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UNC Carolina Population Center
 

SAS Work Environment

Batch

  • Write programs using an ascii text editor:
    • vi
    • ne
    • pico
    • SAS program editor
  • To invoke the default version of SAS in batch, in CPC's Linux/Unix environment, type:

    sas filename &

    If you want to be able to log off and keep your batch job running type:

    nohup sas filename &
  • Once the batch job has finished, there will be two new files:
    • One file will have the .log extension (i.e., filename.log).
    • One file will have the .lst extension (i.e., filename.lst).
  • Both files, .log and .lst, are plain text files that have page breaks (denoted with "^L") in them for printing purposes.  These files can be opened in any text editor but do not double-click on them to open them. 
 The ampersand "&" at the end of the command simply tells the computer to put the job in the background which gives you use of the prompt while the job is running.  It is not necessary to use it.  To check on your job status type "ps" at the prompt. 

Windowing Environment (a.k.a. Display Manager)

  • Invoke the Windowing Environment:
    • Double-click the SAS icon on your desktop.
    • Type sas in CPC's Linux/Unix environment.
  • Write programs using the Program Editor window.
    • Customize the Program Editor window.
    • Open more than one Program Editor window in your SAS session.
  • Submit the entire program or just a part of the program.
  • Notes, warnings and error messages appear in the Log window.
  • Results appear in the Output window.
    • Create standard SAS listing results.
    • Create HTML formatted results and send them to your preferred browser.  MS-Excel and MS-Word can read/open up an html file.  The results will be in a table format.
  • Print from any of the windows (no page breaks for printing with the Linux/Unix 'lp' command).
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Questions or comments?  If you are affiliated with the Carolina Population Center, send them to Phil Bardsley.