What is your thought on SAS as a tool for data science

[koltyn]

I just moved from Python to SAS for 4 months due to new job requirements. I wonder how you think SAS compared with other languages, any future.

Mine:

- SAS is not so complex. The only problem is we have to memorize weird syntax

- Lots of problem can be solved with proc sql. Unfortunately, proc sql has some different characteristics compared with standard SQL (e.g. why row_number is missing in proc sql????). I likely use SAS mainly for practicing SQL.

- The syntax is unique and not transferrable. If you're in SAS industry for too long, then it's likely hard to move to other jobs with different tool. Unlike if you know MATLAB or Python, you can easily move to R, or even C/C++ (They're interconnected with each other very well, SAS is a standalone hero)

- Company uses SAS likely for security purposes (need an organization who is responsible for the tool if anything bad happened)

- Then SAS Visual Analytics is another story and if you program for Advanced Filter in SAS Viya, then again it's more or less different systax compared with SAS Guide.

What's your thought?

[PaigeMiller]

Likely spam. Or someone trying to start an argument. Duplicate thread on reddit over a year ago. https://www.reddit.com/r/datascience/comments/np8uqk/what_is_your_thought_on_sas_as_a_tool_for_data/