Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/sas-macro-language
As a SAS programmer, you know the power of SAS for data manipulation and analysis. But are you leveraging its full potential? If you’re looking to streamline your workflows, reduce repetitive coding, and create more dynamic and robust SAS programs, then the ‘SAS Macro Language’ course on Coursera is an absolute must-take.
This course dives deep into the advanced techniques within the DATA step and procedures, focusing on the indispensable SAS Macro Facility. It’s designed to transform how you write and execute SAS code. Throughout the modules, you’ll gain practical skills that directly address common programming challenges.
The learning objectives are clear and impactful: you’ll master performing text substitution in SAS code, effectively use macro variables and functions, and learn to automate and customize the production of SAS code. Perhaps most excitingly, the course empowers you to conditionally or iteratively construct SAS code, leading to the creation of self-modifying, data-driven programs.
The syllabus is thoughtfully structured, starting with an introduction to the macro facility and its benefits. You’ll then explore how SAS processes code behind the scenes, a crucial understanding for mastering macro programming. The course delves into storing and processing text, teaching you to use macro functions for text manipulation and to create macro variables from your data using both PROC SQL and the DATA step. Indirect referencing is also covered, adding another layer of dynamic control.
A significant portion of the course is dedicated to working with macro programs. You’ll learn to write and call macros, understand macro variable scope, and implement conditional logic (IF/THEN statements) and iterative processing (DO loops) within your macros. The final modules focus on developing sophisticated macro applications, including storing and retrieving macros for session-wide availability, building data-driven applications, and incorporating essential safety precautions and documentation for self-correcting or user-friendly programs.
The ‘Case Study (Honors)’ provides a fantastic opportunity to apply everything you’ve learned to a real-world business problem, solidifying your understanding. The included Certification Practice Exam is also invaluable for gauging your readiness.
**Recommendation:** If you’re serious about advancing your SAS programming skills and boosting your productivity, this Coursera course is highly recommended. It provides a comprehensive and practical education in SAS Macro Language that will pay dividends in your daily work.
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/sas-macro-language