Overview of SAS system

In the Statistical point of view, SAS system is a software package used to reading, preprocessing, representation, statistical analysis, reporting of results of data. The functions include:
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• Reading data
• Preprocessing data
• Representing data
• Analyzing data
• Reporting results

1. Reading data
   The raw data in different formats can be read, stored into SAS session temporarily or permanently. The process is usually done in DATA steps. The following lists major packages or procedures that deal with the data input.
   
   • PROC IMPORT
   • DATA step
     
   • PROC SQL
     
2. Preprocession data
   After datasets are available to a SAS session, you need to preprocess the data in order to represent, summarize and analyze the data. Preprocessing refers to the process of creating new dataset, creating/modifying variables, merging multiple datasets, combining/deleting observations, cleaning datasets by all kinds of programs. The following lists major procedures that deal with the preprocessing of data.
   
   • PROC SQL
     
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