Supported by: ACS
SAS (pronounced "sass") is a comprehensive computer software system designed for statistical analysis, data management, and report writing.
SAS is one of the most comprehensive statistical and data manipulation packages available. The statistical analyses range from the calculation of simple descriptive statistics to complex multivariate techniques, econometrics, and time series analysis.
SAS can read data in almost any form from almost any kind of file, including files containing hierarchical data, variable-length records, and multiple record types. For modifying data, SAS provides a complete set of mathematical, statistical, and character-handling transformations. Another useful feature is a macro processor that allows you to define a set of SAS statements and invoke them with a single statement.
SAS can be used for subsetting, concatenating, merging, interleaving, and sorting observations from several sets of data. You can also easily generate tables and reports, either by using pre-programmed formats or by designing your own layout.
The easiest way to start up SAS is to position the mouse cursor over the SAS: Statistical Analysis item in the RCS Applications menu on the screen, and click the left mouse button on this menu item. If you have selected it successfully, it should briefly appear highlighted in a black rectangle.
You may also start the package by typing sas file at a UNIX prompt, where file is the name of the file containing your SAS program. A SAS input file should have the .sas extension; for example, file.sas.
Your error output will be placed in the file file.log and your program output will be in the file file.lst.
For more information on using SAS, refer to the documentation cited below.
An extensive amount of SAS-related documentation is available on reserve at the Folsom Library, and via the ACS Help Desk in the VCC.
Additional SAS information is also available in the online SAS manual page (man page), which you may access by typing man sas at a UNIX prompt.
SAS Institute, Inc.
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