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Showing posts from October, 2024

Harnessing the Power of CALL EXECUTE in SAS for Dynamic Code Execution

Harnessing the Power of CALL EXECUTE in SAS for Dynamic Code Execution Harnessing the Power of CALL EXECUTE in SAS for Dynamic Code Execution As SAS programmers, we often encounter situations where we need to execute a certain procedure or set of steps multiple times, typically based on different subsets of data. Manually writing out code for each instance can be time-consuming, but SAS offers a powerful tool to make this process more efficient: CALL EXECUTE . What is CALL EXECUTE? CALL EXECUTE is a SAS routine that allows you to dynamically generate and execute SAS code during a data step’s execution. Instead of hardcoding the logic for every individual case, CALL EXECUTE can generate the code on the fly and execute it as part of the same data step. This technique is invaluable when you have repetitive tasks across different datasets, procedures, or even report generation. Basic Example: Dynamic PROC PRINT Execution Let...

Finding Duplicate Records Across SAS Datasets in an Entire Library

Finding Duplicate Records Across SAS Datasets in an Entire Library Finding Duplicate Records Across SAS Datasets in an Entire Library Author: Sarath Date: October 10, 2024 Introduction In SAS programming, identifying and managing duplicate records within datasets is an essential part of data cleaning and quality control. However, when working with multiple datasets in an entire library, the task of finding duplicates becomes more complex. In this article, we will explore different ways to identify duplicate records in SAS datasets across an entire library using several approaches: PROC SORT , PROC SQL , and DATA STEP . Additionally, we will provide advanced techniques to streamline the process for multiple datasets in a library. Why Identify Duplicates? Duplicate records can cause significant issues in data analysis, leading to inaccurate results, inflated counts, or inco...

Comprehensive Guide to Define.xml Package Generation and QC Process

Comprehensive Guide to Define.xml Package Generation and QC Process Comprehensive Guide to Define.xml Package Generation and QC Process Author: Sarath Date: October 10, 2024 Introduction The Define.xml file, also known as the Case Report Tabulation Data Definition (CRT-DD), is a key component in regulatory submissions for clinical trials. It describes the metadata for the datasets submitted to regulatory agencies such as the FDA and EMA, providing transparency and traceability for clinical trial data. In this post, we’ll explore both the steps involved in generating the Define.xml package and the necessary Quality Control (QC) process to ensure its accuracy and compliance with regulatory requirements. What is Define.xml and Why Is It Important? The Define.xml file serves as the metadata backbone for clinical trial datasets submitted for regulatory review. It describes ...

The Power of RETAIN Statement in SAS Programming: Advantages and Use Cases

The Power of RETAIN Statement in SAS Programming: Advantages and Use Cases The Power of RETAIN Statement in SAS Programming: Advantages and Use Cases Author: Sarath Date: October 10, 2024 Introduction The RETAIN statement in SAS is a powerful tool used to control the behavior of variables across iterations in a data step. Unlike standard SAS variables, which are reset at the beginning of each iteration, RETAIN allows you to preserve the value of a variable from one iteration to the next. In this blog post, we will explore the advantages and use cases of the RETAIN statement in SAS programming, including controlling variable order, and provide practical examples. Advantages of the RETAIN Statement Preserve Values Across Iterations: The primary advantage of using the RETAIN statement is its ability to retain values across data step iterations. This feature...