SAS 9.4 Language Reference, 6th Edition

Assigning a Password to an Existing Data Set

You can use the MODIFY statement in the DATASETS procedure to assign passwords

to unprotected members if the SAS data file already exists.

/* assign an alter password to STUDENTS */

proc datasets library=mylib;

modify students(alter=red);

run;

Assigning a Password with a Procedure

You can assign a password after an OUT= data set specification in some procedures.

/* assign a write and an alter password to SCORE */

proc sort data=mylib.math

out=mylib.score(write=yellow alter=red);

by number;

run;

You can assign a password in a CREATE TABLE or a CREATE VIEW statement in

PROC SQL.

/* assign an alter password to the SAS view BDAY */

proc sql;

create view mylib.bday(alter=red) as

query-expression;

Assigning a Password with the SAS Windowing Environment

You can create or change passwords for any data file using the Password Window in the

SAS windowing environment. To invoke the Password Window from the ToolBox, use

the global command SETPASSWORD followed by the filename. This opens the

password window for the specified data file.

Assigning a Password outside of SAS

A SAS password does not control access to a SAS file beyond the SAS system. You

should use the operating system-supplied utilities and file-system security controls in

order to control access to SAS files outside of SAS.

Removing or Changing Passwords

To remove or change a password, use the MODIFY statement in the DATASETS

procedure. For more information, see “DATASETS Procedure” in Base SAS Procedures

Guide.

732 Chapter 36 • File Protection