Efficient Way to Learn SAS

with Virtually No Cost

Mirjana Stojanovic
Statistical Programmer
Chapel Hill, NC
MMStojanovic:
Stojanovic:
M

MStojanovic:
Stojanovic:

Learning
Learning from
from WEB
WEB sites
sites
Find
 Find out
out WEB
WEB sites
sites which
which is is the
the most
most
suitable
suitable for
for your
your needs
needs
Follow
 Follow instructions
instructions or or copy
copy andand paste
paste into
into
SAS
SAS learning
learning edition
edition (optional)
(optional)
Check
 Check back
back frequently
frequently and
and check
check links
links which
which
you
you will
will use
use the
the most
most of of the
the time
time
 FirstObs.com
http://www.firstobs.com

Detailed and compact

Broad spectrum of information
Good links to other sites
Not too narrative
Basic and advanced procedures
 FirstObs.com (cont.)
http://www.firstobs.com

 Tutorial List
 Net Resources expanded list of
Internet resources
 SAS Community

Search FirstObs.com site by keyword a
 FirstObs.com (cont.)
http://www.firstobs.com

Data step
 Combining data files
 Execute: if...Then
 Functions
 Reading raw data
 Retain statement
 FirstObs.com (cont.)
http://www.firstobs.com

SAS procedure
Proc Format
Proc Freq
Proc Print
Proc Sort
Proc Contents
Institute for Clinical and Epidemiologic Research
http://hsrd.durham.med.va.gov/Biostat/training/SAS%20presentation%20v10.pdf

 Comprehensive manual
 Easy to follow

 Simple sentences

 Descriptive explanation
 Programming mistakes and how
to avoid them
Institute for Clinical and Epidemiologic Research
http://hsrd.durham.med.va.gov/Biostat/training/SAS%20presentation%20v10.pdf

Basic Components of SAS

- Getting Data into a SAS Data Set
- Types of SAS Data Sets
- Permanent Data Sets - Libname
Statement
- Using Existing SAS Data Set
* Set Statement
* Merge Statement
Institute for Clinical and Epidemiologic Research
http://hsrd.durham.med.va.gov/Biostat/training/presentation%20II%20v10.pdf

Introduction to SAS Procedures

 Proc Means
 Proc Univariate
 Proc Freq
 Proc Contents
 Proc Plot
Virginia Commonwealth University
http://www.people.vcu.edu/~rjohnson/bios524/Cody%20Notes/index.html

 Based on Cody and Pass, SAS

Programming by Example
 Very clear and simple sentences
 Descriptive explanation
 Easy navigation
 Remarks/Hints in red color
 One example per page
Virginia Commonwealth University (cont.)
http://www.people.vcu.edu/~rjohnson/bios524/Cody%20Notes/index.html

Chapter 1.
What goes on in the data step?
- The compilation phase
- The execution phase
Chapter 8.
“Remembering" values from previous
observations
 RHO, Inc.
http://www.rhoworld.com/index_services_biostats.htm

Explanation through LOG messages(Note)

Miscellaneous programming materials
Tutorial on the SAS system
Good summary at the end of chapters
Examples supported with explanations
Chapter 1. Introduction
Chapter 2. Introduction to Computers
Chapter 3. Introduction to SAS
Chapter 4. Using SAS Procedures
Chapter 5. Transforming SAS Data Sets
Chapter 6. SAS Programming
Chapter 7. Managing and Combining SAS Data Sets
Chapter 8. Using External Files with SAS
Chapter 9. Report Writing
Chapter 10. Matrix Algebra with SAS/IML
Chapter 11. Statistical Graphics with SAS/Graph
Chapter 12. Data Entry and Editing with SAS/FSP
Chapter 13. The Macro Language
Chapter 14. Miscellaneous Programming Materials
Chapter 15. Research Data Management
 RHO, Inc.
http://www.rhoworld.com/index_services_biostats.htm

Chapter 5.
 Transforming SAS Data Sets
a. Creating new SAS data sets
b. Creating and transforming
variables
c. Subsetting observations
d. Subsetting variables
WHERE vs IF
The WHERE statement works before observation are brought into the
data step(that is the PROGRAM DATA VECTOR) .
The IF statement works on observation that are already in the data step.
The WHERE statement is not executable, but the IF statement is
The WHERE statement operates only on observations in SAS data sets,
whereas the IF statement can operate either on observations from existing
SAS data sets or on observations created with an input statement.
If
a BY statement does not accompany a SET or MERGE statement, the
WHERE and IF statements usually produce the same result
In almost all cases a WHERE statement is more efficient than an IF
statement(observations do not have to be moved into the PDV)
TheWHERE statement, but not the IF statement can be used in SAS
PROCS .
 RHO, Inc.
http://www.rhoworld.com/index_services_biostats.htm

Chapter 7.
COMBINING AND MANAGING SAS DA
a. Multiple input data sets
b. SAS special variables
c. Reshaping SAS data sets
d. Data library management
 RHO, Inc.
http://www.rhoworld.com/index_services_biostats.htm

