Getting Started With SAS/GRAPH

Introduction

Like other SAS procedures, the output from SAS/GRAPH procedures is controlled by ODS (Output Delivery System). ODS controls where your output is sent, which could be to a file, to the GRAPH window, directly to a printer, and so on. By default, ODS also applies a style to your output. Styles set the overall appearance of your output; that is, the colors and fonts that are used.

SAS/GRAPH uses device drivers to generate graphics output. SAS/GRAPH device drivers control the format of your graphics. For example, they determine whether SAS/GRAPH produces a PNG file, an SVG file, or an ActiveX control.

Note: This document deals only with device-based graphics. See Device-Based Graphics and Template-Based Graphics. [cautionend]

Each ODS destination is associated with a default style and a default graphics device to optimize your output for that destination. However, using ODS statements and SAS/GRAPH statements and options, you can customize all of the aspects of your output, including where your output is sent, its appearance, and the format of your graphics.

ODS destination	The ODS destination controls where your output is sent, such as to a file or directly, to a printer, and so on. The ODS destination is specified by the ODS destination statement.
ODS style	The ODS style controls the appearance of your output, including colors and fonts. The ODS STYLE= attribute in the ODS destination is specified by the ODS style statement.
SAS/GRAPH device	The SAS/GRAPH device controls the format of your graphics output such as PNG, GIF, SVG , and so on. The SAS/GRAPH DEVICE= option is specified in the GOPTIONS SAS/GRAPH DEVICE= statement

Note: The LISTING destination is unique. For the LISTING destination, the device controls where your output is sent. [cautionend]

The following sections discuss these concepts of SAS output and describe how you can use SAS/GRAPH and ODS statements and options to create the graphic output you want.

For complete information on ODS, see also SAS Output Delivery System: User's Guide.

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