• Online, Self-Paced
Course Description

SAS data sets are collections of data that SAS creates and can process, and understanding their structure and utility is key to grasping the power of Base SAS. This course covers the basics of data sets, and how to create them from various sources. This course is one of a series that prepares you for the SAS certification exam, SAS Certified Base Programmer for SAS 9.

Learning Objectives

SAS Data Sets

  • start the course
  • describe the components of a SAS data set
  • use the CONTENTS procedure to view a data set descriptor, and the PRINT procedure to display the data
  • describe SAS libraries, including temporary and permanent libraries
  • browse a SAS library using the SAS Explorer and the CONTENTS procedure
  • use the LIBNAME statement to assign a library reference name to a relational database in SAS
  • reference a relational database table using a SAS two-level name

Reading Data Sets

  • describe different scenarios for reading from a data source in SAS
  • use the DATA statement to begin a data step in SAS
  • use the SET statement to read observations from a SAS data set
  • use the WHERE statement with conditionals to subset an observation in SAS
  • use the DROP and KEEP statements to specify variables for omission or retention in a SAS data set
  • use the LABEL statement to add labels to the descriptor portion of a SAS data set
  • use the FORMAT statement to add formats to the descriptor portion of a SAS data set

Reading from Excel

  • create a data set from an Excel sheet using the PROC step in SAS
  • read from an Excel sheet using the libname statement
  • use the PROC step to create an Excel sheet in SAS
  • use the ODS to create an Excel sheet in SAS
  • use the IMPORT wizard to import data from an Excel sheet in SAS
  • use the EXPORT wizard to write to an Excel Sheet in SAS

Reading Text Files

  • create a data set from a delimited raw data file using the DATA step in SAS
  • use the LENGTH statement to define the length of a variable in SAS
  • read nonstandard data in SAS using informants
  • use additional SAS statements to process nonstandard data in the DATA step
  • read consecutive delimiters as missing values using the DSD option in SAS
  • recognize missing data at the end of a record with the MISSOVER option

Practice: Work with Data

  • read data from a variety of sources in SAS

Framework Connections

The materials within this course focus on the Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs) identified within the Specialty Areas listed below. Click to view Specialty Area details within the interactive National Cybersecurity Workforce Framework.