MISCELLANEOUS PROGRAMMING
MATERIALS
 University of Central Florida
http://dms.stat.ucf.edu/Sta4102notes/Prog2/Chapter10/STA4102-Chapter10.ppt

Chapter 10
 Well animated
 Step by step explanations
 Refresher Quiz
 Different color for better understanding
University of Central Florida(cont.)
http://dms.stat.ucf.edu/Sta4102notes/Prog1/Chapter5/Chapter5-STA4102.ppt

 Chapter 5
Process flow of Subseting IF
How to create SAS variable conditionally
 University of Central Florida
(cont.)
http://dms.stat.ucf.edu/Sta4102notes/Prog2/Chapter9/Chapter9-STA4102.ppt

 Chapter9
Refresher Quiz
 Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm.
Paul Dickman
 http://www.pauldickman.com/teaching/sas/index.

 http://www.pauldickman.com/teaching/sas/set_by
 http://www.pauldickman.com/teaching/sas/sas_tip

 http://www.pauldickman.com/teaching/sas/sas_tip
 National Institute of Health
http://support.cit.nih.gov/statsoft/training/classrm/courstmp.htm

SAS Programming Fundamentals I

http://support.cit.nih.gov/Statsoft/training/crsnotes/p
SAS Programming Fundamentals II
http://support.cit.nih.gov/statsoft/training/crsnotes/fun2
National Institute of Health (cont.)

 Systematic explanations
 Plenty of good examples
 Exercises included
 Creating maps with SAS
 National Institute of Health
http://support.cit.nih.gov/statsoft/training/classrm/courstmp.htm

Producing Tables with SAS

Producing Graphs with SAS
Producing Reports with SAS
Using the SAS System for Elementary Statistical A

Using Proc Freq in the SAS System to Perform Ca

 University of Florida
http://ifasstat.ufl.edu/sta4702/pdf/SASIntro.pdf

 Descriptive
 Choosing different color for a better
understanding
 Presentation in pictures
 University of Florida (cont.)
http://ifasstat.ufl.edu/sta4702/pdf/SASIntro.pdf

 Rules of SAS Use

 General Form of a SAS Program
 Different ways one can read in data using
SAS
 Reading Data from an External Text File
 SAS Datasets
 University of Florida (cont.)
http://ifasstat.ufl.edu/sta4702/pdf/SASIntro.pdf

 Temporary and Permanent SAS Data Sets

 Creating a Permanent Data Set
 List Input
 Delimited Files
 Combining Data Sets
Andrew Karp on Proc Means
http://www.hasug.org/HASUG%20_PR

http://www2.sas.com/proceedings/su
http://www.dasconsultants.com/pape
 SAS Customer Support Center

 http://support.sas.com/documentation/onlinedoc/c

 http://support.sas.com/publishing/pdf/57198_ch3p
Using PROC MEANS and PROC FREQ
to count MISSING VALUES
The Pennsylvania State University
http://www.stat.psu.edu/~jianchu/STAT480.htm#lecture%20Notes

Clear short examples

Homework's and solutions
Examples on one page
Easy to follow
Given advantages
 The Pennsylvania State University (cont.)
http://www.stat.psu.edu/~jianchu/STAT480.htm#lecture%20Notes

http://www.stat.psu.edu/~jianchu/GettingStartted_file
Getting data into the SAS system
Working with your SAS data: Part I
Working with your SAS data: Part II
Working with multiple SAS data sets
Working with statistics
The Pennsylvania State University
http://www.stat.psu.edu/~dcsteven/stat480/

Quiz 1 (with correct answers)

Quiz 2 (with correct answers)
 http://www.sasusers.com/links/default

 Information& Resources
for SAS® Users

 Stats & SAS Links:

 General Topics
 http://www.sys-seminar.com/SASArticles.htm

Newsletter “Missing semicolon”

SAS Tips
Small but useful examples, SAS news
Keep your attention from the beginning to
the end
 SAS: the SAS Users'
Group List (SUG-L)
What is SUG-L?
SUG-L is a listserv-based mailing list for SAS users
throughout the Research Triangle area.
The list provides a way for users in the area to exchange
information about SAS problems and questions.
 Meetings of The Research Triangle SAS Users Group
(RTSUG) are announced on this list.
 SAS Newsgroup
comp.soft-sys.sas
 This newsgroup and SAS-L are
joined(mirrored) so
that the messages sent to one will also be
sent to the other.
 Deja.com Power Search provides an easy
way to read comp.soft-sys.sas and
search the archives.
 Philip Mason
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/philipmason/

 SAS Tips and Techniques

 SAS related links
 SAS Papers
 Conclusion
 WEB is a golden mine for a learning
 WEB plus combination with other resources
will give a best results
 Complementary ways:
- BBU books
- SUGI, SESUG, PHARMASUG
- SAS Training classes
- Attending SAS Local groups
- Actively using SUG-L
- WORKING EXPERIENCE
 Mirjana Stojanovic
Statistical programmer
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Mstojanovic@nc.rr.com
Tel: (919) 932-6236