SAS VA started out life implemented in SAS 9 (traditional SAS). It was then implemented as core functionality on SAS Viya, SAS's new cloud-ready architecture. AFAIK, a SAS Viya installation always includes VA as part of the software bundle. On SAS 9, VA is optional.
You can read for yourself about VA and Viya here
SAS VA is primarily a point-and-click product, no programming required, although it does include its own scripting language for creating formulas.
SAS Viya at its core uses the traditional SAS language so you are better off starting with that if you don't know it already. Check out the free learning resources here
