S

SAS AWS

See application workspace (AWS).

SAS catalog

a SAS file that stores many different kinds of information in smaller units called catalog entries. A single SAS catalog can contain several different types of catalog entries. See also SAS catalog entry.

SAS catalog entry

a separate storage unit within a SAS catalog. Each entry has an entry type that identifies its purpose to SAS. Some catalog entries contain system information such as key definitions. Other catalog entries contain application information such as window definitions, Help windows , SAS formats and informats, macros, or graphics output. See also entry type.

SAS console log

a file that contains information, warning, and error messages if the SAS log is not active. The SAS console log is normally used only for fatal system initialization errors or for late-termination messages. See also SAS log.

SAS file

a specially structured file that is created, organized, and, optionally , maintained by SAS. A SAS file can be a SAS data set, a catalog, a stored program, an access descriptor, a utility file, a multidimensional database file, a financial database file, a data mining database file, or an item store file.

SAS initialization

the process of setting global characteristics that must be in effect in order for a SAS session to begin. SAS performs initialization by setting certain SAS system options called initialization options. SAS initialization happens automatically when you invoke SAS. See also SAS invocation.

SAS invocation

the process of starting up SAS software by executing the SAS command. Invoking SAS starts the SAS initialization process. See also SAS initialization.

SAS log

a file that contains a record of the SAS statements that you enter as well as messages about the execution of your program.

SAS name

a name that is assigned to items such as SAS variables and SAS data sets. The first character must be a letter or an underscore . Subsequent characters can be letters , numbers , or underscores. Blanks and special characters (except the underscore) are not allowed. The maximum length of a SAS name depends on the language element that it is assigned to. Many SAS names, such as names of DATA step variables and array names , can be 32 characters long. Others, such as librefs and filerefs , have a maximum length of 8 characters.

SAS system option

an option that affects the processing of an entire SAS program or interactive SAS session from the time the option is specified until it is changed. Examples of items that are controlled by SAS system options include the appearance of SAS output, the handling of some files that are used by SAS, the use of system variables, the processing of observations in SAS data sets, features of SAS initialization, and the way SAS interacts with your host operating environment.

SAS windowing environment

a graphical user interface for SAS software, through which you can perform many different tasks , including preparing and submitting programs, viewing and printing results, and debugging and resubmitting programs. See also graphical user interface (GUI).

Sashelp library

a SAS data library supplied by SAS software that stores the text for Help windows, default function-key definitions and window definitions, and menus .

sasroot

a term that represents the name of the directory or folder in which SAS is installed at your site or on your computer.

Sasuser library

a default, permanent SAS data library that is created at the beginning of your first SAS session. The Sasuser library contains a Profile catalog that stores the customized features or settings that you specify for SAS. You can also store other SAS files in this library.

Sasuser.Profile catalog

a SAS catalog in which SAS stores information about attributes of your SAS windowing environment. For example, this catalog contains function-key definitions, fonts for graphics applications, window attributes, and other information that is used by interactive SAS procedures. See also SAS catalog.

Secure Socket Layer

a protocol that was developed by Netscape for transmitting private documents across the Internet. SSL uses a private key to encrypt data that is transmitted between a Web browser and a server.

sequential access

a method of file access in which the records are read or written one after the other from the beginning of the file to the end.

serial port

an I/O port (usually employing an RS-232 interface) through which data are transmitted one bit at a time. Most plotters and some laser printers are connected to the host computer via a serial port.

server

a computer system that provides data or services to multiple users on a network. The term 'server' sometimes refers to the computer system's hardware and software, but it often refers only to the software that provides the data or services. In a network, users might log on to a file server (to store and retrieve data files), a print server (to use centrally located printers), or a database server (to query or update databases). In a client/server implementation, a server is a program that waits for and fulfills requests from client programs for data or services. The client programs might be running on the same computer or on other computers. See also client.

signature line

in the Enhanced Editor, a line of SAS code in which a step keyword (DATA, PROC, or MACRO) appears.

SMP (symmetric multiprocessing)

a hardware and software architecture that can improve the speed of I/O and processing. An SMP machine has multiple CPUs and a thread-enabled operating system. An SMP machine is usually configured with multiple controllers and with multiple disk drives per controller.

standard input

the primary source of data going into a command. Standard input comes from the keyboard unless it is being redirected from a file or piped from another command.

standard output

the primary destination of data coming from a command. Standard output goes to the display unless it is being redirected to a file or piped to another command.

step boundary

a point in a SAS program when SAS recognizes that a DATA step or PROC step is complete.

subclassing

in object-oriented methodology, the process of deriving a new class from an existing class. A new class inherits the characteristics (attributes or instance variables) and operations (methods) of its parent. It can also possess custom attributes (or instance variables) and methods .

swap

to move data or program code from a computer system's main memory to a storage device such as a hard disk, or vice versa.

swapping

See swap.

system menu

under Windows, a pull-down menu that is typically activated by clicking on (or otherwise selecting) an icon in the top left corner of an application window. You can use the system menu to move, resize, minimize, or maximize the window or to close the application. In SAS, you use the SAS system option AWSCONTROL to control whether this menu is available in the main SAS window or not.

system option

See SAS system option.