The core of the SAS System is Base SAS software, which consists of the following:
SAS language | a programming language that you use to manage your data. |
SAS procedures | software tools for data analysis and reporting. |
macro facility | a tool for extending and customizing SAS software programs and for reducing text in your programs. |
DATA step debugger | a programming tool that helps you find logic problems in DATA step programs. |
Output Delivery System ( ODS ) | a system that delivers output in a variety of easy-to-access formats, such as SAS data sets, listing files, or Hypertext Markup Language (HTML). |
SAS windowing environment | an interactive, graphical user interface that enables you to easily run and test your SAS programs. |
This document, along with SAS Language Reference: Dictionary , covers only the SAS language. For a complete guide to Base SAS software functionality, also see these documents: SAS Output Delivery System: User's Guide , SAS National Language Support (NLS): User's Guide , Base SAS Procedures Guide , SAS Metadata LIBNAME Engine User's Guide , SAS XML LIBNAME Engine User's Guide , Base SAS Glossary , SAS Macro Language: Reference , and the Getting Started with SAS online tutorial. The SAS windowing environment is described in the online Help.