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CASL Programming for Distributed Computing in SAS® Viya®

Peter Styliadis and Stacey Syphus

Welcome to the CASL Programming for Distributed Computing in SAS Viya course. SAS Viya is an AI, analytic and data management platform running on a scalable, distributed, cloud-native architecture.

In this course you will learn how how to use the native CAS programming language (CASL) to leverage SAS Cloud Analytics Services (CAS), the high-performance, in-memory analytics and distributed computing engine in SAS Viya . You will learn how to use CASL to access, explore, prepare, analyze, and summarize data in the CAS server's massively parallel processing environment.

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Welcome to the CASL Programming for Distributed Computing in SAS Viya course. SAS Viya is an AI, analytic and data management platform running on a scalable, distributed, cloud-native architecture.

In this course you will learn how how to use the native CAS programming language (CASL) to leverage SAS Cloud Analytics Services (CAS), the high-performance, in-memory analytics and distributed computing engine in SAS Viya . You will learn how to use CASL to access, explore, prepare, analyze, and summarize data in the CAS server's massively parallel processing environment.

This is an advanced course, intended for learners with at least one year of programming experience with a modern language: (SAS, R, Python, SQL, and so on), and at least one year of experience working with data. To be successful in this course, you should have a general understanding of fundamental computer programming concepts and the data analytics lifecycle.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

- Understand and use various SAS Viya servers.

- Connect to the CAS server to access and manage data.

- Use CASL to explore, prepare and analyze data.

- Create reports and visualizations using SAS Viya.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview and Logistics
In this module you
Introduction to SAS Viya and CAS
In this module you examine some basic concepts, beginning with an overview of SAS Viya and the two main servers available for processing data: the SA Compute Server and the SAS Cloud Analytics Services (or CAS) server. Then you learn about caslibs, the mechanism for accessing data within the CAS server. Lastly, you will explore the SAS Studio environment and connect to the CAS server.
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores CAS Programming, which is standard in distributed computing industry
Teaches use of CASL, which helps learners leverage SAS Cloud Analytics Services (CAS)
Develops fundamental computer programming concepts and the data analytics lifecycle, which are core skills for data analytics
Taught by Stacey Syphus and Peter Styliadis, who are recognized for their work in SAS Cloud Analytics Services (CAS)
Examines CAS Programming, which is highly relevant to distributed computing

