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Metadata Objects - where are their physical files stored?

As a new user to SAS I always wonder what is metadata. Immediate answer that cross my mind is data about data. In SAS, metadata is a pointer to an external content. Okay, then where is the content? Where they are stored? This article focus about all the metadata objects in SAS and their physical location.
Note: Physical refers to the location (computer or server) where file is stored.

Metadata Objects in SAS

I have seen many SAS admins work with metadata objects, still they didn't learn that they are working with metadata object. If you are one such user below is the list of SAS Metadata Objects in SAS.

Metadata Objects and their physical location

Folder object

It is used to organize data in hierarchy. It doesn't have physical location. It is a virtual view data organized in hierarchy.

Library object

Library object holds the connection information and physical library location. It also have the libref or nickname of the library. Physically it is collection of tables, generally a folder or directory stored in the OS or RDBMS.

Table object

It holds description of the table like what column it has, index information and library where the table is stored. Physically it is table maybe SAS data sets. You might have seen some files with extension sasbdat in SAS host server, they are the tables stored physically.

OLAP cube object

It contains information about description of cube such as dimension, level, measure, drill through table and schema. In physical, OLAP cube will be is a hierarchy of multidimensional data. They are ysed for quick analysis.

Information map object

It holds collection of data items and filters. Inf
o map are used to provide user friendly view of data and don't have physical location. They actually points to table and cubes.

Stored process metadata

It holds the location of SAS code. It can also have other information like server used for execution and the type of output it will create. SAS code will be stored in server.

Report metadata object

Holds location of report and the associated files. Files are usually graphical content will be stored in SAS Content Server.

Server Metadata Object

Contains information about host machine where the server is created. Port details will also be available. In physical location it will be configuration file and log of the server.

User Metadata Object


Will have user id and other user related information such as name, email, display name etc. Physically they are stored as user name and password in authentication provider database.

Group Metadata Object

It is a set of user metadata object. There is no physical location for group metadata object. However you are allowed to associate an external account with a group. 

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