Is it possible to create new SAS program(or task) dynamically through the SAS EG tool?

[Yura2301]

Hi all,

Would like to ask if there is some tech. possibility to create tasks in SAS EG(Version 7.15 HF3) like "on fly", dinamically.

For example, let's assume there is SAS EG project with only one SAS code(program). The SAS code has macro/data steps etc. , and when the user run that SAS program - should be created a few new SAS programs with some concrete names and some content(comments,code etc.) in same EG project below the initial SAS code.

Important to create exactly SAS program, not output data set(that's no problem to output multiply tables from one SAS program).

In ideal case I would like to dynamically build set of related SAS programs, linked between each other, that will looks like:

Thanks in adwanced for any advices!

[SASKiwi]

SAS macro is a code and program generator. It all depends on what you want it to do. Have a look at some of the macro examples posted on the Community.

[Yura2301]

Hi SASKiwi,

Thanks for the reply, but will maybe need to describe the case a bit more in detail.

So I complitely agree  -we can create any looping and dynamicaly create any SAS code, but what I need is a bit different - I would like to create separate SAS codes inside of SAS EG project, for example, initiall EG project can looks like:

Inside of that SAS code I'm planning to do some macro-looping etc., and then according all the logic(if then else etc.) - a few additional SAS programs should occur in the EG project, like that:

I know for sure that I can generate those codes like .sas files on some shared drive and then open them manually in SAS EG, but I would like to skip that manual step and automate that part, so Code_1, Code_2 and Code_3 will be created automatically in SAS EG project.

 What is even more preferable - dynamically creates links(arrows) between SAS programs:

So final results should be like in initial post(set of linked tasks , created and connected(linked) using some sas macro language or maybe EG own features):

Thanks one more time for support!

[ChrisHemedinger · Accepted solution]

If you would like to write a script (using VB Script or PowerShell) to generate a project that has one or more SAS programs, that is possible. See Doing More with SAS Enterprise Guide Automation for explanation and examples.

While the object model for scripting does allow you to add programs "on the fly", you won't be able to establish linked relationships among them. That is supported only in the user interface.

[Yura2301]

Hi Chris,
Thanks for the explanation!
So just to be sure:
1.Using some scripting languge (like PowerShell) - it's doable to create EG project with needed number of SAS programs.
2.It's not possible link SAS programs between each other using SAS macro etc., am I right?

Just would like to clarify one more related point, maybe another but a bit similar scenario -if one code generates a few dataset, one base on another, can it somehowe maybe possible to visualize that dependency in SAS EG:

So in Sas code "Macro" was created Test1 table, and then I manually using wizard add filter after it, so it's visible now that there are two steps.

So the question is - is it possible add 2 steps into first "Macro" sas code but EG somehow will show that second output was made from the first one(by link or arrow).

Based on your last explanations it's probably not possible, but maybe there is some workaround.

Thanks one more tiome for support!

[ChrisHemedinger]

Hi @Yura2301,

Using the automation model it's not possible to make those dependencies show in the flow. The only "task" you can create dynamically is the Code (program) task, and while it may show output data when it runs, another Code node won't show an input data with a link pointing in. You can add that link manually in the UI, but not via script. 

[Yura2301]

Hi Chris,
Thanks for quick and proffessional answers!
Have a nice weekend!