SAS Enterprise Guide...• Parsing Up the Mega-Program ... the architecture is necessarily different resulting in some changes in ... DM functionality is available in EG through a

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SAS® Enterprise GuideTM:Tips, Tricks, & Considerations for the SAS Programmer

T WinandSolution ArchitectSAS Customer Success Team


Tips, Tricks, & Considerations for the SAS ProgrammerWhy this presentation?

• Many users stick with what they know • They don’t have time to explore• We (SAS) don’t always advertise all of the enhancements or features

Also…• Much of the information on Enterprise Guide™ is not directly relevant for the SAS

Programmer


Tips, Tricks, & Considerations for the SAS Programmer

SAS® Enterprise Guide is much more than a point-and-click interface to SAS. This session looks at both new and existing functionality to help both novice as well as the long time programmers.


SAS® Enterprise Guide™The Swiss Army Knife of SAS

• Offers visualization of what you are doing

• Data access and manipulation

• Analysis

• Descriptive statistics

• Advanced analytics

• Forecasting

• Reporting

• Ad-hoc

• Run programs with updated information

• Stored Processes

• Development environment

• Tasks

• Coding

• Stored process authoring


Tips, Tricks, & Considerations for the SAS ProgrammerTopics

• Overview Considerations – Gains & Losses

• A Different Paradigm – Projects, Process Flows & Programs *

• The Basics

• Error Handling

• SAS Libraries

• Auto Complete & Syntax Help

• Enhanced Editor Options

• Window Navigation

• SAS Logging

• The Project Log

• Changing Default Behaviors


Tips, Tricks, & Considerations for the SAS ProgrammerTopics

• Taking Advantage of a Paradigm Shift (part 1)

• Parsing Up the Mega-Program

• Creating An Ordered List

• Linking

• Taking Advantage of a Paradigm Shift (part 2)

• Using a Task to Write Code

• Using Code to Expand a Task

• Using Tasks to Inspect Your Data

• Other Tips & Tricks

• Exporting, Scheduling, & Sharing

• Formatting Code

• Using the Data Step Debugger & Other Development Tools

• Common User Feedback


Overview ConsiderationsGains & Losses


Tips, Tricks, & Considerations for the SAS ProgrammerAn Important Note

• Many aspects of programming in Enterprise Guide (EG) are the same as programming in Display Manager(what may be referred to as “PC SAS”)

• But… the architecture is necessarily different resulting in some changes in how the programmer interacts with EG versus Display Manager (DM)

• In a handful of cases, certain DM functionality is not available in EG.

• In the many cases, DM functionality is available in EG through a different means.

• Many features of Enterprise Guide provide enhancements over programming in the DM.

Create a Stored Process from Code with a Prompted Filter


Tips, Tricks, & Considerations for the SAS ProgrammerWhat is Lost & What is Gained

• What You Lose- Very Quick Program-Submit-Debug Cycles

- Some Features – like interactive logging

• What You Gain- Better organization of data and the programs In Project Explorer and Workspace

- Same Enhanced Editor

- Shared Programs (+ debugger…)

- Run and modify/re-run tasks quickly (e.g. Query Builder, Charting, Descriptive Statistics

- Use tasks as Code Generators

- No need to deal with ODS Output



Tips, Tricks, & Considerations for the SAS ProgrammerProjects, Process Flow, & Programs

• Open Enterprise Guide

• Create a New Project or Open an Existing Project

• Create a New Process Flow

• Create New Program (Embedded) or open an Existing Program



The BasicsError Handling, SAS Libraries, Editor Options & Windows


The BasicsProgramming Errors

• Programming Errors

• What happens

• Debugging help



The Basics

• Libname in program

• Assign Project Library Task

• Autoexec Process FlowCre

SAS Libraries


The BasicsSAS Libraries

• Libname in program

• Assign Project Library Task

• Autoexec Process Flow

• Tools>Options>SAS Programs

• Libraries can be set up by your SAS Administrator



Auto-Complete & Syntax AssistanceThe Basics


How to TuneThe Basics


Enhanced Editor Options

The Basics

Program > Editor Options


Enhanced Editor Keys

The Basics

Program > Enhanced Editor Keys


Moving Between & Around WindowsThe Basics

• Tabs• Program > Split



The BasicsAnother Option – Maximize Workspace


Another Option – Split WorkspaceThe Basics


SAS LoggingChallenges & Options


Challenges & TipsSAS Logging

Challenge for PC SAS Programmers

• In EG, when we submit a program or selection, the log is created

• When we submit the program or selected code again, the log is overwritten with a new log

