The Little SAS Book, 6th Edition

CHAPTER  1

Getting Started Using SAS Software

1.1    The SAS Language

1.2    SAS Data Sets

1.3    DATA and PROC Steps

1.4    The DATA Step’s Built-in Loop

1.5    Choosing a Method for Running SAS

1.6    Reading the SAS Log

1.7    Using SAS System Options

1.1    The SAS Language

Many software applications are either menu driven, or command driven (enter a command—see the result). SAS is neither. With SAS, you use statements to write a series of instructions called a SAS program. The program communicates what you want to do and is written using the SAS language. There are some menu-driven front ends to SAS, for example, SAS Enterprise Guide, which make SAS appear like a point-and-click program. However, these front ends still use the SAS language ...