• Print  |
  • Feedback  |

FOCUS AREAS

Archive of Technical Papers and Presentations

Our technical papers and presentations provide you with the inside track about our technologies, products, and solutions. The papers on this page are two years old or older, but you may find them helpful, so we continue to make them available. Be sure to check the current papers list for additional papers.

Papers and Presentations Given in 2006

SAS Presentations at SUGI 31
The following papers highlight features and applications of newly developed or enhanced SAS tools and solutions. These papers were given at SUGI 31 as a scheduled paper, during SAS Presents, or on the Demo Floor. View the online SUGI 31 Proceedings.
  • Creating AND Importing Multi-Sheet Excel Workbooks the Easy Way with SAS
    This paper discusses using new XML support in Base SAS 9.1 software to move data between SAS and Microsoft Excel (version 2002 or later). You will learn techniques for creating multi-sheet Excel workbooks containing your SAS output. Read the paper (PDF) | Download the example SAS programs (ZIP)

  • Delivering Intelligence for Real-Time Decision Making
    This paper discusses how SAS and SAS Data Integration can be used to integrate with real-time data sources (message queues, Web services, and service-oriented architectures) to deliver the information needed to make decisions that are based on intelligence at the right time. Read the paper (PDF)

  • Navigating SAS Mapping Technologies
    This handout gives a brief overview of the powerful technologies and tools provided with SAS to transform with your location data. The mapping technologies include all of the methods of viewing maps and the mapping tools include some new and important tools for dealing with spatial data. Read the paper (PDF)

  • SAS®9 OLAP Cube Update — New Functionality in SAS 9.2
    Provides an overview of new features for updating cubes. These new features will be available in our OLAP Server software in 9.2. View the presentation (PDF)

  • SAS/AF: Building a Tree View Hierarchy with Drag and Drop
    Drag-and-drop is a powerful tool in SAS/AF software. In combination with the Tree View Control, these tools enable you to build exciting SAS/AF applications such as the one presented in this paper. Read the paper (PDF) | Download the example SAS programs (ZIP)

  • SAS Enterprise Guide 4.1: What's New
    This presentation summary introduces you to the new features available with SAS Enterprise Guide 4.1. View the presentation (PDF)

  • SAS Enterprise Guide for SAS Programmers
    This presentation summary explains key enhancements in Enterprise Guide that are targeted to SAS programmers. View the presentation (PDF)

  • SAS Scalable Performance Data Server 4.3 TSM1: Parallel Join with Enhanced GROUP BY Processing
    This paper discusses the coverage, restrictions, tuning, and performance benefits of the Parallel Join Facility and the enhanced GROUP BY method in the SAS SPD Server 4.3 TSM1 release. Read the paper (PDF)

  • SAS Scalable Performance Data Server 4.3: Scalability Solution for SAS Dynamic Cluster Tables
    This paper provides an overview of the dynamic cluster tables feature of SAS Scalable Performance Data Server 4.3. Dynamic cluster tables enable both the partitioning of data based on criteria in the data and parallel loading of the cluster tables. Read the paper (PDF)

  • Securing Your SAS®9 Deployment
    The goal of this presentation is to explain some of the ways you can reduce security exposures in SAS®9. It includes a list of general guidelines and improvements that cover many areas of SAS deployment. View the presentation (PDF)

  • Solving SAS Performance Problems: Employing Host Based Tools
    This paper details the use of the most commonly available host-based performance monitors. It discusses how to employ them in performance testing, interpret them with a SAS mindset, and reconcile them to FULLSTIMER output. Read the paper (PDF)

  • The Practical Union of OLAP Analysis and Geographic Mapping
    This paper introduces some well-documented benefits of OLAP exploitation and suggests how these benefits can be extended to include geographic display and navigation. Also provided is an overview of methodology and implementation details for linking levels of an OLAP hierarchy with layers in a geographic map. Read the paper (PDF) | Download the presentations (ZIP)

  • Teaching Your RTF Tagset to Do Clever Tricks
    This paper presents a simple comparison between the default RTF Tagset and an additional experimental sample RTF Tagset. The sample, which is provided by SAS, shows how to customize a tagset. Read the paper (PDF) | Download the examples (ZIP)

