Advantages of SAS | Disadvantages of SAS Programming
In our previous SAS Tutorial, we saw features of SAS Programming. Today, we will discuss the advantages of SAS & disadvantages of SAS Programming and also revise the concept of SAS Programming Language in brief. These pros and cons of SAS will clear your doubts regarding its usage.
So, let’s proceed to the pros and cons of SAS.
Keeping you updated with latest technology trends, Join DataFlair on Telegram
What is SAS Programming Language?
SAS Programming is a language used for analytical use. It is used for a very long time. All major companies use SAS as their official language for analysis. It’s due to its features and edge points that SAS is a very preferred tool. It has a huge job market too. There are many reasons for which SAS is preferred over R programming language and Python. But it is also true that there are some limitations of SAS that are overcome by R and Python.
Advantages and Disadvantages of SAS
Below we will discuss the benefits of learning SAS Softwares and limitations of SAS in detail.
a. Advantages of SAS
Here are some of the advantages of SAS Programming Language:
1. Easy to learn
SAS syntax is very easy to learn. It can be learned easily by anyone without any programming skills. Coding is in the form of simple statements. It’s like instructing a machine what to do.
2. Ability to handle large database
SAS has a strong ability to handle large database very easily.
3. Easy to debug
SAS is a very comprehensible language. The process of debugging is easy. We can understand and correct the error that the log window clearly states.
4. Tested algorithms
Developers thoroughly test and analyze the algorithm implemented in the SAS program. Every version of SAS is first tested in a controlled environment, before released. This is possible because SAS is a closed source language.
5. SAS Customer support
SAS belonging to an organization performs proper monitoring. It is like a complete organization. It has very spontaneous customer support. As SAS is a closed source tool, it can only be edited by the SAS organization. No external adulteration is possible. SAS customer support handles all the problems.
6. Data Security
Extending the above point, data in SAS is completely secured. We cannot extract, in case of office use without a license. Data security prevents it from manipulation. And this is the reason for its popularity in the corporate world. SAS is a primary tool for many big companies. Being a close source, the company’s data is confidential here. Only freelancers use R. It is open source, therefore, data security is not guaranteed. SAS is preferred professionally over any other language used for analysis.
7. SAS GUI
SAS is one such language that has made statistical computing easier for non-programming users. It has an amazing Graphical User Interface (GUI). SAS user interface has various tools like graphs, plots, and a highly versatile library.
8. Nice Output
SAS has evolved over a long period of time. It has a nice formatted output, one which is easily comprehensible.
9. Huge Job Prospects
The fact why SAS is being used for a very long time in the industry is the huge job prospects. Professionals learn SAS as a prerequisite to enter the analytics industry. One who commands SAS can learn R and Python easily. It is the market leader in the analytics industry.
Make a career in SAS technology – Explore SAS Careers Opportunities
b. Disadvantages of SAS
Below are some of the major limitations of SAS Programming:
One major disadvantage of SAS is the cost. Being in a closed environment, it is complete software in itself. A person cannot use its all applications without a proper license.
2. SAS is not open source
R has always implemented a new algorithm related to machine learning more quickly than SAS. The main reason is that anyone can operate R as it is open source, but this not true for SAS. SAS works in a closed environment. So, the algorithms that are in SAS procedures are not for the common use of the public. They are available in the licensed version. They are not available openly for public research.
3. Lack of graphic representation
R has a greater availability for advanced graphics. Its graphics presentation is far more vivid and compatible than SAS. It has more descriptive plots, graphs, and diagrams.
Learn about different types of Scatter Plots in SAS.
4. Difficult Text Mining
Text mining is free in R, but in SAS, it uses SAS enterprise. Text mining means extracting information from text. It’s like deciphering a written code. It tells you what the written text can infer in terms of decision making. It is the process in which text converts to data for decision making and analysis.
5. Difficult than R
SAS is more of a procedural language in comparison to R. It has more lines of codes than R. We can more quickly apply new innovations like statistical learning and machine learning in R than in SAS. Many packages that are free in R are chargeable in SAS. For example – Time series forecasting (SAS/ETS), Text mining, etc.
So, this was all about SAS Advantages and Disadvantages. Hope you like our explanation.
Hence, in this SAS Tutorial, we study the advantages of SAS and Disadvantages of SAS Programming. In the Field of analytics, SAS is one of the popular languages. It has a major job market. SAS is more secure than any other language and a close source language. Developers test algorithms in a protected environment and SAS are always bug-free. It has very helpful customer support.
Furthermore, if you have any query regarding the disadvantages and advantages of SAS, feel free to ask in a comment section.
Test your SAS knowledge from SAS Online Quiz