Frequently Asked SAS/ASSIST Software Questions

Licensing, Hardware, and Software Requirements

How can I find out if I have SAS/ASSIST software licensed at my site?
To determine if you have SAS/ASSIST software at your site, attempt to invoke it using the instructions in The SAS/ASSIST User Interface. If you do not have SAS/ASSIST software licensed, then an error message appears.

To get full functionality of SAS/ASSIST software, what SAS System products do I need to license?
To use SAS/ASSIST software, you need to license base SAS software and SAS/ASSIST software. However, for full functionality of SAS/ASSIST software, you need additional SAS products. See The SAS/ASSIST WorkPlace Environment to determine what software you need to license to complete various tasks using SAS/ASSIST software.

Why can I not create graphics with SAS/ASSIST software even though I have a GRAPHICS item on my WorkPlace menu?
To create high-resolution graphics with SAS/ASSIST software, you must have SAS/GRAPH software licensed and must have a graphics device to display or print the graphics. If you do not have SAS/GRAPH software licensed, then you can create graphics with SAS/ASSIST software but the graphics will be low-resolution only.

If you do not have a product licensed that is needed for a particular task in SAS/ASSIST software, the item for that task still appears on your SAS/ASSIST software menus. However, you are not able to complete the task, and when you select the item, a message appears and informs you that you do not have the needed product.

Can I use SAS/ASSIST software with a nongraphics terminal on a mainframe?
Yes; however, you can create only low-resolution graphics. You cannot create high-resolution graphics with a nongraphics mainframe terminal. In some cases, you may be able to produce graphics in hardcopy form even if your terminal does not support graphics; see the SAS Support Consultant at your site for details.

Does SAS/ASSIST software serve as a front-end to all SAS products? Which products can I not access through SAS/ASSIST software?
No, SAS/ASSIST software does not serve as a front-end to all SAS products. Many of the more highly specialized SAS products, such as SAS/GIS software and SAS/AF software, are not accessible via SAS/ASSIST software.

Additionally, software products from SAS that are not part of the SAS System are not accessible via SAS/ASSIST software. Examples of these software products include the SAS/C Compiler and Library Products, the SAS/C Development System for AmigaDOS microcomputer C compilers, JMP software, and SYSTEM 2000 Data Management Software.

What is the relationship between SAS/EIS software and SAS/ASSIST software?
When you license SAS/EIS software, you can access it through the EIS item on the SAS/ASSIST WorkPlace menu. SAS/EIS software can be used to build and access custom applications and enterprise information systems (EISs). SAS/ASSIST software can be used to generate the SAS code, reports, and graphics to be used in your custom applications.

SAS/ASSIST software pull-down menus have many layers. Is there a way that I can bypass the menus and go directly to the item I need?
Yes, there are two ways:

You can use the Index feature to go directly to the item that you want to use. From the WorkPlace menu, select Index. The Index window appears with a list of SAS/ASSIST tasks and functions.
You can also create a private menu that contains your frequently used tasks. See Setting Up and Using a Private Menu for details on private menus.

Can I use SAS/ASSIST software without a mouse?
It depends on your operating environment. In certain operating environments, you can press TAB or BACKTAB or use arrow keys to position the cursor on the desired item. Then, you can press ENTER to select it. Other operating environments require that you have a mouse to use SAS/ASSIST software. See the SAS documentation for your operating environment or the SAS Support Consultant at your site for details.

How do I take advantage of a mouse while using SAS/ASSIST software?
A mouse enables you to point and click to select items in SAS/ASSIST software. This method eliminates the keystrokes necessary to position the cursor on an item and then to select the item. Refer to the SAS documentation for your operating environment for more information about using a mouse.

Where do I find information about accessing, moving around, and exiting SAS/ASSIST software?
Refer to Familiarizing Yourself with SAS and SAS/ASSIST Software.

Can I add a SAS/ASSIST button to my ToolBox?
Yes. If you have a ToolBox or tool bar in your operating environment's version of SAS, then you can add a SAS/ASSIST button to the ToolBox or tool bar. See Adding a SAS/ASSIST Button to Your Toolbox for details.

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