Papers and Presentations Given in 2005

SAS Presentations at Regional Users Groups
The following papers and presentations were presented at regional SAS Users Groups and other conferences throughout the year.
  • Counting the Ways to Excel
    This tutorial was presented at the Michigan SAS Users Group in June 2005. It tutorial outlines all the ways to get information from SAS to Excel. The method you choose depends on whether you're dealing with a SAS data set or SAS procedure output. Topics include using the SAS Excel Libname engine; using PROC EXPORT; using ODS to create CSV, HTML and XML files that can be opened by Excel; using the SAS Add-In for Microsoft Office. Download the presentation and the example SAS programs (ZIP)

  • ODS to Excel Case Study
    This tutorial, presented at the NESUG in September 2005, shows the step-by-step solution to an ODS to Excel case study. For this case-study, the requirement was to replace a non-SAS process (TPL to PDF conversion process) with ODS. The solution was to use SAS®9 and the MSOffice2K tagset to create an HTML file that could be opened in Excel 2000. Other requirements were: produce a print-ready black and white report; set landscape orientation inside Excel; set Excel print area; set Excel print titles; include an Excel header for Page X of Y numbering; produce indented detail lines and flush left group headers; and produce more than 10 footnotes. Download the presentation and the example SAS programs (ZIP)
SAS Presentations at SUGI 30
The following papers highlight features and applications of newly developed or enhanced SAS tools and solutions. These papers were given at SUGI 30 as a scheduled paper, during SAS Presents, or on the Demo Floor. View the online SUGI 30 Proceedings.
  • Change Data Capture with SAS/ACCESS and SAS ETL Products and Processes
    Using SAS ACCESS and SAS ETL products and processes to drive DBMS change data capture in DB2 and Oracle are the focus topics of this paper. Why change data capture? How would I use SAS products to get the change data? What do I have to do on the DBMS side? How efficient is the process? These and questions like these are the focus of this paper. Download the presentation and the example SAS programs (ZIP)

  • Cheap Geocoding: SAS/GIS and Free TIGER Data
    Geocoding is the process used to convert address data to map coordinates. This presentation introduces geocoding and examines several techniques for geocoding address data using SAS/GIS and free data. Read the paper (PDF) | Download the example SAS programs (ZIP)

  • Customizing ODS Statistical Graphs
    This SUGI 30 paper explains how to access and modify graph templates. If you are a statistician interested in obtaining easy graphics from statistical procedures, ODS Graphics features provide an automated way of exploring statistical results with a picture. However, if you are a SAS programmer interested in customizing the plots automatically produced by ODS Graphics, you can benefit from an understanding of the graph and style templates that SAS provides for these plots, especially to make changes that persist from one application to the next. This download contains the code samples and demos presented at SUGI. Download the presentation and the example SAS programs (ZIP)

  • Enhancements to the SAS Data Storage Architecture
    SAS R&D is hard at work on significant new data storage capabilities. This presentation/paper discusses the research that is underway and discusses the direction SAS Intelligence Storage is headed. Included is information on enhanced language processing capabilities, ACID transactions, and a new multi-threaded data access architecture. View the presentation (PDF)

  • Filling the Gap: Extending the SAS BI Server with Custom Tasks
    SAS Enterprise Guide and the SAS Add-In for Microsoft Office ship with dozens of tasks for data manipulation, analysis, and reporting. But even so, it won't take you long to think of a particular task that is not covered by the product "out of the box". This presentation provides an overview of the add-in architecture plus an example task that uses Microsoft .NET tools and technology to provide a new feature to the application. Download documentation and examples

  • Going Beyond the Basics with ODS HTML and CSS
    This SAS Presents session provided a brief introduction into Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) Technology and browser compliance. Then, all the methods of using CSS with ODS HTML were discussed: how to create a base CSS file with ODS HTML; how to use an existing CSS file with ODS HTML; how to use the HTMLCLASS and HTMLSTYLE attributes to specify or override SAS-generated style attributes; and how to use the HEADTEXT option to pass style information to an HTML page or supply a <LINK> tag for a second style sheet. Download the presentation and the example SAS programs (ZIP)

