What is a good article or book to understand the intuition behind SAS?

[mikepark]

I am new to SAS and I would like to know the history of how it developed today to the present version.

Also, it would be helpful to understand why steps happen in the way that they do. I understand what is happening but not why behind what I am doing. Any suggestions are appreciated. 

[PaigeMiller]

I'm not aware of any history of SAS that you can read. However, "The Little SAS Book" by Delwiche and Slaughter does try to explain, from the beginning, exactly how SAS works and how to write programs, and is worth having for a number of reasons if you are new to SAS.

[Reeza · Accepted solution]

You need to read about the PDV then for a data step, for what's happening in PROCs, that's mostly a black box, though the formula's are provided. For starting out, I would agree that you should start with the Little SAS book.