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Reviews summary

Casl programming for sas viya

According to learners, this course provides a strong foundation in CASL programming for distributed computing in SAS Viya, making it highly relevant for professionals. Students particularly praise the practical examples and hands-on labs, which effectively illustrate how to leverage CAS actions for data manipulation and analysis. While the course is comprehensive in covering core CASL concepts and data management within the CAS server, students note its demanding prerequisites; a solid background in programming and data analytics is essential to keep up with the fast-paced content. Some advanced users felt it could delve deeper into optimization techniques.
Solid core coverage, less on advanced optimization techniques.
"The course covers the fundamentals of CASL comprehensively, but I wished for more advanced optimization techniques."
"It's a great introduction to CASL, but don't expect deep dives into every single niche functionality of the language."
"While I learned a lot, I felt some sections could have explored more complex use cases and real-world scenarios."
Requires a solid programming and data analytics background.
"Be warned, this is an advanced course. My existing programming background was crucial to keep up with the material."
"The pace is quite fast, and I'd highly recommend having a strong grasp of data analytics concepts before enrolling."
"I struggled at times because I underestimated the depth of prior SAS Viya knowledge expected for certain topics."
Emphasizes learning through engaging and effective practical exercises.
"The hands-on labs were invaluable; they solidified my understanding of CASL concepts and applications."
"I found the practical examples in the course to be extremely helpful for real-world application."
"The exercises allowed me to immediately apply the concepts learned, making the learning very effective."
Provides practical, essential skills for SAS Viya distributed computing.
"This course is highly relevant for anyone working with SAS Viya and wanting to leverage its distributed computing."
"I gained a strong foundation in CASL and how to effectively use CAS actions for data manipulation and analysis."
"It really helped me understand how to migrate traditional SAS logic to the high-performance CAS server."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in CASL Programming for Distributed Computing in SAS® Viya® with these activities:
Review basic programming concepts
Ensure students have a solid foundation in basic programming concepts, which are essential for understanding and applying CASL programming.
Browse courses on Programming Concepts
Show steps
  • Revisit materials from previous programming courses or online resources on variables, data types, and control structures.
  • Complete short coding exercises or practice problems to reinforce understanding.
Review CASL syntax and practice coding exercises
Reinforce understanding of CASL syntax and coding techniques through repetitive practice, improving accuracy and fluency in programming skills.
Browse courses on Coding Exercises
Show steps
  • Review CASL documentation or online tutorials to refresh syntax knowledge.
  • Find coding exercises or practice problems related to CASL programming.
  • Solve the problems and compare your solutions with provided answers or discussion forums.
Join a study group or participate in online discussions with fellow students
Encourage collaborative learning, knowledge sharing, and peer support, fostering a sense of community and improving comprehension through diverse perspectives.
Show steps
  • Form or join a study group with other students enrolled in the course.
  • Organize regular meetings or online discussions to review materials, discuss concepts, and work through problems together.
  • Share notes, resources, and insights to enhance collective understanding.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Attend an online community forum or user group session on CAS Programming
Facilitate interaction with other CASL users and experts, allowing students to share knowledge, ask questions, and expand their professional network.
Show steps
  • Identify relevant online forums or user groups dedicated to CAS Programming.
  • Attend scheduled virtual meetings or webinars hosted by these groups.
  • Participate in discussions, ask questions, and share experiences with other members.
Develop a sample CASL program to administer a simple case
Provide an opportunity for students to create a practical example of CASL programming, solidifying their understanding of the language and its capabilities in the SAS Viya environment.
Show steps
  • Create a new CASL program using SAS Studio or your preferred SAS development environment.
  • Establish a connection to the SAS Cloud Analytics Services (CAS) server.
  • Load sample data into a CAS table.
  • Write SAS Code to perform data exploration and analysis using CASL commands.
  • Generate reports and visualizations using SAS Output Delivery System (ODS) to present insights gained from data analysis.
Develop a data analysis and reporting project using CASL and SAS Viya
Provide a comprehensive and practical experience in applying CASL programming for data analysis and reporting, fostering problem-solving skills and showcasing proficiency in the technology.
Show steps
  • Define a specific data analysis problem or business question to be addressed.
  • Collect and prepare the necessary data for analysis.
  • Develop a CASL program to perform data exploration, analysis, and reporting.
  • Produce insightful reports and visualizations to communicate findings.
  • Present the project to simulate a real-world data analysis scenario.
Develop a personal data analysis project using CASL and SAS Viya
Stimulate curiosity, encourage creativity, and allow students to apply their skills to real-world problems, fostering a deeper understanding of CASL programming and its practical applications.
Show steps
  • Identify a topic or problem of interest that can be addressed through data analysis.
  • Gather and prepare a dataset relevant to the problem.
  • Design and implement a CASL program to perform data exploration, analysis, and reporting.
  • Present findings and insights based on the analysis.
  • Optionally share the project with others for feedback and discussion.