  • Knit One Pearl Two to Successful Data Access
    This presentation discussion a process that enables you to knit together the fabric of the SAS®9 environment. Several real world case studies are used to illustrate the components and interactions needed for DBMS data access. Download the presentation and the example SAS programs (ZIP)

  • Loading Cube Data at Non-Leaf Levels
    This paper discusses advanced cube-loading techniques. It is assumed that the reader is familiar with creating SAS®9 OLAP Cubes and preparing data for loading into SAS®9 OLAP Cubes. Knowledge of the MDX query language is helpful for understanding the notation of dimension, hierarchy, level, and member names. Read the paper (PDF)

  • Moving Data and Analytical Results between SAS and Microsoft Office
    This paper discusses using the HTML and XML support in Base SAS software to move data between SAS and Microsoft Office (versions 2002 and later). You can use the techniques described here regardless of the platform on which SAS software is installed (including a mainframe). Read the paper (PDF) | Download the source code (ZIP)

  • Maximizing Data Mining Effectiveness Through More Efficient Model Deployment
    Manipulating raw data into valuable, usable information continues to be a significant challenge for most financial institutions. This presentation provides strategies for overcoming the challenges of model deployment. View the presentation (PDF)

  • The New World of SAS: Programming with SAS Enterprise Guide
    SAS Enterprise Guide (with its easy-to-use interface) has been a boon to SAS users, especially non-programmers. However, SAS Enterprise Guide provides some powerful new features that are geared toward the SAS programmer. This paper provides an overview and detailed examples of how SAS programmers can leverage SAS Enterprise Guide to create, organize, and execute their SAS programs. Read the paper (PDF)

  • Performance Test Suite Results for SAS 9.1 Foundation on the IBM zSeries Mainframe
    This paper presents the performance results that were obtained from two, complementary, batch test suites that were run using SAS 8.2 and SAS 9.1. SAS uses batch test suites to monitor the performance of commonly used features of SAS Foundation software during the development cycle and between releases. Read the paper (PDF)

  • Pipeline Parallelism Performance Practicalities
    The purpose of pipeline parallelism is to increase your speed of your program and decrease your I/O operations. This paper will take you behind the scenes to show you what's going on and focus on what NOT to do that could actually cause your program to behave improperly. Read the paper (PDF)

  • The Power of the Graphics Template Language
    This paper explains how to create graphs with the Graphics Template Language and the DATA step. Read the paper (PDF)

  • The Power of Table Templates and DATA _NULL_
    This SUGI 30 paper explains how to create and use a custom TABLE template with a DATA _NULL_ program. Through the use of concrete examples, you will learn how to become a power user of custom TABLE templates and DATA _NULL_. Topics covered include defining a new template, defining headers and footers, using GENERIC columns, and performing traffic-lighting based on data cell values. Download the presentation and the example SAS programs (ZIP)

  • SAS Office Integration with the BI Server
    SAS Add-In for Microsoft Office provides access to much of the power of SAS from Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word. This presentation covers the basic capabilities and introduces you to how SAS Add-In for Microsoft Office can help you leverage SAS in your organization. Read the paper (PDF)

  • SAS Threaded Kernel Table Services: Enhanced Data Access Technology
    This paper describes the basic TKTS functionality and the SAS products that use TKTS. The goals of TKTS are presented to provide the scope of the TKTS architecture in existing SAS data access technology. An explanation of each software component's role within the TKTS architecture is also provided. Read the paper (PDF)

  • Server Soup: Understanding the SAS®9 Client/Server Recipe
    With each release, SAS introduces new pieces of software that carry the "server" label. This paper examines the servers that are available from SAS, and attempts to bring order to the collection by categorizing them according to the functional role that they play in the SAS®9 Intelligence Platform. The set of clients that the servers, individually and collectively, support are also discussed. Read the paper (PDF)

  • Tips and Tricks III: More Unique SAS/GRAPH Maps
    This presentation examines additional techniques for creating effective and unique SAS/GRAPH maps. Read the paper (PDF) | Download the example SAS programs (ZIP)

