Structured Query Language (SQL) using SAS

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

Introduction

### Course Review: Structured Query Language (SQL) using SAS on Coursera In today's data-driven world, proficiency in SQL is a vital skill for anyone working with data, whether you're a beginner looking to build your foundation or an experienced data analyst wanting to enhance your skills with a professional tool like SAS. The course "Structured Query Language (SQL) using SAS" available on Coursera delves into just that, offering learners an opportunity to master SQL within the context of SAS programming. #### Course Overview This course is meticulously crafted to equip learners with essential SQL skills while leveraging SAS capabilities. As you progress through the modules, you will gain hands-on experience in querying and manipulating data, creating insightful reports, and ultimately making data-driven decisions. Each module builds systematically on the last, ensuring that foundational concepts are thoroughly understood before advancing to more complex applications. #### Learning Outcomes By the end of the course, participants will be able to: - **Query and Subset Data**: Efficiently filter data to focus on specific insights. - **Summarize and Present Data**: Create summaries and engage in data visualization for clearer interpretation. - **Combine Tables**: Utilize various join methods and set operators to integrate data from multiple sources. - **Create and Modify Tables**: Develop new tables and views as per operational requirements. - **Utilize Macro Variables**: Implement dynamic programming constructs to enhance the maintainability of your code. - **Access External Data**: Employ SAS/ACCESS technology to seamlessly work with external Database Management Systems (DBMS). #### Course Syllabus Breakdown 1. **Course Overview and Data Setup**: Familiarization with course objectives and the initial software setup for hands-on activities. 2. **Essentials of SQL**: An introduction to SQL fundamentals, including the SQL procedure in SAS, laying the groundwork for further exploration. 3. **PROC SQL Fundamentals**: Covering key SQL commands — SELECT, FROM, WHERE, GROUP BY, HAVING, and ORDER BY — learners will create their first queries, acquire skills in data grouping, and begin working with SAS management tables. 4. **SQL Joins**: This essential module dives into various types of joins (INNER, OUTER, complex), providing clarity on combining tables horizontally, a skill crucial for integrated data analysis. 5. **Subqueries**: Learners will explore the power of subqueries, learning to nest queries effectively for dynamic data manipulation. 6. **Set Operators**: Understanding INTERSECT, UNION, and other set operators allows learners to concatenate and integrate datasets, an essential skill for comprehensive data analysis. 7. **Using Macro Variables**: With a focus on programming efficiency, this module emphasizes user-defined macro variables, enhancing code maintainability and adaptability. 8. **Accessing DBMS Data**: Learners will access and interact with third-party data sources, sharpening their SQL skills across different platforms through SAS/ACCESS technology. 9. **Case Study and Certification Preparation**: A real-world business scenario challenges learners to apply their acquired knowledge effectively, ensuring a practical understanding of concepts. #### Recommendation The **Structured Query Language (SQL) using SAS** course on Coursera comes highly recommended for anyone seeking to enhance their SQL proficiency within a SAS environment. The course is ideal for data analysts, data scientists, and IT professionals looking to gain practical skills that can be immediately applied to real-world data challenges. The structured yet flexible approach allows both newcomers and seasoned professionals to benefit, gathering the necessary knowledge and experience to utilize SQL in their work effectively. Furthermore, the hands-on case study reinforces learning, making it both engaging and applicable. In conclusion, if you want to bolster your SQL capabilities and leverage SAS for data analysis, this course is an investment in your career development that promises to deliver both knowledge and practical skills in a comprehensive manner. Don’t miss the chance to advance your skills and stand out in the competitive data landscape!

Syllabus

Course Overview and Data Setup

In this module you get an overview of what you learn in this course and you set up the software and data you use for activities and practices in the course.

In this module, you learn about the Structured Query Language (SQL) and begin exploring data using the SQL procedure in SAS.

In this module, you learn the fundamentals of SQL by using the SELECT, FROM, WHERE, GROUP BY, HAVING, and ORDER BY clauses. You generate simple queries, group and summarize data, create and manage tables, and retrieve information about your SAS session using DICTIONARY tables.

In this module, you learn about joining data horizontally from multiple tables using the Cartesian product. You learn how to perform INNER, OUTER and complex joins.

In this module, you learn about using subqueries, or a query within a query. You begin by using a subquery in the WHERE or HAVING clause to dynamically subset your data, then you use a query in the FROM clause (In-Line view) to act as a virtual table. Finally, you use a subquery in the SELECT clause to perform dynamic calculations.

In this module, you learn to concatenate tables vertically using the INTERSECT, EXCEPT, UNION and OUTER UNION set operators. You learn the difference between the set operators, as well as how to use modifiers to adjust the default behavior.

In this module, you learn about creating and utilizing user-defined macro variables to dynamically write programs that are easily maintained. In addition, you learn to create data-driven macro variables using the SQL procedure, and how to apply the newly created macro variables to your program.

In this module, you learn about SAS/ACCESS technology to retrieve data from third party database management systems (DBMS). You learn about accessing data from a DBMS through the SQL Pass-Through Facility, which allows you to use the specific DBMS implementation of SQL, and the SAS/ACCESS LIBNAME statement, which translates SAS SQL to native DBMS SQL. Finally, you learn about the FEDSQL procedure to use vendor neutral SQL to push as much processing into the DBMS as possible.

In this case study, you solve a real-world business problem by applying concepts that you learned in this course.