PROC SQL by Example: Using SQL within SAS

In PROC SQL by Example: Using SQL within SAS, author Howard Schreier illustrates the use of PROC SQL in the context of the SAS DATA step and other SAS procedures (such as SORT, FREQ, MEANS, SUMMARY, APPEND, DATASETS, and TRANSPOSE) whose functionality overlaps and complements that of SQL.

Using a side-by-side approach, this concise reference guide includes many extensively explained examples showing equivalent DATA step and SQL code, enabling SAS users to take advantage of existing SAS skills and knowledge while learning about SQL. Discussions cover the differences between SQL and the DATA step as well as situations where SQL and the DATA step are used together to benefit from the strengths of each.

Topics addressed include working with joins and merges; using subqueries; understanding set operators; using the Macro Facility with PROC SQL; maintaining tables; working with views; using PROC SQL as a report generator; and more.

This text is ideal for SAS programmers seeking to add PROC SQL to their SAS toolkits as well as SQL programmers striving to better integrate the SAS DATA step and SQL.

Customer Reviews:

The best SAS SQL

By I Teach Typing - December 23, 2008

SAS has 3 books out on SQL (this and Proc SQL: Beyond the Basics Using SAS or The Essential PROC SQL Handbook for SAS Users). This one is the most advanced and I think the most useful. I like it the best because it covers a wide range of SQL applications, from the basics, like picking one variable from one table of data, out to very advanced topics like nested sub-queries. The writing is clear and the examples are plentiful.

If you know SQL and need to see how it is implemented in SAS get this one.

This book should be understandable to someone who has no SQL experience but one of the other two would probably be a good idea (as well as this one).

So-So

By Mike - September 17, 2010

I used this book to learn how to merge databases in SAS. In my opinion you are better off saving your money and refering to one of the free online training manuals for proc sql. I didn't really realize an incremental benefit from purchasing this book.