Career center

Learners who complete CASL Programming for Distributed Computing in SAS® Viya® will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Data Scientist
A Data Scientist uses computational techniques and knowledge of statistical methodologies to solve complex problems. The CASL Programming for Distributed Computing in SAS Viya course introduces learners to CASL, the native programming language for SAS Cloud Analytics Services. CAS is a high-performance, in-memory analytics, and distributed computing engine. Learning CASL can help a Data Scientist improve their ability to analyze large data sets and build predictive models.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist
Data Engineer
A Data Engineer designs, builds, and maintains data pipelines. The CASL Programming for Distributed Computing in SAS Viya course can help a Data Engineer become more efficient by teaching them how to use CASL to access, explore, prepare, and analyze data in the CAS server's massively parallel processing environment. This course can help improve a Data Engineer's data handling and data integration skills, which are essential to success in this career.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer
Data Analyst
A Data Analyst analyzes data to help organizations make better decisions. The CASL Programming for Distributed Computing in SAS Viya course can help a Data Analyst become more effective by teaching them how to use CASL to explore, prepare, and analyze large data sets. This course can provide a foundation for a Data Analyst in the tools and techniques they need to succeed in increasingly data-driven industries.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst
Statistician
A Statistician uses statistical methods to analyze data and provide insights. The CASL Programming for Distributed Computing in SAS Viya course can be useful for a Statistician who is looking to work with large datasets. This course introduces learners to CASL, which can be used to perform statistical analyses in a massively parallel processing environment.
See salaries and explore the career path for Statistician
Machine Learning Engineer
A Machine Learning Engineer develops and deploys machine learning models. The CASL Programming for Distributed Computing in SAS Viya course can be helpful for a Machine Learning Engineer by teaching them how to use CASL to prepare and analyze large data sets. This course can help a Machine Learning Engineer build a foundation in the tools and techniques they need to succeed in this field.
See salaries and explore the career path for Machine Learning Engineer
Business Analyst
A Business Analyst uses data to identify problems and opportunities for improvement within an organization. The CASL Programming for Distributed Computing in SAS Viya course may be useful for a Business Analyst by teaching them how to prepare and analyze large data sets. This course can help provide a foundation in the tools and techniques they need to succeed in increasingly data-driven organizations.
See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst
Financial Analyst
A Financial Analyst uses financial data to make investment recommendations. The CASL Programming for Distributed Computing in SAS Viya course may be useful for a Financial Analyst by teaching them how to prepare and analyze large financial data sets. This course can provide a foundation in the tools and techniques they need to succeed.
See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst
Quantitative Analyst
A Quantitative Analyst uses mathematical and statistical models to analyze financial data. The CASL Programming for Distributed Computing in SAS Viya course may be useful for a Quantitative Analyst by teaching them how to prepare and analyze large financial data sets. This course can provide a foundation in the tools and techniques they need to succeed.
See salaries and explore the career path for Quantitative Analyst
Actuary
An Actuary uses statistical and mathematical models to assess risk. The CASL Programming for Distributed Computing in SAS Viya course may be useful for an Actuary by teaching them how to prepare and analyze large data sets. This course can provide a foundation in the tools and techniques they need to succeed.
See salaries and explore the career path for Actuary
Operations Research Analyst
An Operations Research Analyst uses mathematical and statistical models to solve problems in business and industry. The CASL Programming for Distributed Computing in SAS Viya course may be useful for an Operations Research Analyst by teaching them how to prepare and analyze large data sets. This course can provide a foundation in the tools and techniques they need to succeed.
See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Research Analyst
Software Engineer
A Software Engineer designs, develops, and maintains software applications. The CASL Programming for Distributed Computing in SAS Viya course may be useful for a Software Engineer by teaching them how to use CASL to develop high-performance, scalable applications. This course can provide a foundation in the tools and techniques they need to succeed.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer
Database Administrator
A Database Administrator manages and maintains databases. The CASL Programming for Distributed Computing in SAS Viya course may be useful for a Database Administrator by teaching them how to use CASL to access, explore, and analyze data in a massively parallel processing environment.
See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator
Data Architect
A Data Architect designs and builds data systems. The CASL Programming for Distributed Computing in SAS Viya course may be useful for a Data Architect by teaching them how to use CASL to design and build high-performance, scalable data systems. This course can provide a foundation in the tools and techniques they need to succeed.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Architect
Big Data Engineer
A Big Data Engineer designs and builds systems for processing and analyzing large data sets. The CASL Programming for Distributed Computing in SAS Viya course may be useful for a Big Data Engineer by teaching them how to use CASL to develop high-performance, scalable data pipelines. This course can provide a foundation in the tools and techniques they need to succeed in this rapidly growing field.
See salaries and explore the career path for Big Data Engineer
Data Science Manager
A Data Science Manager leads and manages a team of data scientists. The CASL Programming for Distributed Computing in SAS Viya course may be useful for a Data Science Manager by teaching them how to use CASL to develop and implement data science solutions. This course can provide a foundation in the tools and techniques they need to succeed in this rapidly growing field.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Science Manager

