables

Reset the query by selecting

1. Actions Reset from the SQL QUERY COLUMNS window

2. OK to verify that you want to clear everything.

Create a report that displays the name and birthday of each employee. The report
should include the FNAME and LNAME columns from the COMPANY.STAFF table
and the BIRTH column from the COMPANY.PAYROLL table. The two tables
should be joined where the values of IDNUM are equal.

1.5 Prompting for Information

a. Alter the previous query so that the user can provide a last name at run time to
subset the report for a particular employee. Alter the WHERE expression in your
query to check where LNAME equals a run-time prompt.
b. Execute the query and request a report for UPCHURCH. Then generate reports for
other employees (such as BOYCE, WOOD, or DEAN).
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1.4 SQL Views
Objectives
After completing this section, you should be able to

create and use SQL views.

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SQL Views 85

Creating a View
An SQL view

is a stored query. It contains no rows of data.

can be used in SAS programs as a SAS data set. The only limitation is that the view
is read-only.
extracts underlying data when used, thus accessing the most current data.

Example: Create a view named COMPANY.FA_PT using the current query.

Retrieve only male flight attendants and pilots.

Select Create View from the SQL QUERY window.

Select Library: COMPANY OK . Type FA_PT in the View: field.

Naming the View

Select OK to close the window.

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Creating a View
Since the query had ‘‘Prompt at Run Time’’ as part of the WHERE expression, a
prompt box appears. Type M in the prompt field. Select OK to close the window.

Specifying Subsetting Criteria

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SQL Views 87

Creating a View
A message displays in the SQL QUERY window confirming the creation of the view
COMPANY.FA_PT.

Creation Confirmation

The COMPANY.FA_PT data set is now the active data set.

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Exiting the Query Window
Select File Exit to begin the exit process.

Exiting the Query Window

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SQL Views 89

Exiting the Query Window

Select OK in the prompter box to confirm your exit choice.

Exiting the Query Window

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Exiting the Query Window
Select Main menu to return to the SAS/ASSIST Primary Menu.

Returning to SAS/ASSIST
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SQL Views 91

Using an SQL View

Example: Use the COMPANY.FA_PT view to create a high resolution bar chart that
displays the average salary for flight attendant and pilot job codes.

Select GRAPHICS from the Primary Menu.

SAS/ASSIST Main Menu

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Using an SQL View
Select High resolution . . . if SAS/GRAPH software is installed and your device
supports high resolution graphics. Otherwise, select Low resolution . . . .

Graphics Window
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SQL Views 93

Using an SQL View

Select BAR CHARTS .

SAS/ASSIST High Resolution Graphics Menu

Select Horizontal bar charts . . . .

Bar Charts Window

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Using an SQL View
Select Simple from the Horizontal Bar Charts window.

Selecting a Chart Type

Select Chart variable: .

Creating a Bar Chart

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SQL Views 95

Using an SQL View

Select JOBCODE from the Variables window.

Selecting a Chart Variable

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Using an SQL View
Select

1. Bar values:
2. Mean from the list of statistics
3. Analysis variable: SALARY
4. OK to close the Bar/Slice Values window.

Specifying Statistics

Select Run to generate the bar chart.

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SQL Views 97

Using an SQL View

The horizontal bar chart is displayed.

Final Bar Chart

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Exercises
1.6 Saving a Query

a. Edit the query created in the previous exercise to remove the run-time prompt.
b. Save the new query as a QUERY catalog entry to include later. Store your query
in SASUSER.PROFILE.BDAY.QUERY.

1.7 Creating a View

Create a view named SASUSER.BDAYVIEW using the query created in the previous
exercise.
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Solutions to Exercises 99

1.5 Solutions to Exercises

Solutions
1.1 Accessing Your Data

To access the SQL Query window using SAS/ASSIST software, select

1. REPORT WRITING from the Primary Menu

2. QUERY from the Report Writing Menu
3. SQL Query . . . in the Query window.

To assign the libref,

1. select SETUP in the SQL Query window

2. select SAS data libraries in the Setup Selections window
3. select Assign a new libref . . . in the SAS Data Libraries window
4. type company in the Libref field, and type the physical name (directory,
file name, or minidisk) that corresponds to the SAS data library
5. select OK and then select Goback three times.
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Solutions
1.2 Creating a Simple Query

Specify the COMPANY.STAFF data set.

Select

1. Active data set: in the SQL Query window.

2. COMPANY.STAFF in the Directory window. (You may have to scroll down
using the scroll bar or use the FORWARD function key.)
3. Run .

Specify the variables to appear in the query.

Select

1. * STAFF * <all columns> from the Available Columns list box in the
SQL QUERY COLUMNS window
2. to add these columns to the Selected Columns list box.

Execute the query.

1. Select Actions Run Query Run Immediate from the menu bar
at the top of the SQL QUERY COLUMNS window.
2. Examine the OUTPUT window to see the report.
3. Select File End from the menu bar in the OUTPUT window to return to
the SQL QUERY COLUMNS window. You can also press the END
function key.
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Solutions to Exercises 101

Solutions
1.3 Subsetting and Ordering a Query
a. Reset the query by selecting
1. Actions Reset from the SQL QUERY COLUMNS window
2. OK to verify that you want to clear everything.
b. Specify the COMPANY.FREQ data set.

Select
1. COMPANY from the Table Sources list box in the SQL QUERY TABLES
window
2. COMPANY.FREQ in the Available Tables list box
3. to add this table to the Selected Tables list box
4. OK .

Specify the columns to appear in the report.

Select

1. FREQ.NAME , FREQ.FFID , and FREQ.MILETRAV from the Available

Columns list box in the SQL QUERY COLUMNS window
2. to add these columns to the Selected Columns list box.
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Solutions
1.3 Subsetting and Ordering a Query (continued)
b. (continued)
Construct a WHERE clause to include only passengers who traveled more
than 55,000 miles.

