Learning SAS by Example

Learn to program SAS by example! Learning SAS by Example, A Programmer’s Guide, Second Edition, teaches SAS programming from very basic concepts to more advanced topics. Because most programmers prefer examples rather than reference-type syntax, this book uses short examples to explain each topic. The second edition has brought this classic book on SAS programming up to the latest SAS version, with new chapters that cover topics such as PROC SGPLOT and Perl regular expressions. This book belongs on the shelf (or e-book reader) of anyone who programs in SAS, from those with little programming experience who want to learn SAS to intermediate and even advanced SAS programmers who want to learn new techniques or identify new ways to accomplish existing tasks.

In an instructive and conversational tone, author Ron Cody clearly explains each programming technique and then illustrates it with one or more real-life examples, followed by a detailed description of how the program works. The text is divided into four major sections: Getting Started, DATA Step Processing, Presenting and Summarizing Your Data, and Advanced Topics. Subjects addressed include

Reading data from external sources
Learning details of DATA step programming
Subsetting and combining SAS data sets
Understanding SAS functions and working with arrays
Creating reports with PROC REPORT and PROC TABULATE
Getting started with the SAS macro language
Leveraging PROC SQL
Generating high-quality graphics
Using advanced features of user-defined formats and informats
Restructuring SAS data sets
Working with multiple observations per subject
Getting started with Perl regular expressions

You can test your knowledge and hone your skills by solving the problems at the end of each chapter.

Author Biography

Ron Cody, EdD, is a retired professor from the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School who now works as a national instructor for SAS and as an author of books on SAS and statistics. A SAS user since 1977, Ron’s extensive knowledge and innovative style have made him a popular presenter at local, regional, and national SAS conferences. He has authored or co-authored numerous books, as well as countless articles in medical and scientific journals.