How to Learn SAS Online

SAS is a statistical analysis software package developed by SAS Institute. It is used for data entry, data mining, statistical analysis, quality improvement, business planning, forecasting, and decision making. SAS is marketed toward programmers and relies heavily on a text-driven interface. Current versions of SAS are available for Microsoft Windows, IBM mainframes, Unix/Linux, and OpenVMS. Older versions supported PC-DOS, Apple Macintosh, VMS, and OS/2 systems.

Instructions

1. If you do not already have a copy, download a copy of SAS Learning Edition 4.1. SAS Learning Edition is a less expensive version of SAS designed specifically for single users for educational purposes.

2. Review SAS certified Base Programmer exam requirements and obtain educational materials that discuss these topics. Even if you do not take the certification exam, the knowledge and skills required for this exam are necessary for a beginning SAS programmer who desires to learn how to effectively use SAS.

3. Consider enrolling in university courses that cover SAS. Penn State University has a three-course sequence in SAS programming that is offered entirely over the Internet. Knowledge Systems Institute provides an intensive two-course SAS career certificate program.

References

• SAS Institute: SAS Certified Base Programmer for SAS 9
• Penn State World Campus: Graduate Certificate in Applied Statistics
• Knowledge Systems Institute: SAS Career Program

Resources

• SAS Institute: SAS Learning Edition 4.1