NOTE: IFC and IFN, the New IF

Have you discovered SAS V9.1's new IF functions yet: IFC and IFN? They don't provide any functionality that you couldn't achieve in V8 (nor V6 nor V5 nor...) but they could make a big change to your SAS coding style.

NOTE: Creating Multi-sheet Microsoft Excel Workbooks

The fourth seminar in SAS's SAS Talks series was held last week. I need to get myself onto the right distribution list because I didn't find out about it until after the event :(

This event was lead by SAS's Vince DelGobbo and focused on providing an introduction to creating multi-sheet Microsoft Excel workbooks with SAS. It's a topic that Vince has presented at various forums before, e.g. PharmaSUG 2007, SUGI 31 and NESUG 09, but still contemporary nonetheless.

NOTE: WHEREUP=

I was introduced to the WHEREUP data set option recently. In counterpoint to a WHERE data set option, WHEREUP allows you to control what records are written out (as opposed to WHERE's control of what's read in). WHEREUP can be set as YES or NO and it specifies whether or not records to be written out must match the WHERE clause.

The WHERE clause always applies to input observations, and the step reads only observations that meet the condition. With WHEREUP=YES, it does not allow the observations to be changed so that they no longer meet the condition. With WHEREUP=NO, it is possible to change data values so that observations no longer meet the WHERE condition.

NOTE: Enterprise Guide Add-Ins

In a recent post on his SASdummy blog, Chris Hemedinger featured some add-ins for Enterprise Guide 4.1 that allow import and export of files from JMP, Stata and SPSS. These were written by Chris (using PROC IMPORT and EXPORT) and are available for download. These add-ins are not supported, but the same functionality will be shipped with EG 4.2 - supported.

Chris's post left me wondering how many other EG add-ins might be available "off the shelf" on the web. Ideally for free!

NOTE: Marimekko - Using PROC GAREABAR in V9

I stumbled across an interesting new style of chart the other day (it was new to me, it may not be new to you). The Marimekko chart shows three levels of data within a simple 2D representation. Indeed, by stacking the bars in the chart, one can achieve four levels of data. I found the chart in a (long) article explaining how to create Marimekko charts in Excel; I was pleasantly surprised to find that SAS has a PROC (since V9) for creating these charts: PROC GAREABAR.

Rob Allison shows a good example of usage of these charts on his web site. Rob takes a USA energy chart that was featured in the Junk Charts blog. The chart is successful in demonstrating the prevailing dependance on oil for transport and coal for electricity. Of course, Stephen Few has thoughts on the strengths and shortcomings of Marimekkos. He offers his thoughts in A Design Problem on his blog. Briefly, he agrees that the chart has merit and can communicate useful messages, but he concludes that the better option is to provide multiple, simpler charts on one canvas. Of course, SAS can do this too, so it's good to see that SAS practitioners can benefit from Stephen's advice.

Two points worth noting are:

1. SAS V9.2 introduced some extra parameters to PROC GAREABAR. This includes the LEGEND option used in Rob Allison's code. To use Rob's code in V9.1, just remove the LEGEND option
2. PROC GAREABAR currently only works with two graphics devices: ACTIVEX and ACTXIMG

PROC GAREABAR offers a new set of opportunities for presenting your data and communicating its messages. I shall be sure to consider using it the next time I find myself doing some data visualisation.

The name Marimekko is derived from a style of clothing design made popular by the Finnish company of the same name.

NOTE: EG The Movie

Happy New Year!

In an earlier posting I mentioned the SAS Talks session on Enterprise Guide scheduled for December 17th. If, like me, you missed it, you can catch-up with the recorded version (and answers to those questions that were not immediately provided during the recording). See Chris Hemedinger's recent post on his SAS Dummy blog.

SAS Talks is SAS's ongoing series of webinars on technical topics. Unfortunately I can't find a "home page" where I can find a) notice of upcoming webinars, and b) previous webinars and their materials all in one place. Is there one?...