Anyone using SAS ? [Archive] - Quantnet.org - Financial Engineering Forum

Andy

07-02-2007, 09:23 PM

By the way, while looking into obtain a copy of SAS for personal use, I found this site
http://www1.cuny.edu/resources/site_licenses/index1.html

It says that CUNY students/faculty/staff can obtain copies of the listed software for home use. They have SAS, SPSS, Mathematica and many more. We need to email the Campus coordinator to fill in a form, and get the copy from them. The one at Baruch is Nikki Bermek. I already emailed about the SAS. We'll see how it goes.

http://www1.cuny.edu/resources/site_licenses/coordinators.html

Muting

07-03-2007, 02:21 AM

I have learnt a little about SAS in my undergraduate study. I heard that some hedge funds use the database COMPUSTAT and CRSP, with the help of SAS, to create and test strategies that might make money. I do not know whether Baruch provides COMPUSTAT and CRSP. could anyone tell me?

Yuriy

07-03-2007, 05:31 AM

When I took SAS a while back, we used the book by Cody and Smith (don't remember the name). There are several books on SAS by these authors.

Also, when I used SAS at work, the Internet was my best reference, especially for various options I needed for some of the PROCs.

Andy

07-03-2007, 07:44 AM

woody

07-03-2007, 08:05 AM

Andy, I can lend you a book. I have two copies of that Cody book.

Muting

07-03-2007, 12:10 PM

Thanks guys,
SAS is used by trading desks, hedge funds, and everyone out there. They connect to different financial databases like Compustat, Worldscope, IBES, etc. I'm trying to find out which databases the trading floor at Baruch uses.
Even though there are alternatives out there like R, S-Plus, the places I interviewed with use SAS. That's my motivation to learn this.

Andy, could you please tell me what specific places (i.e. company name) using SAS? I am curious about that. And do you have more detail about what do they do by SAS?
thanks!:)

Christian

07-03-2007, 01:19 PM

Compustat can be accessed through the Baruch database list. Here's (http://zicklin.baruch.cuny.edu/about/campus/newman.html/?searchterm=compustat) the link for those that are interested.

This week I will check to see if we are connected to any other databases at the Subotnick center.

Andy

07-03-2007, 01:27 PM

Thanks for the good news, Christian. This should be added to the Baruch wiki entry (hint...hint)
That link does not link to Baruch Library. This is the database list at Baruch http://newman.baruch.cuny.edu/search/databases.php
I found Compustat, IBES and ton of others (no wonder Baruch Library is one of the best in NYC)

After log in, here is some of the database you can access

* Audit Analytics
* Bureau van Dijk
* COMPUSTAT Global & EMDB
* COMPUSTAT North America
* CRSP
* EVENTUS
* I/B/E/S
* IRRC
* NYSE TAQ
* OptionMetrics
* Thomson Financial

Andy

07-03-2007, 01:44 PM

Andy, could you please tell me what specific places (i.e. company name) using SAS? I am curious about that. And do you have more detail about what do they do by SAS?
thanks!:)
It's not the companies per se but rather the dept/groups you will work with. People use SAS to connect to financial databases to find out earning report, stock price, trends,... i.e data manipulation.
Most of the jobs a MFE graduate ends up will deal with tons of databases and SAS seems to be the industry standard. Then you need to interface it with vba/excel/c++ for the traders to use.

Muting

07-03-2007, 01:47 PM

One thing is whether baruch provides other database. The other is that whether baruch combines different database (different database focuses on different data, so combined database means great convinience). I know NYU provides combined database of COMPUSTAT and CRSP. If we do not provide combined database, it is our work to combine them.

Yuriy

07-03-2007, 07:22 PM

Thanks guys,
SAS is used by trading desks, hedge funds, and everyone out there. They connect to different financial databases like Compustat, Worldscope, IBES, etc. I'm trying to find out which databases the trading floor at Baruch uses.
Even though there are alternatives out there like R, S-Plus, the places I interviewed with use SAS. That's my motivation to learn this.