Select
1. Locals Where Conditions . . .
2. FREQ.MILETRAV from the Available Columns list box in the WHERE
EXPRESSION window
3. GE in the pop-up window that opens
4. <CONSTANT enter value> from the Available Columns list box and
type 55000 in the field
5. OK
6. OK to close the WHERE EXPRESSION window.

Execute the query. Examine the output and then close the OUTPUT
window.

c. Specify that you want to sort the query.

1. Select Locals Order By . . . .
2. Select FREQ.NAME and in the ORDER BY COLUMNS window.
3. Select OK .

Execute the query. Examine the output generated and then close the
OUTPUT window.

d. Create a column that corresponds to the bonus points remaining for each
passenger.
1. Select Build a Column in the SQL QUERY COLUMNS window.
2. Select FREQ.PTSEARND from the Available Columns list box.
3. Select in the pop-up window.
4. Select FREQ.PTSUSED from the Available Columns list box.
5. Select Column Attributes .
6. Type ptsrmng in the Alias Name field and Points Remaining in the
Label field.
7. Select OK twice.

Execute the query. Examine the output and close the OUTPUT window.

Reset the query by following Exercise 1.3.a.

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Solutions to Exercises 103

Solutions
1.4 Joining Tables

Specify the two tables.

1. Select COMPANY from the Table Sources list box.

2. Double-click on COMPANY.STAFF in the Available Tables list box. (This
should add this table to the Selected Tables list box).
3. Repeat step 2 for COMPANY.PAYROLL.
4. Select OK .

Specify the columns to appear in the report.

Select

1. LNAME , FNAME , BIRTH

2. (there should be three columns in the Selected Columns list box).

Construct a WHERE clause.

To execute the query, select

1. Actions Run Query Run Immediate .

2. WHERE in the warning window that opens. (If you do not specify the
WHERE clause, all combinations of rows from the six tables would be
matched.)

To specify the WHERE clause, select

1. STAFF.IDNUM
2. EQ in the pop-up window
3. SCHEDULE.IDNUM
4. OK to close the WHERE EXPRESSION window.

Execute the query by selecting

Actions Run Query Run Immediate .

Examine the generated output and close the OUTPUT window.

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Solutions
1.5 Prompting for Information
a. Edit the WHERE clause.

Select
1. Locals Where Conditions . . . .
2. Operators and AND .
3. LNAME , EQ , and PROMPT at <run-time > . Type employee last
name and select OK in the Enter a String for this Prompt window.
4. OK to close the WHERE EXPRESSION window.
b. Execute the query.
1. Select Actions Run Query Run Immediate .
2. Type UPCHURCH for the last name in the window that opens and select
OK .
3. Examine the report and select File End to return to the SQL
QUERY COLUMNS window.
1.6 Saving a Query
a. Edit the WHERE clause and remove the two prompts at run time.

Select
1. Locals Where Conditions . . .
2. UNDO four times to remove this part of the WHERE clause: AND
STAFF.LNAME EQ &PROMPT1
3. OK to specify the modified WHERE clause.
b. Save the query.
1. Select File Save Query
Save as QUERY to Include later .
2. Type bday in the Entry Name field.
3. Type a description in the Enter a description for query field.
4. Select OK to save the query (PROC SQL statements) as the
SASUSER.PROFILE.BDAY.QUERY SAS file.
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Solutions to Exercises 105

Solutions
1.7 Creating a View
1. Select File Create View of Query . . . .
2. Select next to the Library field.
3. Select SASUSER OK to confirm your choice of library.
4. Type BDAYVIEW in the View field.
5. Select OK to create the view (a dynamic file containing the joined tables).
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Index
& I
&PROMPT1 variable including saved queries 78-82
WHERE clause 69
J
A joining tables 60-71
accessing data Cartesian product 66
SQL Query window 5 SQL join 60
adding titles 55-57 WHERE clause 65-70
TITLES window 56
AVG function 49-50
L
B labeling columns 21-22
libraries
bar charts selecting 12
SQL views 92-97
M
C MAX function 49-50
Cartesian product moving columns 16
joining tables 66
columns
creating 23-31 N
formatting 29, 32 NUMBER option 53-54
labeling 21-22
moving 16
selecting 15-20 O
creating
ordering reports 41-44
columns 23-31
OUTPUT window 19
SQL views 85-87
SQL views, WHERE expressions 86
summary reports 47-52 P
WHERE expressions 33-40
prompt string
queries 68
D
data Q
accessing 5
sorting 41-44 queries
subsetting 33-40 executing 17
DATE option 53-54 including 78-82
prompt string 68
resetting 58-59
E saving 74-77
query code
executing queries 17 viewing 72-73
QUERY Window
F resetting 58-59
formatting columns 29
FORMAT= option 32 R
reports
G ordering 41-44
resetting queries 58-59
graphics
SQL views 91-97
GROUP BY clause 50
 108 Index

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S
SAS options
setting 53-54
saving queries 74-77
SOURCE entries 75
selecting
columns 15-20
libraries 12
tables 12-14
setting SAS options 53-54
sorting data 41-44
SQL QUERY COLUMNS window 15
SQL QUERY window 73
accessing 6-10
SQL views
bar charts 92-97
creating 85-87
graphics 91-97
subsetting data 33-40
summary reports
creating 47-52

T
tables
joining 60-71
selecting 12-14
titles
adding 55-57
TITLES window
adding titles 56

V
viewing query code 72-73

W
WHERE clause
&PROMPT1 variable 69
joining tables 65-70
WHERE expressions
creating 33-40
creating SQL views 86