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SAS book recommendations
- Thread starter cosmid
- Start date
The Little SAS Book.
It's widely regarded as being the best around. I've never used it myself, I'd been using SAS for a couple of years with some really helpful people around me by the time I became aware of it, but everyone I've heard from who has used it rates it really highly.
Chris
Business Analyst, Code Monkey, Data Wrangler.
SAS Guru.
It's widely regarded as being the best around. I've never used it myself, I'd been using SAS for a couple of years with some really helpful people around me by the time I became aware of it, but everyone I've heard from who has used it rates it really highly.
Chris
Business Analyst, Code Monkey, Data Wrangler.
SAS Guru.
- Thread starter
- #3
Hi Chris, thanks again for your reply. I have only read 2 SAS books, The Little SAS Book and the book for the SAS Base Programming certificate. I am a certified SAS Base Programmer and yet I can barely write any SAS programs. My question is, how did you become so good at SAS? One of my plan is to start going through every posts here and work on them so that I can get some practice, will that help? Thanks!
bryanbayfield
Technical User
Being lazy helps ... it forces you to find better, more efficient, ways to do things.
Maybe joining the SAS-L mailing list would help, don't ask questions yourself, just lurk.
Not a big fan of the little SAS book myself, I prefer "Sharpening Your SAS Skills" but since all that does is more or less just go through the Base syllabus it might be too much help.
How about joining a SAS User Group near to you?
The best way to learn is to do so from your mistakes. You do learn a lot that way.
Maybe joining the SAS-L mailing list would help, don't ask questions yourself, just lurk.
Not a big fan of the little SAS book myself, I prefer "Sharpening Your SAS Skills" but since all that does is more or less just go through the Base syllabus it might be too much help.
How about joining a SAS User Group near to you?
The best way to learn is to do so from your mistakes. You do learn a lot that way.
- Thread starter
- #5
Practice practice practice.
I always find that the hardest thing to do is START writing a program. The first stage is when you amend existing programs to get them to do what you want.
The second stages of programming is when you can start with a completely blank page, possibly the most frightening thing when you're a beginner.
If you are at a company where there is an existing stock of SAS programs available to you, I'd recommend working through them and working out what they are doing and how.
Re-writing those same programs is another good method.
When I first started programming in SAS, I did the simple training course on line, and was then basically thrown work by the guys around me, all experienced SAS programmers. These guys would then walk me through the code I'd written, explain better ways to do it, or why certain things don't work, best practices etc. That worked really well for me. If you can find yourself a SAS programmer in your office that is willing to help you out, then this I think is the best way.
Chris
Business Analyst, Code Monkey, Data Wrangler.
SAS Guru.
I always find that the hardest thing to do is START writing a program. The first stage is when you amend existing programs to get them to do what you want.
The second stages of programming is when you can start with a completely blank page, possibly the most frightening thing when you're a beginner.
If you are at a company where there is an existing stock of SAS programs available to you, I'd recommend working through them and working out what they are doing and how.
Re-writing those same programs is another good method.
When I first started programming in SAS, I did the simple training course on line, and was then basically thrown work by the guys around me, all experienced SAS programmers. These guys would then walk me through the code I'd written, explain better ways to do it, or why certain things don't work, best practices etc. That worked really well for me. If you can find yourself a SAS programmer in your office that is willing to help you out, then this I think is the best way.
Chris
Business Analyst, Code Monkey, Data Wrangler.
SAS Guru.
- Thread starter
- #7
Yeah...reading and applying are completely two different things. The place where I work at, they don't have any existing SAS programs...I mean, they don't have any existing SAS programs that is authorized for me to see. So, I was just planning on going through the posts here and trying to solve the problems people posts on here.
I don't have any SAS programmers here is that is willing enough to go through anything with me. I am pretty much on my own. And this forum. Thanks again for all the help!
I don't have any SAS programmers here is that is willing enough to go through anything with me. I am pretty much on my own. And this forum. Thanks again for all the help!
bryanbayfield
Technical User
You need to get your hands dirty, it's a painful process, but you'll feel so much better for it at the end.
If your current job isn't offering you the opportunities, then you might need to look elsewhere.
Actually doing it is the best way to learn.
I spent 3 and a half years in a job then didn't offer me much chance to get my hands dirty with SAS, and I was low on confidence. I get a contract, and learn more about SAS in 1 week than I did in the previous 3.5 years.
Try to get along to a conference, and make some contacts. What industry are you in?
You can read books all day but it won't do it for you.
If your current job isn't offering you the opportunities, then you might need to look elsewhere.
Actually doing it is the best way to learn.
I spent 3 and a half years in a job then didn't offer me much chance to get my hands dirty with SAS, and I was low on confidence. I get a contract, and learn more about SAS in 1 week than I did in the previous 3.5 years.
Try to get along to a conference, and make some contacts. What industry are you in?
You can read books all day but it won't do it for you.
