SAS Certified Associate: SAS Programming Fundamentals

SAS Certified Associate: Programming Fundamentals Using SAS 9.4. The SAS 9.4 Programming Fundamentals exam will test the candidate’s ability to apply the knowledge necessary to write basic SAS programs to access, explore, prepare, manipulate and analyze data. The exam is based upon foundational knowledge covered in the SAS Programming 1: Essentials and SAS Programming 2: Data Manipulation Techniques courses. This is an entry-level exam designed for the novice programmer who does not have much practical experience programming in SAS.

• Fundamental SAS Concepts

• Recall general rules of DATA and PROC steps
• Recognize general rules of SAS statements including global statements
• Interpret the SAS log
• Distinguish between syntax and logic errors

• Explore SAS Data Sets

• Recall naming conventions used for SAS data sets and variables
• Recognize variable types (character and numeric)
• Explain how to create and manipulate SAS date values
• Recognize how SAS stores missing data
• Use the LIBNAME statement to read SAS data sets
• Use PROC CONTENTS to view the descriptor portion of a data set
• Recall how to use Data Set options: DROP=, KEEP=, RENAME=, OBS=

• Using the DATA Step to Access SAS Data Sets

• Use the DATA statement to create one or multiple data sets
• Use the SET statement to read a data set
• Explain how to combine data sets
• Explain the compilation and execution process of the DATA step
• Subset observations and variables

• Using the DATA Step to Manipulate Data

• Create or update variables
• Recognize SAS Functions
• Perform conditional processing
• Control the output of observations
• Create an accumulating variable
• Explain the function of iterative DO loops
• Assign permanent attributes

• Generate Reports Using PROC Steps

• Use PROC PRINT to generate a detail report
• Use PROC MEANS to generate a summary report
• Use PROC FREQ to generate a frequency report
• Identify methods to enhance reports

• Use Utility Procedures

• Use PROC SORT to sort a report based on values of a variable
• Use PROC FORMAT to define custom formats

• Import and Export non-SAS files

• Use a procedure to transfer a CSV file
• Use the LIBNAME statement to import/export an Excel file with XLSX engine
• Use ODS to direct reports to external files