Preface (from Fraktal SAS Programming)

The SAS System ("SAS") is an impressive powerful ecosystem of languages, tools and programs leaving the user with all means at hand to work with data and satisfy his curiosity, be it of scientific origin or simply driven by work orders in a top-down ruled organization.

Given the above, it is not surprising that

1. SAS license fees appear high, and
2. the individual trying to start a user career feels pretty lonesome.

Since no one would buy a modern smartphone to simply make phone calls it is likewise un-appropriate to use SAS solely as a

• SQL database system
• basket of tabulation programs
• graphics toolbox
• web publishing agent
• data-warehouse platform
• statistics package
• metadata manager
• source code generator

Indeed, SAS can perform any of these functions, and more, and even worse, a small team of SAS geeks can deliver any combination of them as scenario-tailored application in an awesome short time frame.

Of course, the result will be a dynamic, self-documenting, metadata driven and generic sort of thing.

That’s why SAS starters feel lonesome and hence, matured users have organized themselves in non-commercial networks worldwide, the largest of which is PhUSE, the Pharmaceutical User Software Exchange.

Are you ready?

Welcome to the club!