Writing Python inside SAS 9.4

[nstdt]

I need to use Python within SAS 9.4.

I have Anaconda installed on my laptop. The IT in my organisation was unable to help me. 

What is the process to start using Python from SAS 9.4.?

Could anyone advice me on what additional SAS modules or extensions I need?

Thank you

[Quentin]

There are some tips in this thread:

https://communities.sas.com/t5/SAS-Programming/Executing-python-code-from-SAS-Environment/td-p/76964...

[Patrick]

Python must be installed on a machine where SAS can call it. That's not the machine where your SAS client runs but where the SAS Server executes the SAS code.

I've done something like this a few months back in a SAS9.4 environment. Python was already installed on the server but I had to request additional libraries. Anaconda is certainly not installed and something you would need to request from your IT department/SAS Admins.

In my case integration between SAS and Python was very simple: SAS did the data prep and created a SAS table, then I just called the Python program via call system() that then read the SAS table via Pandas and did its thing (in my case created an Excel workbook with functionality like drop down validation that I couldn't do with SAS).

[nstdt]

Thanks for the reply. When you say "That's not the machine where your SAS client runs but where the SAS Server executes the SAS code" - I assume you mean that Python needs to be installed in the Server , not just my laptop (I am not even very sure what a server is, but I do know it's not my local laptop). I guess I must call the IT desk and ask them if they have Python in the server used by my department. If I'm missing anything, please let me know.

Also, as the other response mentioned, I tried following the suggestions here:https://go.documentation.sas.com/doc/en/bicdc/9.4/biasag/n1mquxnfmfu83en1if8icqmx8cdf.htm

and typed in the commands given there  into SAS but only get these Error messages in the Log:

1    set MAS_M2PATH="C:\SASServer\SASHome\SASFoundation\9.4\tkmas\sasmisc\mas2py.py"
     ---
     180
ERROR 180-322: Statement is not valid or it is used out of proper order.

2    set MAS_PYPATH="c:\python\python.exe"

[Patrick]

Yes, not your laptop unless you've got a local SAS installation which becomes rarer and rarer.

You can get the name of the server where SAS executes by issuing below in a SAS command Window

%put &=syshostname;

The set commands are OS commands that create and populate OS level environment variables. 

You can also create and populate such variables out of a SAS session using EXAMPLE code like below. ...don't execute it. The path must match your environment, and it's best done by an Admin as part of environment configuration.

options SET=MAS_PYPATH="c:\python\python.exe";

[nstdt]

Hmm, in my case, I may actually have a local SAs installation - but I really don't know for sure.

I tried your put code - does this mean anything to you? Thanks again!

1    %put &=syshostname;
SYSHOSTNAME=DESKTOP-JU738BM

[Patrick]

This could indicate that you are running SAS locally which then also would mean you can call your local Python.

What client are you using for running SAS? EG, Studio, "PC SAS"? 

If using EG is the server you're connecting to called "local"? 

[nstdt]

It's not EG for sure. I think it's PC SAS. I just pull it up from my Start menu on Windows , on my personal laptop. There's no official password or anything, although it was installed through my work department.

[nstdt]

I can see this as well:

[Patrick]

Then you're at luck. You're using the old fashioned display manager that sits right on top of SAS. 

It depends a bit what you want to do with Python but if it's something as simple as what I did then it's just about calling Python out of SAS via a call system() or X command or similar.

[SASKiwi]

Does this post help - the code examples should work equally as well for you.

[Sajid01]

Hello @nstdt 
The SAS documentation requires creating environment variables at the operating system level rather then run the set command in the SAS EG as you have shown in the error message.
In case you are using Windows, You can either run from the command line or set the environment variable in the GUI. For this open up all settings and in the window that opens type Environment variables. There are a number of tutorials on google for this.

[nstdt]

Dear all,

Since I have SAS9.4 installed on my local Windows machine, I tried setting the environment variables  as follows:

MAS_PYPATH = C:\Users\radhi\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python310\python.exe

and 

MAS_M2PATH = C:\Program Files\SASHome\SASFoundation\9.4\tkmas\sasmisc\mas2py.py

And then I tried running the SAS code from their help pages to check:

proc fcmp;
declare object py(python);
submit into py;
def PyProduct(var1, var2):
    "Output: MyKey"
    newvar = var1 * var2
    return newvar,
endsubmit;
rc = py.publish();
rc = py.call("PyProduct", 5, 10);
MyResult = py.results["MyKey"];
put MyResult=;
run;

However, the SAS log shows the following errors:

ERROR: Module 'py' failed to compile in user context 'CMP User Thread'.
NOTE: Module 'py' compilation errors: 
ERROR: MAS_PYPATH environment variable is undefined.
ERROR:
      tkmaspyPublish encountered a failure in tkmaspyConnect, rc=0x803FC26A.
ERROR: masPublish encountered a failure.
ERROR: Foreign Language Compilation messages:
ERROR: Python compile: ERROR: MAS_PYPATH environment variable is undefined.
ERROR: Python compile: ERROR: tkmaspyPublish encountered a failure in tkmaspyConnect,
       rc=0x803FC26A.
ERROR: Unable to publish program for foreign language execution.
ERROR: Error reported in function 'python:PUBLISH' in statement number 4 at line 80 column 1.
       The statement was:
    1     (80:1)     rc = python:PUBLISH(  )
NOTE: PROCEDURE FCMP used (Total process time):
      real time           0.14 seconds
      cpu time            0.06 seconds

Any idea what may be going wrong?

Thanks.

[nstdt]

 edited the PYPATH as follows:

C:\Users\radhi\anaconda3

but still get errors as below:

ERROR: Module 'py' failed to compile in user context 'CMP User Thread'.
NOTE: Module 'py' compilation errors: 
ERROR: MAS_PYPATH environment variable is undefined.
ERROR:
      tkmaspyPublish encountered a failure in tkmaspyConnect, rc=0x803FC26A.
ERROR: masPublish encountered a failure.
ERROR: Foreign Language Compilation messages:
ERROR: Python compile: ERROR: MAS_PYPATH environment variable is undefined.
ERROR: Python compile: ERROR: tkmaspyPublish encountered a failure in tkmaspyConnect,
       rc=0x803FC26A.
ERROR: Unable to publish program for foreign language execution.
ERROR: Error reported in function 'python:PUBLISH' in statement number 4 at line 94 column 1.
       The statement was:
    1     (94:1)     rc = python:PUBLISH(  )
NOTE: PROCEDURE FCMP used (Total process time):
      real time           0.13 seconds
      cpu time            0.09 seconds

[Sajid01]

Sorry to hear about the error.

The error "ERROR: MAS_PYPATH environment variable is undefined." implies
that this environment variable is not available.
The environment variable must be defined either as a system environment
variable OR as the user running the SAS code.
Defining system environment variable requires administrator privileges.
On a Desktop this must be done as an administrator user.

The value of environment variable *MAS_PYPATH* should be the full path
to the location where python interpreter "python.exe" is actually
installed.Please add this location of python interpreter to the PATH
environment variable too.