Date:         Thu, 5 Jun 1997 11:41:35 -0400
Reply-To:     MICHAEL.RAITHEL@RAITHM49.CUSTOMS.SPRINT.COM
Sender:       "SAS(r) Discussion" <SAS-L@UGA.CC.UGA.EDU>
From:         "Michael A. Raithel" <MICHAEL.RAITHEL@RAITHM49.CUSTOMS.SPRINT.COM>
Subject:      Re: label sas data set

 Thomas Huang posted the following:
 
 
 >Hi everyone,
 >Is there a way to label a data set other than below:
 >
 >data mydata (label='my data label');
 >set mydata;
 >run;
 >
 >Because my data set is very large and the data step above would take a
 >long time just to create the label.
 >
 >Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated.
 >
 
 Thomas, you are in luck; there is no need to make a complete pass of
 the data just to give the SAS data set a label!  There are two ways
 that you can approach this particular issue:
 
 1. SAS Display Manager Windows.
 
 A. On the command line invoke the Library window by typing:  LIB
 B. Select the LIBREF of the SAS data library that contains the data
    set that you want to create the label for.  In your example, above,
    that would be the WORK SAS data library.
 C. (You are now in the DIRECTORY window, and should see a list of the
    SAS files in your WORK SAS data library). Invoke the RENAME screen
    function by placing an R to the left of your target data set--MYDATA
    in the example.
 D. You may now type in a 40-character data set label.  Note, that you
    may have to move the window to the left to get to all 40 characters.
 
 
 2. SAS Proc in Batch or Interactive SAS.
 
    PROC DATASETS LIBRARY=WORK;
         MODIFY MYDATA (LABEL='my data label');
    RUN;
 
 
 SAS data set labels are actually stored in a SAS data library's
 Directory, and not in an individual SAS data set's page header.  So,
 changing your SAS data set's label only affects the SAS data Library's
 Directory.  It will not disturb the observations that are peacefully
 slumbering while you quietly steal into their library to give their
 home a 40-character label!
 
 
 I hope that this suggestion proves helpful now, and in the future!
 
 Of course, all of these opinions and insights are my own, and do not
 reflect those of my organization or my associates.
 
 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 Michael A. Raithel
 "The man who wrote the book on performance"
 E-mail: maraithel@mcimail.com
 Author: Tuning SAS Applications in the MVS Environment
 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 ...just say a word and I'll be right at your shoulder, thunder and
 lightening couldn't be bolder...
 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++