Tips & Tricks that Might Help

• Use the Project log – it keeps a rolling log for the project until it is cleared

• Maximize Workspace and change the Workspace Layout to Stacked or Side by Side

• Change the default behavior upon program execution


SAS LoggingProject Log


SAS LoggingChange Default Behaviors

Go to Tools > Options to change default behavior of windows on program execution


Projects & Process FlowsUtilizing a Paradigm Shift (part 1)


Utilizing a Paradigm Shift


• Instead of one “mega-program”, break it up into a process flow

• With manageable program blocks

• Each with its own log & results

• Rename Code Nodes to enhance

“Mega-Program” versus Process Flow


Utilizing a Paradigm Shift“Mega-Program” versus Process Flow


• Instead of one “mega-program”, break it up into a process flow

• With manageable program blocks

• Each with its own log & results


Utilizing a Paradigm ShiftOrdering Program Execution

Order in Which Programs Execute

• Left to Right

• Top to Bottom

• As directed through the Ordered List Capability


Utilizing a Paradigm ShiftCreating & Running An Ordered List


Utilizing a Paradigm ShiftLinking Data to Program


Projects & Process FlowsUtilizing a Paradigm Shift (part 2)


Utilizing a Paradigm ShiftUsing a Task to Write Code – Query Example


Utilizing a Paradigm ShiftUsing a Task to Write Code – Charting Example


Utilizing a Paradigm ShiftUsing a Task to Write Code


Using Code to Expand a Task

EXPLODE = “USA”;

Utilizing a Paradigm Shift


Using Tasks to Inspect Your DataUtilizing a Paradigm Shift


Utilizing a Paradigm ShiftUsing Descriptive Statistics Tasks


Utilizing a Paradigm ShiftUsing Graph Tasks


Other Tips & TricksAnd Tools That Might Help


Other Tips & TricksExporting Process Flow or Project Code


Other Tips & TricksScheduling


Other Tips & TricksSharing Your Projects

You can share your projects with others by using relative pathnames:

File > Project Properties


Other Tips & TricksFormatting Code

You may have inherited a program that looks like this…


Other Tips & TricksFormatting Code

Right click on the Workspace & Select Format Code

And Your Code is Formatted


Using The Data Step DebuggerOther Tips & Tricks


Other Tips & TricksUsing the Debugger


Other Tips & TricksOther Developer Tools


Prompts & Stored ProcessesSomething to Consider


Prompts & Stored ProcessesA Quick View


Prompts & Stored ProcessesHow to Create


Prompts & Stored ProcessesRunning & Results


Prompts & Stored ProcessesRunning as an Excel Report


Common User Feedback


User FeedbackLogging

Log does not automatically append after each code submission, it clears

Oftentimes, I like to submit my SAS code in pieces as opposed to running the entire code at once; however, I’d still like for the log to accumulate instead of overwriting with each new submitted statement.

I would like to clear my SAS log and output window, occasionally, at my discretion.

Response : • One current approach uses the Project Log• Another current approach is to break up your large program into smaller programming

steps in a process flow. Each step has its own log and results.• EG 8.1 will offer improvements here.


User Feedback# of Observations

Hard to see the number of observations in SAS datasets.

Two Options


User FeedbackProjects & Process Flows

TS Response : • This is the current paradigm of SAS Enterprise Guide.• EG 8.1 will have an option that gives a better PC SAS look and feel with program

window, log, and results all opened at once and un-docked if needed to move to whatever position you like.

The project flow perspective is not something I am interested in at all, yet it seems to be the main focus of the interface. For example, when I open up EG, instead of bringing me to a new SAS program window, it brings me to the Process Flow grid. Is there anything we can do to suppress project flow features?


User FeedbackChanging Default Behaviors on Submission

Response : • This can be done by clicking Tools > Options > Results General & unclick “Automatically

open data or results when generated” and also set the “Maximum number of output data sets to add to the project” to 0. (Supplied By User; confirmed by TS)

• There are options for each user to set up his/her EG environment to his/her liking. I am not sure I would set “Maximum number of output data sets to add to the project” to 0. Try different options and see which is better for you.

I do not want EG to open every SAS dataset that gets created in my code, but I do want to be able to open manually and explore any SAS dataset that I wish to browse.