  • Tips and Tricks: Using SAS/GRAPH Effectively
    This paper examines the powerful components of SAS/GRAPH and highlights techniques for harnessing that power to create effective and attention-grabbing graphs. Read the paper (PDF) | Download the example SAS programs (ZIP)

  • Top Ten Questions to Ask Before Your Data Migration
    This paper identifies some hidden issues, such as locating your data libraries, migrating the trouble makers, maintaining access to unchanging data, and sweet-talking your system administrator. Read the paper (PDF)

  • Universal Design: A Commitment to Accessible Software from SAS Institute
    Accessible software is designed to be usable by people who have diverse impairments or disabilities and use assistive technologies to meet their needs. SAS believes that we have a legal, economic, and moral imperative to deliver software that works with assistive technologies. This paper explains how SAS is committed to providing accessible software products and documentation through the ongoing evolution of its product lines. Review the references (PDF)

  • Use of Styles in Graphics
    This paper explains how ODS styles affect SAS/Graph and ODS Statistical Graphics output. Read the paper (PDF)

Papers and Presentations Given in 2004

SAS Presents... at SUGI 29
The following papers highlight features and applications of newly developed or enhanced SAS tools and solutions. These papers supplement the SAS Presents... presentations given at SUGI 29. View the online SUGI 29 Proceedings for more papers from SUGI 29.
  • The DATA step in SAS®9: What's New?
    Read about enhancements that include: Perl regular expressions for fast search and replace in text, hash tables for searching an expandable collection of values based on a key, and sorting values with a DATA step function. Read the paper (PDF)

  • From SAS to Excel via XML
    Transferring data between SAS and Microsoft Excel can be difficult, especially when SAS is not installed on a Windows platform. This paper discusses using new XML support in BASE SAS 9.1 software to move data between SAS and Microsoft Excel (versions 2002 and later). You can use the techniques described here regardless of the platform on which SAS software is installed, such as Windows, OpenVMS, UNIX or z/OS. Read the paper (PDF) | Download the source code (ZIP) | (updated: May 2005)

  • Markup 101: Markup Basics
    Learn what Markup Languages are all about and how the concept of marking up content or text on computers has paralleled the development of WYSIWYG tools. Learn how SAS can both read and write markup files. Read the paper (PDF)

  • New Security Features in SAS®9
    View this presentation for an overview of the new security features that are available now as well as to get a glimpse of some features yet to come. Download the presentation (ZIP)

  • ODS Graphics Template Language
    This presentation shows how the experimental ODS Graphics Template Language (GTL) can be used on the TEMPLATE procedure to define custom graphs. Also, it shows how ODS GTL syntax can be used to create custom layouts and overlays. View the presentation.

  • SAS®9 and Your DBMS — tips, tricks and code snips
    This presentation provides you with some basic information and groundwork for your exploration of DBMS data access with base SAS and SAS solutions. The tips, tricks, and code snips will help you manage the SAS/ACCESS interaction with your DBMS. Download the presentation and code samples (ZIP)
  • Skinning the Cat This Way and That: Using ODS to Create Word Documents that Work for You
    In the course of creating a customized RTF file from SAS procedural output, the authors of a SUGI 29 paper discovered a number of useful ODS tricks. These tricks are now available to you in this SUGI presentation. Get the details.

  • Software Project Management Skills
    "How to Eat an Elephant" was presented in a focus session for software managers and describes some of the processes and applications that SAS uses to develop and release our applications. Best practices for finding your own recipe are also shared. Download the presentation (ZIP)

  • Technology Updates to SAS/ACCESS and IBM DB2 UDB
    This presentation takes a look at the new features in DB2 UDB V 8.1 and how to take advantage of these features in SAS/ACCESS to DB2 UDB for SAS®9. Download the presentation (ZIP)

  • Tips and Tricks II: Getting the most from your SAS/GRAPH maps
    This presentation highlights some techniques for creating effective and unique SAS/GRAPH maps. Read the paper (PDF) | Download the example SAS programs (ZIP)
 

