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Stacey Syphus

This course is for users who want to learn how to write SAS programs to access, explore, prepare, and analyze data. It is the entry point to learning SAS programming for data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. It is a prerequisite to many other SAS courses.

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This course is for users who want to learn how to write SAS programs to access, explore, prepare, and analyze data. It is the entry point to learning SAS programming for data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. It is a prerequisite to many other SAS courses.

By the end of this course, you will know how to use SAS Studio to write and submit SAS programs that access SAS, Microsoft Excel, and text data. You will know how to explore and validate data, prepare data by subsetting rows and computing new columns, analyze and report on data, export data and results to other formats, use SQL in SAS to query and join tables.

Prerequisites:

Learners should have experience using computer software. Specifically, you should be able to understand file structures and system commands on your operating systems and access data files on your operating systems. No prior SAS experience is needed.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview and Data Setup
In this module you learn about the course and you set up the data you need to do the practices in the course.
Essentials
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Covers the fundamentals of SAS programming for data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence
Introduces SAS Studio, a user-friendly interface for writing and submitting SAS programs
Provides hands-on practice through exercises and assignments
Covers a comprehensive range of topics, from data exploration and preparation to analysis and reporting
Facilitates data exploration and validation to gain insights into the data
Teaches data preparation techniques, such as subsetting, computing new columns, and conditional processing

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Reviews summary

Solid foundation in sas programming basics

According to learners, this course provides a solid and clear foundation in SAS programming. Students frequently praise the step-by-step explanations and hands-on practice exercises using SAS Studio. It is widely considered excellent for absolute beginners with no prior SAS experience, covering essential concepts like accessing, exploring, and preparing data effectively. While some learners mention that setting up the SAS environment can present initial challenges, and the pace is geared towards beginners, the course is generally seen as a comprehensive introduction that prepares them well for further study or practical application of SAS for data handling and reporting. Reviewers consistently highlight its value as a first step into the world of SAS.
Moves at a manageable speed for new learners.
"The pace of the course is just right for someone completely new to programming and SAS."
"It moves slowly enough that I didn't feel rushed, allowing me to absorb the material."
"Experienced programmers might find the pace a bit slow, but for a beginner, it's perfect."
"The step-by-step approach ensures you don't get lost, even if you're new to coding."
Focuses on fundamental SAS programming tasks.
"The course does a great job covering the essential procedures needed for basic data handling, like PROC PRINT, PROC FREQ, PROC MEANS."
"I learned the fundamental DATA step and PROC step concepts that are crucial for any SAS work."
"Covers accessing different data types, exploring data, and basic reporting very effectively."
"Solid overview of reading data, manipulating it, and producing simple reports."
Exercises solidify understanding of the material.
"The hands-on exercises were invaluable for practicing the syntax and procedures taught in the lectures."
"Doing the practices in SAS Studio right after the lessons helped reinforce what I learned."
"I found the labs and coding exercises to be the most beneficial part of the course for building practical skills."
"Plenty of opportunities to code along and practice with real data."
Concepts are explained simply and effectively.
"The instructor explains the concepts very clearly and makes complex topics easy to grasp."
"I really appreciated how well the material was broken down module by module. Everything was explained thoroughly."
"The lectures were concise and easy to understand, which helped me pick up the syntax quickly."
"Explanations are top-notch, allowing me to understand the 'why' behind the code."
Provides a strong starting point for newcomers.
"This course is excellent for beginners. I had no previous experience and now I feel comfortable writing basic SAS programs."
"Perfect for someone just starting out with SAS. The explanations are clear and easy to follow."
"I had zero SAS knowledge coming in, and this course made it very approachable and understandable."
"If you are new to SAS, this course is exactly what you need to get started."
Setting up the environment can be difficult.
"I struggled quite a bit with setting up SAS OnDemand, which took away some time from the course content itself."
"Getting the software installed and configured correctly was the hardest part for me."
"The initial setup instructions could be clearer or provide more troubleshooting tips for common issues."
"Encountered some technical glitches during the SAS Studio setup process."

