Chuck, sorry about the format here I screwed it up ...again. Honestly, I **am** a better systems programmer (or even SAS writer) than I am a word processor.

From: Stan Aughenbaugh <0002064261@MCIMAIL.COM> Subject: Re: Datasets Comments: To: Netnews Server <NETNEWS@american.edu> To: Multiple recipients of list SAS-L <SAS-L@uga.cc.uga.edu>

Simple Answer: a sequential dataset is 1 (one) dataset from beginning of data to end of data. A partitioned dataset (PDS) is multiple datasets under one dataset name. eg you get them all accessible by accessing the name. Each member has a 1-8 character name, and each member is basically a sequential dataset of it's own. A PDS has a header that you normally cannot see with the partitioning info in it. an analogy: a letter (sequential dataset) and a mailbox full of letters (PDS) note they may have similar names and addresses, but one is a single unit, and the other is a structure that may have one or more objercts as contents. The implication is that sa sequential dataset relates to itself, and is 'sorta' self defining, but a PDS is **usually** a group of related objects. easier to keep track of... Hope this helps. BTW...I am a systems programmer (MVS and VM) that subscribes and writes SAS. so feel free to contact me if you need more in depth info.

stan a.

Date: Tue Jun 04, 1996 12:14 pm MDT Source-Date: Mon, 3 Jun 1996 18:31:19 GMT From: Netnews Server EMS: INTERNET / MCI ID: 376-5414 MBX: NETNEWS@american.edu

TO: Multiple recipients of list SAS-L EMS: INTERNET / MCI ID: 376-5414 MBX: SAS-L@uga.cc.uga.edu BCC: * Stan Aughenbaugh / MCI ID: 206-4261 Subject: Datasets Message-Id: 41960604181414/0003765414DC4EM Source-Msg-Id: <4ovb1n$4icr@rohcs1.uhc.com> U-Sender: "SAS(r) Discussion" <SAS-L@uga.cc.uga.edu> U-From: Netnews Server <NETNEWS@american.edu> U-Mime-Version: 1.0 U-Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Will somebody give me a simple explanation of the difference between a Sequential Dataset and a Partitioned Dataset? Thanks, Chuck Fradella