In this chapter, we will learn and master basic SAS programming techniques. For the uninitiated of you, this chapter should be a stepping stone to SAS programming. For experienced SAS programmers, this chapter will help you revise some behind the scenes functionalities and tricks of SAS. In either case, this chapter will lay the foundation for how good an advanced SAS programmer you can be. As we progress through this chapter, we will cover the following topics:
- SAS dataset fundamentals
- SAS programming language—basic syntax
- SAS LOG
- Dataset options
- SAS operators
- Formats
- Subsetting datasets