Sample Objects

Configured Samples

If you chose to configure samples when you installed SAS Visual Analytics, the following objects exist:
  • The metadata folder /Products/SAS Visual Analytics/Samples, which contains a sample exploration (if your deployment includes the explorer), sample tables, and sample reports.
    sample objects
  • The metadata favorites folder /Products/SAS Visual Analytics/Visual Analytics Samples, which provides access to the sample reports and is displayed on the home page as a collection.
    samples favorites
  • Physical tables (va_sample_*.sas7bdat), stored in the SAS configuration directory at the following location:
    /AppData/SASVisualAnalytics/VisualAnalyticsAdministrator/PublicDataProvider
    physical tables for samples
    Note: The specified location is the reload-on-start backing store for the public LASR library (Visual Analytics Public LASR).

Tips and Guidelines

  • The sample data is loaded when the associated server (Public LASR Analytic Server) starts. See Start or Stop a Server.
    Note: If the tables are interactively unloaded, you can reload the tables by stopping and then restarting the server. You cannot interactively reload the tables. (A log entry or message might indicate that you are not authorized to interactively reload the tables. However, the tables are not interactively reloadable, regardless of your permissions.)
    Note: In the designer, explorer, and data builder, users can trigger an autostart of the associated server by performing a self-service import action. See Host Account Privileges.
  • Initially, all registered users can see the sample objects. To limit access, set denials of the ReadMetadata permission on the folder /Products/SAS Visual Analytics/Samples. For example, if you want the sample objects to be visible to only unrestricted users, set a denial of the ReadMetadata permission for the PUBLIC group. See Grant or Deny a Permission.
    Note: Each user can hide the sample collection. An administrator can unpublish the sample collection. See the Help for the home page.
  • You can delete the sample objects (from metadata) and the associated physical tables (from the file system).

Manual Configuration

If you chose not to configure samples when you installed SAS Visual Analytics, the folders, objects and physical tables that are described in the preceding sections do not exist. However, sample-related files exist in the following locations regardless of whether you chose to configure samples:
  • SAS package (SPK) files for the sample objects:
    SPK Locations
    UNIX (example)
    /opt/sas/SASHome/SASVisualAnalyticsAdministrator/7.4/Config/Deployment/Packages
    /opt/sas/SASHome/SASVisualAnalyticsExplorer/7.4/Config/Deployment/Packages1
    Windows (example)
    C:\sas\SASHome\SASVisualAnalyticsAdministrator\7.4\Config\Deployment\Packages
    C:\sas\SASHome\SASVisualAnalyticsExplorer\7.4\Config\Deployment\Packages1
    1If your deployment includes the explorer.
    Note: The SPK files are on the machine that hosts SAS Visual Analytics.
  • Backup copies of the physical tables:
    UNIX (example)
    /opt/sas/SASHome/SASFoundation/9.4/samples/bimva
    Windows (example)
    C:\sas\SASHome\SASFoundation\9.4\bimva\sample
Here is one way to configure samples after installation:
  1. In SAS Management Console, add metadata objects as follows:
    1. On the Folders tab, right-click the /Products/SAS Visual Analytics folder, and select Newthen selectFolder. Add a Samples folder. On the new folder’s Authorization tab, add the following direct access controls for the SASUSERS group: deny WriteMetadata, grant Read, and grant Write.
    2. Right-click the Samples folder, and select Import SAS Package.
      1. From the SASVisualAnalyticsAdministrator branch, import VASampleTable.spk and VAAditionalSampleTables.spk. Then, import VASampleReport.spk and VAAdditionalSampleReports.spk.
      2. If your deployment has the SASVisualAnalyticsExplorer branch, import VASampleReportExpl.spk. If your deployment also has SAS Visual Statistics, import VASampleBankTable.spk. (It is not necessary to import VASampleTable.spk again.)
  2. Copy the physical tables (va_sample_*.sas7bdat) from your bimva location to the PublicDataProvider directory for your Visual Analytics Public LASR library.
  3. On the modern SAS Home page, create, add, and publish a collection that references the sample reports.
    1. Sign in to the home page as a member of the SAS Administrators group.
    2. Click Collection.
    3. Select Create a New Collection.
    4. Enter the name Visual Analytics Samples.
    5. Select SAS Foldersthen selectProductsthen selectSAS Visual Analytics.
    6. Select Publish this collection for all users.
    7. Click Save.
    8. To add the sample reports to the new collection, edit the collection.
Last updated: December 18, 2018