Papers and Presentations Given in 2003

SAS Presents... at SUGI 28
The following papers highlight features and applications of newly developed or enhanced SAS tools and solutions. These papers supplement the SAS Presents... presentations given at SUGI 28. View the online SUGI 28 Proceedings for more papers from SUGI.
  • Developing Data-Driven Applications Using JDBC and Java Servlet/JSP Technologies
    Read about the enhancements that have been made to the SAS Java component library available with Version 3 of AppDev Studio. Read the paper (PDF)

  • Developing Integrated Data Models for SAS Solutions
    The topics cover the definition of integrated data architecture, the development approach for the data models, and the benefits of achieving this integration. View the handout (PDF)

  • IntelliVisor for Financial Services
    The SAS IntelliVisor for Financial Services solution is an ASP service that analyzes Web activity to help marketers build brand equity, stimulate demand, and create productive customer relationships through the Web. Read the paper (PDF)

  • Introduction to the SAS Custom Tag Library
    The SAS Custom Tag Library, available in Version 3 of AppDev Studio, is a collection of custom tags that provide a wide range of functionality. This paper provides an introduction, using examples, to building and deploying JavaServer Pages™ (JSP). Read the paper (PDF)

  • Multilingual Computing with the 9.1 SAS Unicode Server updated October 2003
    This paper introduces the Unicode support that is provided in SAS 9.1 and discusses several scenarios for how you might use this support to deliver multilingual data to users around the world. Read the paper (PDF)

  • SAS Information Delivery Portal, 2.0
    The Information Delivery Portal delivers intelligence to user through a secure and customized Web interface. View Don Chapman's presentation slides from SUGI 28 for more details. View the presentation (PPS) | Download the presentation (ZIP)

  • SAS Mapping: Technologies, Techniques, Tips and Tricks updated January 2005
    This paper provides you with the resources to help you choose the right technology and tool to effectively transform data into useful information. Read the paper (PDF) | Download the source code (ZIP)

Papers and Presentations Given in 2002

SAS Presents... at SUGI 27
The following papers highlight features and applications of newly developed or enhanced SAS tools and solutions. These papers supplement the SAS Presents... presentations given at SUGI 27. View the online SUGI 27 Proceedings for more papers from SUGI.
  • The Data Step in Version 9: What's New?
    This paper presents the DATA step language enhancements provided in SAS Software for Version 9. Read the paper (PDF)

  • The SAS System on the Windows and Microsoft .Net Platforms: Time for a change?
    As Microsoft continues down the path towards its' .NET vision, some subtle and not so subtle changes to the Windows operating systems are being made and SAS is working to take advantage of these changes. Read the paper (PDF)

  • Large-Scale Automatic Forecasting: Millions of Forecasts
    SAS High-Performance Forecasting performs large-scale automatic forecasting without the need for human intervention. Built for speed and efficiency, High-Performance Forecasting can produce millions of forecasts very quickly using either time series or transactional data. Read the paper (PDF)

  • An Introduction to Genetic Data Analysis Using SAS/Genetics
    This paper describes methods for analyzing genetic marker data including association mapping techniques and presents an example to illustrate the features of SAS/Genetics. Read the paper (PDF)

  • A Practical Approach to Solving Performance Problems with the SAS System
    This paper will suggest a stepwise method to diagnose, correct, and prevent performance problems involving the SAS system. Read the paper (PDF)

  • SAS/OR Network Visualization Workshop
    The SAS/OR Network Visualization Workshop is an interactive, graphics-oriented tool for investigating network or graph data. Read the paper (PDF)

  • How to do Horrible Things with Raw RTF Specifications and the SAS RTF ODA
    Combining Rich Text Format specifications with the SAS RTF output destination allows SAS programmers to create customized format features for use in WORD. This saves time and effort, improves consistency, and extends current behavior. Read the paper (PDF)

  • Scalable Access to SAS Data
    Symmetric multiprocessor (SMP) computers can increase performance by reducing the time required to analyze large volumes of data. Using a new engine in Version 9, large SAS data sets can be partitioned and an I/O stream can be initiated for each processor. Read the paper (PDF)