Overview

Extension nodes provide a mechanism for extending the functionality of a SAS Enterprise Miner installation. Extension nodes can be developed to perform any essential data mining activity (that is, sample, explore, modify, model, or assess [SEMMA]). Although the SAS Enterprise Miner nodes that are distributed by SAS are typically designed to satisfy the needs of a diverse audience, extension nodes provide a means to develop custom solutions.
Developing an extension node is conceptually simple.
An extension node consists of the following:
  • one or more SAS source code files stored in a SAS library or in external files that are accessible by the SAS Enterprise Miner server
  • an XML file defining the properties of the node
  • two graphic images stored as GIF files.
When properly developed and deployed, an extension node integrates into the SAS Enterprise Miner workspace so that, from the perspective of the end user, it is indistinguishable from any other node in SAS Enterprise Miner. From a developer's perspective, the only difference is the storage location of the files that define an extension node's functionality and appearance. Any valid SAS language program statement can be used in the source code for an extension node, so an extension node's functionality is virtually unlimited.