SAS 9.1 Language Reference Concepts

Definition of a DICTIONARY Table

A DICTIONARY table is a read-only SAS data view that contains information about SAS data libraries, SAS data sets, SAS macros, and external files that are in use or available in the current SAS session. A DICTIONARY table also contains the settings for SAS system options that are currently in effect.

When you access a DICTIONARY table, SAS determines the current state of the SAS session and returns the desired information accordingly . This process is performed each time a DICTIONARY table is accessed, so that you always have current information.

DICTIONARY tables can be accessed by a SAS program by using either of these methods :

• run a PROC SQL query against the table, using the DICTIONARY libref

• use any SAS procedure or the DATA step, referring to the PROC SQL view of the table in the SASHELP library.

For more information on DICTIONARY tables, including a list of available DICTIONARY tables and their associated SASHELP views, see the Base SAS Procedures Guide .