Introduction

To program effectively using SAS, you need to understand basic concepts about SAS programs and the SAS files that they process. In particular, you need to be familiar with SAS data sets.

In this lesson, you'll examine a simple SAS program and see how it works. You'll learn details about SAS data sets (which are files that contain data that is logically arranged in a form that SAS can understand). Finally, you'll see how SAS data sets are stored temporarily or permanently in SAS libraries.


SAS program, SAS data library, and SAS files

Note:

To illustrate concepts that are taught, this and other lessons provide many examples of SAS code. However, practice data is supplied only for the programs that are specified in guided practices. To identify guided practices, look for the following text at the top of the page:

Try It! logo for practices

1 hour



In this lesson, you learn about

  • the structure and components of SAS programs
  • the steps involved in processing SAS programs
  • SAS libraries and the types of SAS files that they contain
  • temporary and permanent SAS libraries
  • the structure and components of SAS data sets.

  • know common computer terminology
  • be familiar with your operating environment, including its file structure and basic commands
  • be familiar with your browser, monitor, keyboard, and mouse.