SAS Macro Programming Made Easy, Second Edition

'Why does SAS use January 1, 1960, as its arbitrary reference date? How do you convert a value such as 27 January, 2003, into SAS dates? You'll find the answers to these questions and much more in this compact reference that makes it easy to understand how to use and manipulate dates, times, and datetimes in SAS. Novice-to-intermediate users will find the clear, task-focused examples and explanations of formats and functions invaluable; experienced users will appreciate discussions of topics such as intervals and international date and time formats. Included is a bonus''Quick Reference Guide''listing all the formats (with examples) on one handy page.' This book provides beginners with a thorough foundation in SAS macro programming. The macro facility is a popular part of SAS. Macro programming is a required skill for many SAS programming jobs, and the SAS Advanced Programming Certification Exam tests macro processing concepts. Whether you're looking to become certified, land a job, or increase your skills, you'll benefit from SAS Macro Programming Made Easy, Third Edition. By following Michele Burlew's examples and step-by-step instructions, you'll be able to rapidly perform repetitive programming tasks, to pass information between programming steps more easily, and to make your programming easier to read. Updated for SAS 9.4, this book teaches you the elements of the macro facility (macro variables, macro programs, macro language), how to write a macro program, techniques for macro programming, tips on using the macro facility, how the macro facility fits into SAS, and about the interfaces between the macro facility and other components of SAS. Beginning macro programmers will learn to write SAS macro programs quickly and efficiently. More experienced programmers will find this book useful to refresh their conceptual knowledge and expand on their macro programming skills. Ultimately, any user interested in automating their programs including analysts, programmers, and report writers will find Michele Burlew's book an excellent tutorial. This book is part of the SAS Press program." Why does SAS use January 1, 1960, as its arbitrary reference date? How do you convert a value such as 27 January, 2003, into SAS dates? You?ll find the answers to these questions and much more in this compact reference that makes it easy to understand how to use and manipulate dates, times, and datetimes in SAS. Novice-to-intermediate users will find the clear, task-focused examples and explanations of formats and functions invaluable; experienced users will appreciate discussions of topics such as intervals and international date and time formats. Included is a bonus "Quick Reference Guide" listing all the formats (with examples) on one handy page. In this easy-to-follow book, Michele Burlew puts her decades of macro programming experience to work for you as she guides you through the basics, as well as the more complex features of the SAS macro facility