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 Getting Started with SAS Programming with these activities:
Review Concepts of Statistics
Brush up on statistical concepts to strengthen your foundation and prepare for advanced topics.
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Show steps
  • Read introductory materials on statistics.
  • Revisit textbooks or notes from previous statistics courses.
  • Practice solving basic statistical problems.
Join a SAS Study Group
Engage in peer learning and discussions to clarify concepts, share knowledge, and support each other's progress.
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  • Find or create a study group with fellow SAS learners.
  • Meet regularly to discuss course material, solve problems together, and share resources.
  • Provide feedback and support to group members to enhance collective understanding.
Complete SAS Tutorials
Strengthen your practical skills by working through guided tutorials that cover SAS programming basics.
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  • Find reputable SAS tutorials online or through platforms like Coursera.
  • Follow the tutorials step-by-step, practicing the techniques introduced.
  • Experiment with the SAS code and try variations to deepen your understanding.
Five other activities
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Show all eight activities
Solve SAS Coding Challenges
Test your SAS skills and identify areas for improvement by tackling coding challenges.
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  • Find online resources or platforms that provide SAS coding challenges.
  • Attempt to solve the challenges, focusing on implementing efficient and accurate code.
  • Review solutions and compare your approach to identify areas for improvement.
Mentor Beginner SAS Learners
Enhance your understanding by sharing your knowledge and guiding beginner SAS learners.
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  • Connect with beginner SAS learners through online forums or study groups.
  • Provide guidance on SAS concepts, syntax, and best practices.
  • Review their code and offer suggestions for improvement.
  • Encourage their progress and help them overcome challenges.
Participate in SAS Hackathons
Challenge yourself and test your SAS skills against other participants by joining SAS hackathons.
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Show steps
  • Find and register for SAS hackathons that align with your interests and skill level.
  • Team up with other SAS enthusiasts or participate individually.
  • Solve complex SAS challenges within a time-bound setting.
  • Receive feedback from industry experts and hone your problem-solving abilities.
Build a SAS Project Portfolio
Demonstrate your proficiency by creating a portfolio of SAS projects that showcase your skills and capabilities.
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  • Identify a problem or dataset that you can analyze using SAS.
  • Develop a plan for your project, including data preparation, analysis, and reporting.
  • Write SAS code to implement your plan and generate meaningful insights.
  • Create a professional presentation or report to showcase your findings.
Contribute to Open-Source SAS Projects
Gain practical experience and contribute to the SAS community by participating in open-source projects.
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  • Identify open-source SAS projects that align with your interests and skills.
  • Reach out to project maintainers and express your interest in contributing.
  • Review project documentation and contribute code, bug fixes, or enhancements.
  • Participate in project discussions and help support the community.

