S×A×S

S×A×S, also known as SAS, is a programming language and software suite developed by SAS Institute. It is widely used for advanced analytics, business intelligence, data management, and predictive analytics. SAS stands for Statistical Analysis System, reflecting its origins in statistical computing. The language is known for its powerful data manipulation and analysis capabilities, making it a popular choice in various industries, including finance, healthcare, and government.

SAS consists of several components, including Base SAS, SAS/STAT, SAS/GRAPH, SAS/ETS, and SAS/ACCESS. Base SAS provides the core functionality for data management and reporting, while SAS/STAT offers a comprehensive suite of statistical procedures. SAS/GRAPH is used for creating high-quality graphics, SAS/ETS is focused on time series analysis, and SAS/ACCESS enables data access from various sources.

The SAS language is procedural, meaning that users write code to perform specific tasks. It supports a wide range of data types and has extensive built-in functions for data manipulation and analysis. SAS is known for its efficiency in handling large datasets and its ability to perform complex calculations quickly.

SAS also includes a graphical user interface (GUI) called SAS Enterprise Guide, which allows users to perform data analysis without writing code. This makes SAS accessible to users with varying levels of technical expertise.

SAS is available on multiple platforms, including Windows, UNIX, and Linux. It is widely used in both academic and commercial settings, and it has a strong community of users and developers who contribute to its ongoing development and improvement.