SAS Programming: Getting Started, a Free Learning Journey

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The most common question I’ve been asked as a SAS programming instructor is, “Where do I begin?” If you are new to SAS programming and want a great FREE resource to get started, then continue reading.

As part of learn.sas.com, we’ve created a new free course, SAS Programming: Getting Started. This collection of learning assets provides a tour of what is possible with programming in either SAS 9 or SAS Viya. The material is flexible so you can go through it sequentially at your own pace, or you can pick and choose topics that interest you. If you spend 30-60 minutes each day, you should be able to get through the course in 3 weeks. And as a bonus, most topics are hands-on so you can write your own code as you learn!

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We present each topic with a combination of videos, readings, and hands-on activities. Here's an overview of the great content you will find.

Week 1: Basic SAS Syntax and Data Access

In the first several topics, we focus on basic SAS programming. You get connected with our free SAS-hosted learning software and you write your first SAS program. Then you learn to access and import data, explore data, and prepare data with SAS code.

Week 2: Data Preparation and Visualization

Next, you dive a bit deeper into the SAS programming language and explore common skills in a SAS programmer’s toolbox. You learn to join tables with the DATA step, query data with PROC SQL, generate dynamic programs with the SAS macro language, and visualize data with reports and graphs. Example programs are explained with detailed comments, and they can be executed in your practice or production software.

Week 3: Programming Specialty Topics

Finally, we highlight several specialty topics relevant to programmers. You learn to share your results in common formats, such as Excel or PDF, and considerations for program efficiency. You learn about unique programming features in SAS Viya, including building visual data pipelines with SAS Studio Flows and accelerating code processing with Cloud Analytics Services. And for the open-source programmers out there, you learn how to integrate SAS and open-source languages, such as Python and R.

Along the way, we provide suggestions to extend your learning on each topic, including links to additional resources and courses. Our courses can all be taken online with a live instructor or as self-paced E-Learning.

So now you know where to go to get started with SAS Programming! We also offer free Getting Started courses for other areas as well. Check them out:

Find more articles from SAS Global Enablement and Learning here.

TomVirgin · ‎05-31-2024

Hey beautiful souls! Embarking on a free learning journey with SAS Programming is like tapping into a world of data magic! From basic syntax to advanced data visualization, this course covers it all at your own pace. If you're also diving into research and need some literature review assistance, don't hesitate to get some expert help. Combining tech skills with solid academic grounding is the way to go. Keep learning and spreading those good vibes!