topic Re: Inability to read files correctly in SAS Certification

Inability to read files correctly

Labran — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 23:40:36 GMT

Hi everyone,

I am new in this community and I am a toddler in SAS.

I am willing to write the SAS Base Programming Certification soon but I have challenges.

Currently trying to solve some SAS prep questions but I got 6 observations (all missing) with the two original variables from the SAS (input13.sas7bdat) dataset provided with the program below. Could anyone kindly help me fix the problem?

Thanks.

***********************************************************************************

libname programs '/folders/myfolders/cert/programs';

data programs.output13;
infile '/folders/myfolders/cert/input/input13.sas7bdat';
input date charnum;
informat charnum dollar7.;
format date date9.;
run;

Re: Inability to read files correctly

Mark2010 — Thu, 04 Jun 2020 00:46:57 GMT

@Labran,

There is fair amount wrong with the code below (you don't need infile/input to read a sas data set, only a set statement). I think certification and the practice exam should take a back burner for the moment and take some time with SAS training. I would start with the Programming 1 eLearning, available for free.

Re: Inability to read files correctly

Reeza — Thu, 04 Jun 2020 01:51:23 GMT

You don't use infile to read a sas data set, you use infile for text files.

libname input '/folders/myfolders/cert/input';

data output13;
set input.input13;
format date date9.;
run;

I'm not exactly sure why you'd be writing/saving SAS data sets to your programs folder either, that doesn't make a ton of sense IMO. My suggestion would echo @Mark2010 to first take the full training courses to learn SAS effectively and then consider taking the certification exams when you're more prepared. SAS is not similar to R/Python so there may be a learning curve even if you do have prior programming experience.

Re: Inability to read files correctly

Labran — Thu, 04 Jun 2020 08:47:37 GMT

Whao! This is so simple and works absolutely fine. Thanks a million.

I have had training on SAS but I had a rough ride because I am new in programming. Although SAS may be tricky, It is interesting. I will appreciate your advice on what resources I need to go through to understand the programming language.

Re: Inability to read files correctly

Labran — Thu, 04 Jun 2020 08:51:33 GMT

Thanks @Mark2010 for your contribution. I have attended training in SAS but I still mix things up. I will appreciate if you can suggest resources that would aid my understanding of the programming language. Thank you.

Re: Inability to read files correctly

Mark2010 — Thu, 04 Jun 2020 11:05:55 GMT

The suggested preparation materials are listed on the credential web page.

There are a ton of tutorial videos on our training page and YouTube SAS Users Channel. (scroll down the training page for links).

Re: Inability to read files correctly

Reeza — Fri, 05 Jun 2020 16:23:03 GMT

The first training course covers topics such as the SAS library and how to access data sets.

I would suggest re-taking it. Scroll half way down the page to the Free SAS training (not the 30 day ones)

https://www.sas.com/en_us/training/offers/free-training.html

If you read through this and understand it all, you'll pass the exam. Yes, it's long.

https://documentation.sas.com/?cdcId=pgmsascdc&cdcVersion=9.4_3.3&docsetId=basess&docsetTarget=titlepage.htm&locale=en

The Little SAS Book is another really good set of exercises to practice.

https://www.amazon.com/Little-SAS-Book-Primer-Sixth-ebook/dp/B07Z7B5PZ6/ref=rtpb_4/143-6979487-6409943?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07Z7B5PZ6&pd_rd_r=0e4e6990-75e9-4e64-b48a-74501756bb44&pd_rd_w=j5beg&pd_rd_wg=ASEqD&pf_rd_p=a136a256-ecb3-4f84-bbd0-fbb4daa17979&pf_rd_r=NXBCAJPAZ5GKRHJBWV90&psc=1&refRID=NXBCAJPAZ5GKRHJBWV90

I've compiled a list of mostly free resources here for specific topics.

https://github.com/statgeek/SAS-Tutorials/blob/master/Base_Certification_Resource_Guide.md

And you can always search lexjansen.com for papers on specific topics. I suggest looking at the guide for the certification and ensuring you understand every topic listed and if not, do a deep dive using one of the above resources.

Re: Inability to read files correctly

Labran — Fri, 05 Jun 2020 22:52:11 GMT

Thanks @Mark2010 . The information you provided proved to be useful.

Re: Inability to read files correctly

Labran — Fri, 05 Jun 2020 22:53:49 GMT

So much appreciation, @Reeza . I will go through the resources. Thank you.