How nice, maybe I will be able to get into one of those companies :) Looks like my SAS work experience is even greater than C++. Andy, I'll probably ask for your help with the names of those companies after I'm done figuring out things about my PhD :)

Vic_Siqiao

07-05-2007, 03:29 AM

ive never used SAS.im bad at metrics. T_T

Andy

07-05-2007, 04:06 PM

Andy

07-05-2007, 10:13 PM

I know NYU provides combined database of COMPUSTAT and CRSP. If we do not provide combined database, it is our work to combine them.
We have the merged database. Baruch and other universities use WRDS dataset at Wharton (UPenn). They have CRSP/Compustat merged database that matching COMPUSTAT financial data to the CRSP security price data.
Baruch library is one of the most technically advanced libraries in the country. We just don't use it enough to find out what they have :smt102

Vic Chan

07-12-2007, 04:34 PM

Finally got SAS installed and working after a long struggle to find all the required data (1 setup CD, 5 installation CDs, 2 service packs).
Next step is connecting to CompuStat, IBES from SAS/CONNECT. If someone knows good resources, I'd like to know. If I find out by then, I'll post here.

I think you have to know the database name and also is it a db2, oracle, etc. database and you have to makesure that you have access into it. I am not pretty sure.

I recommend to read a book about Proc SQL and Macros if you want to further develop your skills in SAS. By doing Proc SQL, you can connect to database and then create a table by selecting variable columns that you need.

SAS is a powerful tool!!. I think they develop to enhance the tool so you can write any C++, Java Script in it. Great.

rholowczak

07-23-2007, 09:06 AM

Folks:
Many of you at Baruch may know we have access to a service through the Library called "Books 24x7". Two new entries (perhaps of interest to readers of this thread) that just came through are:

SAS For Dummies by Stephen McDaniel and Chris Hemedinger
John Wiley & Sons © 2007 (408 pages)
ISBN: 9780471788324
Combining real-world expertise and a friendly writing style to introduce readers to SAS basics, this guide offers step-by-step instructions and screenshots to show you how to work with analytics, databases, reports, and queries.

SAS 9.1.3 Language Reference: Dictionary, Fifth Edition, Volumes 1-4 by SAS Institute
SAS Publishing © 2006 (1884 pages)
ISBN: 9781599940984
Providing you with a complete selection of reference entries for individual elements of the SAS language in an alphabetized, encyclopedia format, this comprehensive manual will help save you time, effort, and system resources.

Note I have not read nor necessarily endorse these. Just wanted to point out they are available.

Cheers,

Prof. H.

Jonathan

07-23-2007, 10:42 AM

I use SAS at work and had to start programming immediately. I was told to refer to http://support.sas.com/onlinedoc/913/docMainpage.jsp. Eventhough there is much documentation (I rushed it and still took me more than a week), it all comes down to a few "procs" and macro programming, mainly in the "Base SAS" section. Within the Base SAS section, I found the first 4 topics useful as well as the SAS SQL Procdeure User's Guide and the SAS Macro Language reference.

Andy

07-27-2007, 02:09 AM

Got a SAS Little book from Amazon. Seems to be a great one to get started. Will get right on it next week.

maxrum

07-27-2007, 10:55 AM

Got a SAS Little book from Amazon. Seems to be a great one to get started. Will get right on it next week.

Did you get any responce from the Baruch's license coordinator to get a free copy of SAS for home use?

Andy

07-27-2007, 11:40 AM

No, Max
There is no response from that email/person. Prof. H pointed out that the info on that page was dated 2002 and CUNY would drop the license support for those packages soon. You should look for alternatives way to obtain SAS.

Andy

09-27-2007, 08:32 PM

Anyone here used SAS/Access to connect to a remote database server (MS SQL, Oracle, etc) ?
The SAS online documentation is really dense and it's not the best explanation.

kean

09-28-2007, 01:23 AM

You may be interested this:

SASä¸*æ–‡è®ºå› • æŸ¥çœ‹ä¸»é¢˜ - SASè®¤è¯è€ƒè¯•è¾…å¯¼æ•™ç¨‹ (http://www.mysas.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2206)

I am using SAS...PM me.

Andy

09-28-2007, 01:32 AM

Thanks for the link. looks interesting but I don't read Chinese
if you know any active SAS forum, do let me know. Or we can discuss it here :D

kean

09-28-2007, 03:53 AM

Andy,

click on the link, then you will see the SAS Base Programming courseware. Click on the courseware. They are all in English.

Cheers,
K

Thanks for the link. looks interesting but I don't read Chinese
if you know any active SAS forum, do let me know. Or we can discuss it here :D

kean

09-28-2007, 03:58 AM

The link is

SAS Official Base Programming Courseware in English (http://www.mysas.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2206)
Keep the main link because the link to the online courseware may change sometimes.