User FeedbackViewing Multiple Datasets

Response : • For current EG, you can use View > Workspace Layout > Side by Side, then, select the

"star" to "activate" the panel you want to open the data into.....not clean but it works.• EG 8.1 will have a much better interface for viewing multiple objects at once.

Sometimes I like to browse and have open multiple SAS datasets and look at

them side-by-side. By default, EG only allows you to open/view one SAS dataset

at a time.


User FeedbackKeyboard Shortcuts

I can’t find any keyboard shortcuts to toggle between open SAS programs in my session.

Response : • For programmers, I would simply open multiple EG sessions.• EG 8.1 will make it simple to open multiple SAS program windows in a single EG

project.


User FeedbackImporting Excel Files

Response : • Tools > Options > Data > General• Change Valid variable names under “Naming Options” from “Extended variable

names (ANY)” to “Basic variable names (V7)” regardless if they use the Import Data task or code.

When importing datasets (such as from Excel) which use a header row for field names, sometimes the header rows are not compliant with SAS variable names (i.e. starting with a number, having spaces in its name, etc.). EG, by default, allows these field names to be non-SAS compliant which is problematic.


User FeedbackXcmd

Response : • This option is available in SAS Enterprise Guide.• By default it is turned off at the Administration Level, but the SAS Administrator can

switch this option on.• Then you can run x commands from your SAS program in EG

I cannot run Xcmd (x command) in EG like I was able to do in PC SAS


User FeedbackSupport for DDE

Response : • Can run as long as SAS software and DDE “partner” run on same Windows PC• This does not work in a centralized SAS Environment• BLOG: Why your DDE programs don’t work anymore

Support for DDE (Microsoft Dynamic Data Exchange)

https://blogs.sas.com/content/sasdummy/2014/10/14/dde-is-doa/


User Feedback Other

Accessing Data that is not on the SAS Server?

Response• i.e. how to access data from a network share. So our path

to out network share is \\sashq\root\....


User Feedback Other

Is there a way to make the project log be the default log?

Response• The answer is no – not at this time


Closing InformationWhat’s Coming, Documentation, Papers & more…


Tips, Tricks, & Considerations for the SAS ProgrammerWhat’s Coming

Preview of What’s Coming in SAS Enterprise Guide and SAS Studio

https://communities.sas.com/t5/SAS-Communities-Library/The-Future-of-SAS-Enterprise-Guide-and-SAS-Studio-a-SAS-Global/ta-p/457437?nobounce&attachment-id=14208


Tips, Tricks, & Considerations for the SAS ProgrammerDocumentation

http://support.sas.com/software/products/enterprise-guide/index.html#s1=3

http://support.sas.com/software/products/enterprise-guide/index.html#s1=3


Tips, Tricks, & Considerations for the SAS ProgrammerSAS Papers on Programming in SAS Enterprise Guide

• Becoming a Better Programmer with SAS® Enterprise Guide® 4.3

• 184-2008: Writing Code in SAS® Enterprise Guide®

• 019-30: Boost Your Programming Productivity with SAS® Enterprise ...

• Enterprise Guide®: Tips for Programmers

• 137-2010: SAS® Programmer's Paradise: New Goodies in SAS ...

• Becoming a Better Programmer with SAS® Enterprise Guide® 4.3

• 138-2013: SAS® Enterprise Guide® 5.1: A Powerful Environment for ...

• Programming with SAS® Enterprise Guide

• A SAS Programmer's Guide to the SAS Enterprise Guide

• 137-2010: SAS® Programmer's Paradise: New Goodies in SAS ...

https://www.google.com/url?q=http://support.sas.com/resources/papers/proceedings11/307-2011.pdf&sa=U&ved=0ahUKEwi9u9vpsIPcAhUD3FMKHbxeBN0QFggGMAE&client=internal-uds-cse&cx=011240857950991443104:hsqcj3nokh0&usg=AOvVaw2319HANca0OXddUlKo7p8f

https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www2.sas.com/proceedings/forum2008/184-2008.pdf&sa=U&ved=0ahUKEwi9u9vpsIPcAhUD3FMKHbxeBN0QFggEMAA&client=internal-uds-cse&cx=011240857950991443104:hsqcj3nokh0&usg=AOvVaw2gLwBqwJ75CEeT0hQP2XVH

