Introduction

This blog is for Statistician/SAS programmer who wants to replace data step with SQL for data manipulation.

I have been shy away from writing a public positing in English because my mother language is not English. I may use this blog as my English Writing 101 class, so please correct my English brutally. I will really appreciate it.

Why I use SQL over data step in SAS?

1. It provides me a joy of thinking.

When I use data step, I tend to google a lot to find the similar situation. However, with SQL, I try to solve the problem by thinking a lot. 

2. Data step seems to have been build up its functionality based on user's need. As a result, it is far from being structured. However, SQL is a language for database, which is better structured. 

3. The codes created using SQL tend to be much shorter and more readable than the ones using data step.

4. Someday, your company may decide not to use SAS anymore or you may want a career change to be a data scientist. No problem! You can use SQL in database and even in R. 

Few years ago I happened to get interested in Latin language and found a book  "Getting Started with Latin: Beginning Latin for Homeschoolers and Self-Taught Students of Any Age". To my surprise, I could finish it in a week, even though I studied it only at night with my kindle. This book kept me motivated and make Latin enjoyable to learn. Someone said it uses Suzuki Method. 

I don't know exact what is Suzuki method but I want to copy this method for this blog. Ever post will be short, simple, and full of examples.  

Have fun!

Cahn