Please click on the link. You will see the below:

SAS Online Tutorial Click on the link again. They are all in English.

Hope you enjoy it.

Cheers,
K

kean

09-28-2007, 04:08 AM

I think the best way is to join SAS USER GROUP. I am an active member in Australia. I think the USER GROUP in US is bigger. They constantly hold talk and update technical information like enterprise miner and so on.

SAS also has a academic training program for students who use SAS in their research and so on. Please go to SAS website to find out. What they offer is a free base programing course to selected student. However, it is best you nominated by your department. I thin Prof Dan can help. It is free.

Cheers,
K

kapil354

10-01-2007, 09:32 AM

Anyone here used SAS/Access to connect to a remote database server (MS SQL, Oracle, etc) ?
The SAS online documentation is really dense and it's not the best explanation.

You need this -
C:\SAS\CONNECT\SASLINK\TCPUNIX.SCR

Just chk on ur comp. if that is there use the following in sas editor

OPTIONS REMOTE= vtaix;
OPTIONS COMAMID= tcp;
FILENAME RLINK "c:\sas\connect\saslink\tcpunix.scr" ;
SIGNON ;
RUN ;

kean

10-01-2007, 11:07 AM

SAS Connect is a separate license if could still recall..at least SAS 9.1 needs a separate license. 9.13 or later I don't know.

You need this -
C:\SAS\CONNECT\SASLINK\TCPUNIX.SCR

Just chk on ur comp. if that is there use the following in sas editor

OPTIONS REMOTE= vtaix;
OPTIONS COMAMID= tcp;
FILENAME RLINK "c:\sas\connect\saslink\tcpunix.scr" ;
SIGNON ;
RUN ;

Andy

10-02-2007, 01:36 AM

What is SAS/CONNECT software? SAS/CONNECT software establishes connections between networked computers with various operating systems and enables organizations to combine the resources of these machines for maximum benefit. It efficiently distributes computing workloads across different CPUs and provides scalability through parallel processes

The SAS/ACCESS interfaces to your relational database bring together the resources you need for effective information delivery... and lets you put these resources to work in a dynamic, syntax-free environment.

I have SAS 9.1.3 SP4 and besides the BASE, everything else needs a license to work. I'm working on Matlab to see if it's a cheaper alternative. SAS is just too expensive.

kapil354

10-02-2007, 05:22 AM

Yes you need to buy connect.

If you don't use it then, you will have to write code in black box of UNIX.

Andy

10-03-2007, 11:55 PM

In case anyone is interested in how much SAS charges, we were quoted $2600 for the SAS/STAT and $2300 for SAS/ACCESS to ODBC.

The price is for 1 machine, 1 year license. And these are two components that you need to buy assumed that you already have the SAS BASE installed. Renewal fee is about $700 for each component after first year.

Matlab isn't any cheaper. It has ton of separate components and each costs $1000 or more.

kapil354

10-04-2007, 12:25 AM

Hey Andy,

Will you be ok working with the SAS ACCESS. As to do a remote login from your windows you may need Connect. Any gyan on that?

Andy

10-04-2007, 01:01 AM

Hey Andy,

Will you be ok working with the SAS ACCESS. As to do a remote login from your windows you may need Connect. Any gyan on that?
To get SAS to connect to a remote database and pull the data, you need SAS/ACCESS. You use SAS/CONNECT to distribute jobs around networked computers so they can share data and processing power.

the name CONNECT is a bit misleading. It's not used to remotely connect your computer to SAS.

kapil354

10-04-2007, 12:29 PM

Kool Andy, thanks a lot for the gyan...

IEOR

07-03-2008, 07:33 PM

Resources to help you learn and use SAS (http://www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/sas/default.htm)

There are good SAS tutorials and other cool stuff about statistical computing.

Sachin

07-04-2008, 02:18 AM

Hi Guys,

For those who want to access Databases without buying SAS Acess/Connect, given below is solution that can be used:

Using shell script you can connect to the DB and get the data you require using isql command...and then the result can be piped to a simple SAS code which uses infile..

isql -S ${SERVER} -U ${USERNAME} -P ${PASSWORD} -i $"SQLFILE" -s '|' -D $DATABASE -w 999999 | /d/d1/sas913/sas MEMSIZE 0 ${SASCODE} -log ${log_dir} -print ${log_dir}

This way you can get the required data in sas datasets.