CASL Programming for Distributed Computing in SAS® Viya® from Coursera

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.

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.

CAS Language (CASL) Fundamentals

In this module you will learn the fundamentals of SAS's new scripting language called the CAS language, or CASL for short. You will learn about how CASL is very different from the traditional SAS programming language. Then you will learn dive into detail about its four main components: variable data types, statements, functions, and CAS actions.

Connecting to CAS and Accessing Data

In this module you will learn to connect to the CAS server and access it's data. You will begin by making a connection to CAS and exploring the connection options. Then you will begin to learn more about Caslibs by exploring their attributes, data source files and in-memory tables and creating a user defined Caslib. Lastly you will learn about managing in-memory tables by loading, saving, promoting and deleting tables.

Exploring and Validating Data

In this module you will learn about exploring and validating data using a variety of CAS actions and CASL techniques. You will begin by exploring a CAS table's structure by viewing the column attributes, previewing the table rows, working with the results of an action and more. Then you will learn about charactering data by finding the distinct and missing values in each column. Lastly, you learn about validating data by removing duplicate rows and creating a new CAS table that identifies bad data.

Preparing Data

In this module you will learn about Preparing Data in CAS. You will begin by executing some common data manipulation using CAS actions techniques such as updating a table in place, creating a new table with computed columns, performing conditional processing, filtering rows and columns, converting column types, working with dates, imputing missing values, restructuring data, and even executing DATA step code in CAS. Lastly you will learn about how to execute fedSQL statements in the CAS server.

Analyzing and Summarizing Data

In this module you will learn about Analyzing and Summarizing Data in CAS. You will begin by understanding the benefits and considerations of using the CAS server with the compute server for your data processing needs. Then you will execute a variety of actions to obtain summary statistics, frequency and crosstabulation reports. Lastly you will learn about how to process the results of the CAS server by using the SAS Output Delivery System (ODS) on the smaller summarized results to create data visualizations, or output to an external file types like PowerPoint, Word, Excel and PDF.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, 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

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

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Ensure students have a solid foundation in basic programming concepts, which are essential for understanding and applying CASL programming.

Browse courses on Programming Concepts

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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

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Reinforce understanding of CASL syntax and coding techniques through repetitive practice, improving accuracy and fluency in programming skills.

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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

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Encourage collaborative learning, knowledge sharing, and peer support, fostering a sense of community and improving comprehension through diverse perspectives.

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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

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Attend an online community forum or user group session on CAS Programming

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Facilitate interaction with other CASL users and experts, allowing students to share knowledge, ask questions, and expand their professional network.

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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