https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www2.sas.com/proceedings/sugi30/019-30.pdf&sa=U&ved=0ahUKEwi9u9vpsIPcAhUD3FMKHbxeBN0QFggSMAc&client=internal-uds-cse&cx=011240857950991443104:hsqcj3nokh0&usg=AOvVaw3fomuVQQCAnKLSb8s_Nc25

https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.lexjansen.com/nesug/nesug09/ff/FF05.pdf&sa=U&ved=0ahUKEwi9u9vpsIPcAhUD3FMKHbxeBN0QFggUMAg&client=internal-uds-cse&cx=011240857950991443104:hsqcj3nokh0&usg=AOvVaw3OWq4qXgcgYfA3lhWKw-XJ

https://www.google.com/url?q=http://support.sas.com/resources/papers/proceedings10/137-2010.pdf&sa=U&ved=0ahUKEwi9u9vpsIPcAhUD3FMKHbxeBN0QFggWMAk&client=internal-uds-cse&cx=011240857950991443104:hsqcj3nokh0&usg=AOvVaw1fbtWh4MU0Vfx-VM_fNsPe

https://www.google.com/url?q=http://support.sas.com/resources/papers/proceedings11/307-2011.pdf&sa=U&ved=0ahUKEwi9u9vpsIPcAhUD3FMKHbxeBN0QFggGMAE&client=internal-uds-cse&cx=011240857950991443104:hsqcj3nokh0&usg=AOvVaw2319HANca0OXddUlKo7p8f

https://www.google.com/url?q=https://support.sas.com/resources/papers/proceedings13/138-2013.pdf&sa=U&ved=0ahUKEwi9u9vpsIPcAhUD3FMKHbxeBN0QFggIMAI&client=internal-uds-cse&cx=011240857950991443104:hsqcj3nokh0&usg=AOvVaw3jkG30CspKv_O1FjUC0PYr

https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www2.sas.com/proceedings/sugi30/050-30.pdf&sa=U&ved=0ahUKEwi9u9vpsIPcAhUD3FMKHbxeBN0QFggKMAM&client=internal-uds-cse&cx=011240857950991443104:hsqcj3nokh0&usg=AOvVaw3CZTyCb7ggUwKB2-6ufoBq

https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.lexjansen.com/scsug/2010/Fecht_1/SCSUG_2010_Fecht_EG_HOW.pdf&sa=U&ved=0ahUKEwi9u9vpsIPcAhUD3FMKHbxeBN0QFggMMAQ&client=internal-uds-cse&cx=011240857950991443104:hsqcj3nokh0&usg=AOvVaw33oFftcve3a912_siTwrMk

https://www.google.com/url?q=http://support.sas.com/resources/papers/proceedings10/137-2010.pdf&sa=U&ved=0ahUKEwjfvrbwsoPcAhWDulMKHWLzDMM4ChAWCAcwAQ&client=internal-uds-cse&cx=011240857950991443104:hsqcj3nokh0&usg=AOvVaw08OSD5BfT3W77uFxJMqjoZ


Tips, Tricks, & Considerations for the SAS Programmer

• SAS Enterprise Guide Debugger:

• https://blogs.sas.com/content/sasdummy/2016/11/30/data-step-debugger-sas-eg/

• https://support.sas.com/resources/papers/proceedings17/SAS0447-2017.pdf

• https://video.sas.com/sasgf17/detail/videos/tech-talks/video/5383617444001/sas-tech-talk:-data-step-debugger-in-sas-enterprise-guide?autoStart=true&page=1

• Xcmd in SAS Enterprise Guide:

• https://blogs.sas.com/content/sasdummy/2012/08/31/the-case-for-xcmd-privileges-in-sas-enterprise-guide/

https://blogs.sas.com/content/sasdummy/2016/11/30/data-step-debugger-sas-eg/

https://support.sas.com/resources/papers/proceedings17/SAS0447-2017.pdf

https://video.sas.com/sasgf17/detail/videos/tech-talks/video/5383617444001/sas-tech-talk:-data-step-debugger-in-sas-enterprise-guide?autoStart=true&page=1

https://blogs.sas.com/content/sasdummy/2012/08/31/the-case-for-xcmd-privileges-in-sas-enterprise-guide/

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Thank you for your time and for using SAS!

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Documents

SAS Enterprise Guide...• Parsing Up the Mega-Program ... the architecture is necessarily different resulting in some changes in ... DM functionality is available in EG through a