Reading list

We've selected eight books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in CASL Programming for Distributed Computing in SAS® Viya®.
Cover image
SAS Visual Analytics for SAS Viya
Save
This comprehensive guide from SAS provides a detailed overview of programming in CAS, including data exploration, preparation, manipulation, and analysis. It is an essential resource for those looking to master SAS Viya's advanced programming capabilities.
SAS® Visual Analytics for SAS® Viya®
Paperback
$$$
SAS Visual Analytics for SAS Viya
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
Machine Learning with SAS Viya
Save
This manual explores advanced techniques for optimizing code performance in SAS Viya, leveraging parallel processing and distributed computing. It helps learners understand how to efficiently manage memory and resources, and provides practical examples of performance-enhancing methods.
Machine Learning with SAS Viya
Hardcover
$$
Cover image
Principles and Practice of Structural Equation...
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of SAS for data science, including data management, data analysis, and data visualization. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about data science or use SAS to perform data science tasks.
Principles and Practice of Structural Equation...
Paperback
$$$
Principles and Practice of Structural Equation...
Paperback
$$$
Principles and Practice of Structural Equation...
Paperback
$$
Principles and Practice of Structural Equation...
Paperback
$$
Principles and Practice of Structural Equation...
Paperback
$$
Principles and Practice of Structural Equation...
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
Exercises and Projects for The Little SAS Book,...
Save
Provides a concise overview of SAS programming, including data manipulation, data analysis, and data visualization. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about SAS programming or use SAS to perform data analysis tasks.
Exercises and Projects for The Little SAS Book,...
Paperback
$$
Exercises and Projects for The Little SAS Book,...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Machine Learning with Python Cookbook
Save
While focused on Python, this book offers a recipe-based approach to machine learning concepts and algorithms. It provides practical examples and step-by-step instructions, making it a useful resource for those seeking to expand their knowledge in machine learning.
Machine Learning with Python Cookbook: Practical...
Paperback
$$
Machine Learning with Python Cookbook
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Deep Learning with Python, Second Edition
Save
Introduces deep learning concepts and techniques using Python and the Keras library. While not directly related to CASL, it provides a solid foundation for those interested in exploring deep learning models.
Deep Learning with Python, Second Edition
Paperback
$$
Deep Learning with Python, Second Edition
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Data Science from Scratch
Save
Offers a comprehensive introduction to data science fundamentals, covering data cleaning, exploration, analysis, and visualization. While it uses Python, the concepts and principles discussed are applicable to other programming languages.
Data Science from Scratch: First Principles with...
Paperback
$$
Data Science from Scratch: First Principles with...
Kindle Edition
$$
Data Science from Scratch: First Principles with...
Paperback
$$
Cover image
SAS Data Integration Studio 3.3
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of SAS Studio, including data manipulation, data analysis, and data visualization. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about SAS Studio or use SAS to perform data analysis tasks.
SAS Data Integration Studio 3.3
Paperback
Check
SAS Data Integration Studio 3.3
Kindle Edition
Check

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Course image
Level
Advanced
Via
Coursera
Institution
SAS
Instructors
Peter Styliadis
Stacey Syphus
Language
English
This course belongs to a collection called Distributed Programming in SAS® Viya® for Data Analysts. It's comprised of three courses:
  1. SAS® Programming for Distributed Computing in SAS® Viya®
  2. CASL Programming for Distributed Computing in SAS® Viya® (viewing)
  3. Preparing for the SAS® Viya® Programming Certification Exam
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores CAS Programming, which is standard in distributed computing industry
Teaches use of CASL, which helps learners leverage SAS Cloud Analytics Services (CAS)
Develops fundamental computer programming concepts and the data analytics lifecycle, which are core skills for data analytics
Taught by Stacey Syphus and Peter Styliadis, who are recognized for their work in SAS Cloud Analytics Services (CAS)
Examines CAS Programming, which is highly relevant to distributed computing
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