Getting Started with SAS Programming

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/sas-programming-basics

Introduction

## Course Review: Getting Started with SAS Programming ### Overview "Getting Started with SAS Programming" is an essential course offered on Coursera for anyone interested in harnessing the power of SAS (Statistical Analysis System) for data analysis, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. As a foundational course, it serves as a prerequisite for many advanced SAS courses, making it a vital stepping stone for aspiring data scientists and analysts. Throughout the course, learners are introduced to the intricacies of SAS programming, particularly how to write and submit SAS programs using SAS Studio. By the end of the course, participants are equipped with the skills to access various data sources, explore and validate data, and prepare it for thorough analysis. ### Syllabus Breakdown The course is well-structured, comprising several modules that systematically build upon one another: 1. **Course Overview and Data Setup**: - This initial module sets the stage for the course, familiarizing learners with its objectives and the necessary data setup for hands-on practice. 2. **Essentials**: - Here, participants learn the foundational aspects of SAS programming, including program structure and syntax, essential for writing effective and efficient SAS code. 3. **Accessing Data**: - This module focuses on identifying SAS table features, accessing data through SAS libraries, and importing different data formats into SAS, which is crucial for anyone working with varied data sources. 4. **Exploring and Validating Data**: - Learners gain insights into their data through SAS procedures, learning to subset, format, and sort data to identify duplicates, which is a critical step in data preparation and validation. 5. **Preparing Data**: - This segment teaches common data manipulations, such as filtering and computing new columns, empowering learners to shape the data according to their analysis needs. 6. **Analyzing and Reporting on Data**: - In this module, participants learn to summarize data effectively using SAS procedures and enhance reports with titles, labels, and footnotes, making the results more accessible and meaningful. 7. **Exporting Results**: - This module covers how to export results to popular formats like Excel, Word, and PDF, allowing learners to present their findings clearly and professionally. 8. **Using SQL in SAS**: - Finally, learners are introduced to the SQL procedure within SAS, equipping them with skills to read, filter, create, and join tables, an invaluable skill in any data-centric role. ### Review The course excels in providing a comprehensive introduction to SAS programming. The structure is logical and user-friendly, allowing learners to progressively build their skills. The hands-on approach ensures that participants can immediately apply their learning in practical exercises, which is invaluable for cementing knowledge. The instructor does an admirable job of breaking down complex concepts and makes use of practical examples to illustrate how SAS handles data operations. The access to SAS Studio provides an authentic experience akin to real-world applications, which is often lacking in other online courses. One of the standout features of this course is its emphasis on reporting and exporting results. In the field of data analysis, communication is key, and the tools provided in this module enhance learners’ ability to share insights effectively. ### Recommendation I highly recommend "Getting Started with SAS Programming" for anyone looking to establish a strong foundation in SAS programming. Whether you're a beginner in data analytics or someone transitioning from another programming environment, this course will equip you with essential SAS skills that are applicable in various data science domains. Additionally, as it is a prerequisite for advanced SAS courses, enrolling in this course can significantly enhance your educational and career trajectory in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. Overall, this course is a fantastic investment in your professional development, opening doors to many opportunities in the ever-evolving field of data science.

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.

In this module you learn how to use SAS programming tools and the fundamentals of SAS program structure and syntax.

In this module, you learn to identify the features of a SAS table, access data through SAS libraries, and import data into SAS.

In this module, you learn to use SAS procedures that provide insights about your data. You also learn to subset data so you can focus on particular segments, format data so you can easily understand it, and sort data to identify and resolve duplicate values.

In this module, you learn how to do some common data manipulations, such as filtering rows and columns, computing new columns, and performing conditional processing.

In this module, we concentrate on summarizing data by using the SAS procedures that we touched on for data exploration. You also learn how to use titles, column labels, footnotes, and macro variables to enhance your reports and make them more meaningful.

In this module, you learn to export SAS tables and results to Excel, Microsoft Word, and PDF files.

In this module, you learn to use the SQL procedure to read and filter data. You also learn to create and join tables by using SQL.