What is the consequence of using my own autoexec.sas file?

Question

I want to write my own autoexec.sas file, but I don't want to lose any functionality that I might have had from the default autoexec.sas file(s).

When I do a SASHome directory search, I find many files with this name. Do all of these files execute by default after the SAS system initializes? Or just one of the files?

Where do I save my own autoexec.sas file so that the other files still execute, along with my own?

Just starting here. Thank you very much.

Answer 1

The following links from SAS documentation should help answer your question on impact, storage and order of execution of autoexec file :

Customizing Your SAS Session by Using Configuration and Autoexec Files

Files Used by SAS -> SAS Autoexec File

Answer 2

You really shouldn't edit the usermods file. When you upgrade versions you'll lose all of your changes. There's actually a specific autoexec file designed just for this purpose -- autoexec_usermods.sas

That's where you'll want to keep your site specific modifications -- this way when you upgrade versions your transition will be relatively seamless.

I think you will want to edit these 3 usermods files: opt-biserver-Lev1-SASMeta opt-biserver-Lev1-SASMeta-MetadataServer opt-biserver-Lev1-SASMeta-WorkspaceServer