Overview

This chapter describes the traditional graphics subroutines in the IML procedure that were developed in the 1980s and ’90s. Although these graphics subroutines are still supported in PROC IML, these traditional graphics are no longer developed or recommended. Instead, the SAS programmer is encouraged to use the newer ODS graphics, either by calling PROC SGPLOT or by using the pre-written graphics functions that are described in Chapter 15.

The traditional graphics in PROC IML are a set of of graphics primitives that you can use to create customized displays. Basic drawing statements include the GDRAW subroutine, which draws a line, the GPOINT subroutine, which plots points, and the GPOLY subroutine, which draws a polygon. With each drawing statement, you can associate a set of attributes such as a color or a line style.

In this chapter, you learn how to do the following:

  • plot simple two-dimensional plots

  • name and save a graph

  • change attributes such as color and line style

  • specify the location and scale of your graph

  • add axes and text

The PROC IML graphics subroutines depend on the libraries and device drivers distributed with SAS/GRAPH software, and they do not work unless you have SAS/GRAPH software.