# sas7bdat: reconstructing the SAS7BDAT database format

> sas7bdat reconstructs the binary layout of SAS7BDAT database files by examining sample databases for interoperability with R. Its format study covers headers, pages, subheaders, packed data, platform differences and compression, alongside a prototype R reader.

- Type: Case study
- Targets: App
- Category: Independent reconstruction cases
- Relationship: Independent reconstruction project
- Sources reviewed: 2026-11-08
- Added to the catalog: 2026-11-09
- Original resource: <https://github.com/BioStatMatt/sas7bdat>
- Primary source: <https://github.com/BioStatMatt/sas7bdat/blob/d6f8942fe341a236e7ffe11dbfcb83e776ad662d/README>
- Catalog page: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/sas7bdat-format-study-case/>
- Record JSON: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/sas7bdat-format-study-case/record.json>
- Chinese version: [简体中文](https://awesomerea.org/zh/resources/sas7bdat-format-study-case/index.md)

## Requirements & limits

- **Prerequisites:** R is required to use the prototype reader.
- **Limits:** The repository is archived and directs readers to forks for newer format specifications.
- **License:** The format vignette is CC BY-SA 3.0 licensed; no repository licence file is present.

## Primary sources

1. <https://github.com/BioStatMatt/sas7bdat/blob/d6f8942fe341a236e7ffe11dbfcb83e776ad662d/README>
2. <https://github.com/BioStatMatt/sas7bdat/blob/d6f8942fe341a236e7ffe11dbfcb83e776ad662d/vignettes/sas7bdat.rst>

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## About this entry

The description was reviewed against primary sources.
Original editorial content: MIT. Linked projects, papers and assets retain their own rights and licenses.