Career center

Learners who complete Getting Started with SAS Programming will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Data Analyst
Data Analysts use their knowledge of data, programming, and statistics to transform raw data into actionable insights. They work with various data sources, including structured and unstructured data, to identify trends, patterns, and anomalies. By taking the Getting Started with SAS Programming course, you will gain the essential skills in data access, exploration, and analysis, which are highly sought after by employers in this field. The course will provide you with a solid foundation in SAS, a powerful programming language widely used in data analysis, enabling you to efficiently manipulate and analyze large datasets.
Data Scientist
Data Scientists are responsible for developing and implementing data-driven solutions to solve business problems. They use their expertise in statistics, machine learning, and programming to extract insights from large and complex datasets. The Getting Started with SAS Programming course provides a strong foundation for aspiring Data Scientists by introducing them to the fundamentals of data programming, data exploration, and data analysis using SAS. The course covers essential concepts such as data import, data cleaning, data manipulation, and data visualization, which are crucial for success in this role.
Statistician
Statisticians use their knowledge of statistics and data analysis to collect, interpret, and present data to help organizations make informed decisions. They work in various industries, including healthcare, finance, and research. The Getting Started with SAS Programming course provides a valuable introduction to the SAS programming language, which is widely used by Statisticians for data management, analysis, and reporting. By taking this course, you will gain practical experience in data exploration, data manipulation, and statistical analysis, enhancing your skills and making you a more competitive candidate in this field.
Business Analyst
Business Analysts use data to identify and solve business problems. They work closely with stakeholders to understand their needs and develop data-driven solutions. The Getting Started with SAS Programming course can be beneficial for Business Analysts as it provides a foundation in data programming, data analysis, and data visualization. By learning SAS, you will be able to effectively analyze data, identify trends, and communicate insights to stakeholders, enhancing your ability to contribute to data-driven decision-making.
Market Researcher
Market Researchers collect, analyze, and interpret data to understand market trends and consumer behavior. They use this information to help businesses make informed decisions about product development, marketing strategies, and target audience. The Getting Started with SAS Programming course can be useful for Market Researchers as it provides an introduction to data programming, data analysis, and data visualization. By learning SAS, you will be able to efficiently analyze market data, identify trends, and generate insights that can inform marketing campaigns and business decisions.
Financial Analyst
Financial Analysts use financial data to evaluate and make investment recommendations. They work with companies, individuals, and institutions to provide insights into financial markets and investment opportunities. The Getting Started with SAS Programming course may be helpful for Financial Analysts as it provides an introduction to data programming and data analysis using SAS. By learning SAS, you will be able to analyze financial data, identify trends, and develop financial models, enhancing your ability to make informed investment decisions.
Operations Research Analyst
Operations Research Analysts use mathematical and analytical techniques to solve complex problems in business and industry. They work with organizations to improve efficiency, productivity, and decision-making. The Getting Started with SAS Programming course can be beneficial for Operations Research Analysts as it provides a foundation in data programming and data analysis. By learning SAS, you will be able to analyze data, develop models, and optimize processes, enhancing your ability to identify and solve operational challenges.
Software Engineer
Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software systems. They work in various industries, including technology, healthcare, and finance. The Getting Started with SAS Programming course may be useful for Software Engineers who want to expand their skills in data programming and analysis. By learning SAS, you will be able to develop and implement data-driven solutions, enhancing your ability to contribute to the development of software products and applications.
Database Administrator
Database Administrators manage and maintain databases to ensure data integrity and availability. They work with organizations to implement and optimize database systems. The Getting Started with SAS Programming course may be helpful for Database Administrators who want to gain experience in data programming and analysis using SAS. By learning SAS, you will be able to access, manipulate, and analyze data in databases, enhancing your ability to manage and maintain database systems effectively.
Data Engineer
Data Engineers design and build data pipelines to move and transform data between different systems. They work with organizations to ensure that data is available, reliable, and secure. The Getting Started with SAS Programming course may be useful for Data Engineers who want to gain experience in data programming and analysis using SAS. By learning SAS, you will be able to develop and implement data pipelines, enhancing your ability to manage and process large volumes of data efficiently.
Web Developer
Web Developers design and develop websites and web applications. They work with organizations to create user-friendly and interactive online experiences. The Getting Started with SAS Programming course may be useful for Web Developers who want to gain experience in data programming and analysis using SAS. By learning SAS, you will be able to integrate data into web applications, enhancing the functionality and user experience of your web development projects.
IT Consultant
IT Consultants provide guidance and support to organizations on their technology needs. They work with clients to assess, design, and implement technology solutions. The Getting Started with SAS Programming course may be useful for IT Consultants who want to gain experience in data programming and analysis using SAS. By learning SAS, you will be able to provide data-driven insights to clients, enhancing your ability to develop and implement effective technology solutions.
Project Manager
Project Managers plan, execute, and deliver projects within an organization. They work with teams to ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. The Getting Started with SAS Programming course may be useful for Project Managers who want to gain experience in data programming and analysis using SAS. By learning SAS, you will be able to analyze project data, track progress, and identify potential risks, enhancing your ability to manage and deliver projects successfully.

Reading list

We've selected ten 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 Getting Started with SAS Programming.
Provides an extensive overview of SAS programming, covering data manipulation, analysis, and visualization techniques. It also includes helpful examples and exercises to enhance understanding.
This indispensable reference provides detailed documentation on the SAS procedures used for data manipulation, analysis, and reporting.
This official reference guide provides comprehensive information on SAS SQL, including syntax, functions, and examples.
This comprehensive guide explores various techniques for integrating data from multiple sources using SAS.
This beginner-friendly book introduces the basics of SAS programming, making it a great starting point for those new to the language.
Focuses on data mining techniques using SAS Enterprise Miner, offering valuable insights for those interested in applying machine learning algorithms to real-world data.
This beginner-friendly book offers a step-by-step introduction to SAS programming, making it accessible to those with no prior programming experience.
While not specific to SAS programming, this book provides valuable insights into the ethical and practical aspects of data science, complementing the technical skills covered in the course.
Offers an introduction to Python programming for data analysis, providing a valuable foundation for those interested in exploring alternative programming languages in data science.

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