SAS 9.4

Guide to SAS Grid 9.4 and SAS Enterprise Guide 7.15

Transition from SAS Grid 9.3 to 9.4:

• Given this is the first upgrade/change to the SAS Grid in quite some time, there are numerous code enhancements and changes. Paths have changed from the SAS 9.3 environment to the SAS 9.4 environment.

• In the SAS 9.3 environment, folders could be accessed by either using /sas_data/ or /sas/sasusers/ but in the SAS 9.4 environment folders can now be accessed by /appdata..

• In the SAS 9.3 Grid, performance was reduced to increase stability. However, with SAS 9.4 we expect a removal of such constraints on performance and expect an improvement in time to execute jobs.

• Partitions by business lines will limit all groups being impacted by low disk space – managed by business line. Each partition gets the same amount of space that they had on the 9.3 grid plus 40% more for their initial amount of space on the new 9.4 grid. When space starts to become limited for each partition clients should look to clean up their allotted space.

• Due to instabilities, the SAS 9.3 Grid did not have planned maintenance windows to avoid changes that could further affect the Grid availability. With a new SAS 9.4 Grid, the expectation is to have, when required, patching performed at the OS level as well as at the application level. This will lead to planned and advertised service outages.

Key features of SAS Grid 9.4:

GRID 9.4: What has changed?

• For IT departments, SAS 9.4 provides a simplified architecture, increased security (including enhanced encryption algorithms), and deployment options that include running SAS on premises or on a cloud infrastructure.

• For SAS administrators, SAS 9.4 provides a broad suite of management capabilities that support management tasks, auditing, and software deployment and upgrades.

• For data administrators, the integration of the DataFlux products creates a more complete data management solution. Also, additional programming languages enable you to manipulate your data and access relational data from various data sources.

• For SAS programmers, high-performance analytics enable you to quickly analyze large amounts of data. Multi-threading capabilities enable you to perform analyses on single-machine deployments.

• For the business user, SAS 9.4 extends the options for mobile access and self-service options for data access, reporting, and exploration

Transition from SAS EG 5.1 to 7.15:

There are several differences between the old versions of SAS EG and the new 7.15 version.

• SAS EG 7.15 has a new Program history and new project search.

• One can run SAS Studio tasks in SAS Enterprise Guide 7.15

• One can now upload to LASR/CAS task

• There is a New Log and Project Log Summary Window

• Smart highlighting is available in the Program Editor

• There are now new naming options

• One can now copy and paste process flows.

• Integration with SAS VA can occur.

• There is now additional support for importing JMP, Stata, and SPSS

Key features of SAS EG 7.15:

• Integration with SAS Viya. SAS Enterprise Guide enables you to run Viya tasks from SAS Studio. You can also submit Cloud Analytic Services (CAS) code.

• Integration with SAS Visual Analytics 7.4.

• A new option that enables you to create accessible PDF files.

• The ability to open script files in the text editor.

• Support for project log operations (such as clear, export, and send via email) using automation.

Links for further information:

• Changes to the Reference Paths in SAS 9.3 VS SAS 9.4

• SAS 9.4 and Enterprise Guide 7.15: What a difference a version makes!