In SQL, there is no concept of an observation number in tables, as there is when using Data step (i.e. _N_ or a SUM statement count+1) with a SAS dataset. In a dataset, we can select data using an observation number by using firstobs= obs= or _N_.
data class;
set sashelp.class;
count+1;
run;
Proc SQL with the NUMBER option prints the row number on a report but does not store the value in the dataset.
In SAS 9 and later, the MONOTONIC() function will return the equivalent observation number that can be stored in the dataset…
proc sql;
create table class1 as
select monotonic() as rowno, *
from sashelp.class;
quit;
You can also the monotonic() to subset the dataset in the where clause to limit the number of records read / outputted to the final dataset...
proc sql;
create table class2 as
select monotonic() as rowno, *
from sashelp.class
where 10 le monotonic() le 20;
quit;
