PROBLEM:
    Version 7, 8 and 9 SAS Data Sets cannot be used in SAS prior to Version 7, but there can be reasons to want to use Version 7, 8 or 9 data in Version 6, especially during a time of transition to the higher versions. For example, you may be using Version 8 in your work, but you want to share data with a colleague who is still using Version 6.12.

      NOTE that as of Version 9, SAS is beginning to withdraw support of Version 6 data sets. In SAS for Windows, a warning appears stating that future versions "may not" be able to create or update Version 6 SAS Data Sets. In UNIX, Version 9 already does not allow creation or updating of Version 6 SAS Data Sets.

    SOLUTION:
    To create a Version 6.12 SAS data set or Catalog from a Version 8 SAS data set or Catalog, create a new subdirectory (folder), then specify a separate LIBNAME statement for that new subdirectory (folder)-- which SAS calls a Library -- and add the v612 engine.

      libname xyz v612 '~/sas6lib'; /*<--UNIX example **/
      libname xyz v612 'c:\sas6lib'; /*<--Windows example**/
      libname xyz v612 'Hard_Disk:Sas6Lib'; /*<--Macintosh example**/

    where xyz is an arbitrary nickname of your choice, and sas6lib is an example of the location you have set up for your Version 6 files.

    NOTE that when you are using both Version 6 and Version 7 (or later) SAS Data Sets, they must be stored in different Libraries (subdirectories, folders). In this situation, you would use two different LIBNAME statements with the V612 engine specified only on one of them.

    After your two LIBNAME statements have been submitted, you can then use PROC COPY or a DATA step to create the new (Version 6) data set or catalog. Here are two complete examples:

    DATA STEP Example: 

      libname abc 'c:\v8files';
libname xyz v612 'c:\sas6lib';
data xyz.oranges; set abc.oranges;

    PROC COPY Example:

      libname abc 'c:\v8files';
libname xyz v612 'c:\sas6lib';
proc copy in=abc out=xyz;
    If you are making a transport file to move your data or catalogs to another type of system (e.g., Windows to UNIX), you will need to create a so-called "Version 5" transport file using PROC COPY and a LIBNAME statement with the XPORT engine. For instructions and examples, please visit:

      
http://www.usc.edu/its/doc/statistics/sas/faq/acrossystems/proc-copy.html
    For more information on these and other Version 7, 8 and 9 issues, please visit the following sites:

    • SAS Under UNIX (ITS help document)(Specifically the section called "Release 7 and Higher: Special Considerations")
    • Other links in this directory
    • ITS page on SAS Version 7, 8 and 9 News and Information