BASE SAS users are already familiar with the autoexec file. This is a .sas file that typically resides in the installation folder of the SAS executable. Instructions for setting it up in UNIX, Windows, and other environments is readily available on the SAS website. In SAS BI configurations there are autoexec.sas as well as autoexec_usermods.sas SAS programs scattered throughout but which one(s) should be edited? Three tips:
- Avoid future conflicts: SAS recommends that no matter where they are located, you should edit the "_usermods.sas" version to avoid conflicts in installing future upgrades/updates.
- Where do you need the information: You can preassign SAS libraries, set default options, point to macro and format locations, or create global macro variables with these autoexec files, just choose wisely where you need the information available.
- Precedence is important: There is also a main autoexec.sas file for the entire SAS installation at: C:\\Program Files\\SASHome\\SASFoundation\\9.3\\autoexec.sas. This is the granddaddy file that drives everything else. Of course an option here could then be overwritten by an option down the stream in another autoexec_usermods.sas file. So understand the order of precedence.
|
Purpose |
directory |
filename |
|---|---|---|
| Affects all servers within the application server context | \\SASApp | appserver_autoexec_usermods.sas |
| The SAS Schedule Server can execute jobs on the BatchServer. Changes to this file only affect the BatchServer jobs. | \\SASApp\\BatchServer | autoexec_usermods.sas |
| Only the Connect Server | \\SASApp\\ConnectServer | autoexec_usermods.sas |
| Only the OLAP Server | \\SASApp\\OLAPServer | autoexec_usermods.sas |
| Only the Pooled Workspace Server | \\SASApp\\PooledWorkspaceServer | autoexec_usermods.sas |
| Only the Stored Process Server | \\SASApp\\StoredProcessServer | autoexec_usermods.sas |
| Only the Workspace Server | \\SASApp\\WorkspaceServer | autoexec_usermods.sas |
| Affects all services within the SASMeta application server context (recommended for use by SAS Administrators managing SAS applications) | \\SASMeta | appserver_autoexec_usermods.sas |
| SASMeta - Batch Server only | \\SASMeta\\BatchServer | autoexec_usermods.sas |
| SASMeta - Workspace Server only | \\SASMeta\\WorkspaceServer | autoexec_usermods.sas |
| Scheduling Server | \\SchedulingServer | autoexec_usermods.sas |
| Share Server | \\ShareServer | autoexec_usermods.sas |
3 Comments
Still needs a good diagram and explaination. Which files point to others with %includes ? How can I tell which files are going to be used when I'm using EG, EM, Addin for Office, web app etc. ? Should everything use the "_usermods" variation so what is the default used for ?
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