Mastering PROC SQL: Best Practices for Seamlessly Adding Columns
Mastering PROC SQL: Best Practices for Seamlessly Adding Columns Mastering PROC SQL: Best Practices for Seamlessly Adding Columns PROC SQL in SAS is a powerful tool, especially when you need to add new columns to existing tables. Whether you're updating tables with new data or making calculated columns, following best practices ensures your code is efficient, maintainable, and easy to understand. 1. Use ALTER TABLE to Add Columns The most straightforward way to add a column to a table is by using the ALTER TABLE statement. It allows you to add one or more columns without disrupting the existing data structure. proc sql; alter table your_table_name add new_column1 num format=8. label='New Column 1', new_column2 char(20) label='New Column 2'; quit; Tip: Always specify the data type ( num for numeric, char(n) for character) and add useful formats and labels to keep your columns clear and organized. 2. Av...