SAS error "insufficient memory" on remote queries with wide rows

SAS can give the error The SAS System stopped processing this step because of insufficient memory when querying a single, wide row from a remote SQL Server. The following code fully demonstrates the problem and shows a workaround. Also, I eliminate the explanation that SAS data sets in general do not support rows this wide.

Reusing calculated columns in Netezza and SAS queries

Netezza and SAS allow a query to reference a calculated column by name in the SELECT, WHERE, and ORDER BY clauses. Based on the DRY principle, this reduces code and makes code easier to read and maintain.

Some people call calculated columns derived or computed columns.

In Microsoft SQL Server, SQLite, and other RDBMSs you cannot exactly do this: a workaround is to reference a subquery or view. In Microsoft SQL Server, you can also define a computed column on a table.

Below is an example tested with Netezza 7.2. Notice height_m is used in the SELECT clause, and bmi is used in the WHERE and ORDER BY clauses.