- Thread starter
- #9
I work for the government. The stuff I do are really old stuff. I make data entry screens using FSedit. I do that for every new project. And it just repeats itself except for different formats with different projects. Recently, they got really busy and asked me for some help with some basic and simple analysis. And that is when I realized how bad I am with SAS. The last time I have read a SAS book was almost 2 years ago. I think reading the books again will help me. But applying them is the hard part. If I find a job like yours, where you learn stuff in 1 week instead of 3 years, I probably will get fired the next day. I am a slow learner. I think I should start with forum. No stress and I get answers. And about the conference, I don't think I am allowed to go to any. And I don't know any that is open for public. But would be nice just to attend one and see what it is like. Thanks again for the information and help. I really appreciate them!
Hi cosmid,
There are SAS Usergroups organised by SAS all over the world that are free to attend. I think most major cities will have one.
They're supported by SAS and listed on their website, it's worth checking out.
If nothing else, it's a good place to network with other SAS programmers and find out about other "opportunities" that are around
If you have any "how to" type questions, feel free to post then here, and we can give you general guidance rather than specific answers, which will help you learn how to do it yourself.
Chris
Business Analyst, Code Monkey, Data Wrangler.
SAS Guru.
There are SAS Usergroups organised by SAS all over the world that are free to attend. I think most major cities will have one.
They're supported by SAS and listed on their website, it's worth checking out.
If nothing else, it's a good place to network with other SAS programmers and find out about other "opportunities" that are around
If you have any "how to" type questions, feel free to post then here, and we can give you general guidance rather than specific answers, which will help you learn how to do it yourself.
Chris
Business Analyst, Code Monkey, Data Wrangler.
SAS Guru.
- Thread starter
- #11
Ahh...can't believe I never checked SAS website. I guess I didn't expect any free conferences and that's why I didn't check. The closest major city around me is probably D.C. but I'll definitly will try to attend one. Maybe I will see one of you guys there?
And after you give the general guidance and we still can't figure out the answer, you will give more specific help right?
Chris, when are you going to write some SAS books? I am sure they will be one of the best SAS books.
And after you give the general guidance and we still can't figure out the answer, you will give more specific help right?
Chris, when are you going to write some SAS books? I am sure they will be one of the best SAS books.
Yeah, we'll give out specific help as it's needed.
Unfortunately writing a book requires some kind of dedication and commitment, two things I'm kind of lacking
I actually enjoy posting on this site, it gets me thinking in the morning, and throws up new problems I've never tried to solve before.
Writing a book would probably not be fun.
Added to that my computer games addiction (Team Fortress 2 has eaten my life) and the fact that my first born child is due anytime now, I somehow doubt I'll be able to gather the time together.
Chris
Business Analyst, Code Monkey, Data Wrangler.
SAS Guru.
Unfortunately writing a book requires some kind of dedication and commitment, two things I'm kind of lacking
I actually enjoy posting on this site, it gets me thinking in the morning, and throws up new problems I've never tried to solve before.
Writing a book would probably not be fun.
Added to that my computer games addiction (Team Fortress 2 has eaten my life) and the fact that my first born child is due anytime now, I somehow doubt I'll be able to gather the time together.
Chris
Business Analyst, Code Monkey, Data Wrangler.
SAS Guru.
- Thread starter
- #13
Good thing you didn't play World of Warcraft...I'm glad I quit that game. I only play Starcraft now...don't ever want to touch another MMORPG game until I retire.
Congratulations on the birth of your new child! Enjoy all the sleep you can get now...becuase you'll be sleeping while watching TV, eating, driving, walking, working, playing Team Fortress, answering SAS questions, and ... nevermind, you don't have to worry about that for awhile. Boy or girl?
Congratz again on becoming a father!!!
Congratulations on the birth of your new child! Enjoy all the sleep you can get now...becuase you'll be sleeping while watching TV, eating, driving, walking, working, playing Team Fortress, answering SAS questions, and ... nevermind, you don't have to worry about that for awhile. Boy or girl?
Congratz again on becoming a father!!!
I did actually get into Guild Wars for a while, but I started getting bored of it once I hit level 20. The amount of effort required to improve anything beyond that became less fun.
Then TF2 arrived.
Thanks. No idea what we're having yet. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for human.
Chris
Business Analyst, Code Monkey, Data Wrangler.
SAS Guru.
Then TF2 arrived.
Thanks. No idea what we're having yet. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for human.
Chris
Business Analyst, Code Monkey, Data Wrangler.
SAS Guru.
- Thread starter
- #15
Guild Wars is a very nice MMORPG game. I thought once you hit level 20 you get to explore all other classes and expand your skills. Plus, there are no monthly charges. I almost started it. If I did, I would probably still be jobless. I have like 0 self control.
hehe...you'll get a human for sure. And as smart as you. Once you find out, don't forget to let us know
hehe...you'll get a human for sure. And as smart as you. Once you find out, don't forget to let us know
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