SAS Output

Five Reasons To Swipe Right on PROC FCMP, the SAS Function Compiler for Building Modular, Maintainable, Readable, Reusable, Flexible, Configurable User-Defined Func

September 23, 2024: 3:00 AM - 4:00 AM

Intermediate & Advanced SAS Skills, Salon A

Authors	Abstract
Troy Martin Hughes	The FCMP procedure (aka, the SAS® function compiler) empowers SAS practitioners to build our own user-defined functions and subroutines—callable software modules that containerize discrete functionality, and which effectively extend the Base SAS programming language. This introduction explores five high-level problem sets that user-defined functions can solve. Learn how to hide a hash object (and its complexity) inside a function, how to manipulate SAS arrays, how to design a format (or informat) that calls a function, how to run a DATA step (or SAS procedure) inside of a DATA step (aka, DPDD), and how to avoid unnecessary usage of the SAS macro language. Interwoven throughout the discussion are the specific software quality characteristics—such as modularity, maintainability, readability, reusability, and configurability—that are achieved through the design and implementation of FCMP user-defined functions. For additional information, context, and examples, please consult that author's 2024 SAS Press book: PROC FCMP User-Defined Functions: An Introduction to the SAS® Function Compiler. (Hughes, 2024)

Troy Martin Hughes

The FCMP procedure (aka, the SAS® function compiler) empowers SAS practitioners to build our own user-defined functions and subroutines—callable software modules that containerize discrete functionality, and which effectively extend the Base SAS programming language. This introduction explores five high-level problem sets that user-defined functions can solve. Learn how to hide a hash object (and its complexity) inside a function, how to manipulate SAS arrays, how to design a format (or informat) that calls a function, how to run a DATA step (or SAS procedure) inside of a DATA step (aka, DPDD), and how to avoid unnecessary usage of the SAS macro language. Interwoven throughout the discussion are the specific software quality characteristics—such as modularity, maintainability, readability, reusability, and configurability—that are achieved through the design and implementation of FCMP user-defined functions. For additional information, context, and examples, please consult that author's 2024 SAS Press book: PROC FCMP User-Defined Functions: An Introduction to the SAS® Function Compiler. (Hughes, 2024)

Paper