Customer Reviews

SAS Learning Edition 4.1: With the Little SAS Book for Enterprise Guide 4.1

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

SAS is a powerful product. As someone pointed out in the review for the earlier edition, SAS Programmers are in huge demand because SAS is required by the FDA for all pharmaceutical companies in order to bring drugs to market. It is used by 98 of the Fortune 100 companies. And it is the defacto standard for the financial industry with the anti-money laundering laws.

The flipside is that SAS is not intuitive -- you can't just read a book and learn it without actually having it in front of you and the classes are expensive (although their online training is quite reasonable). If you don't have access to SAS you aren't going to be able to learn it effectively. It isn't like Java or C where you can just go out and get a free compiler and play around with it on your own. I work for a bank where we use SAS exclusively for IT Data analysis. I need to be able to learn SAS quickly and for me, that means learning at home in my infinite gravity chair.

True, it expires in a bit less than 2 years. However, this is intended to be a learning tool -- not a business tool. And even business versions of SAS must be renewed every year -- you don't renew, the software is useless. That is the SAS business model and it has been very effective for them -- just as the MS Windows license scheme is designed to maximize the market share and profitability of that company.

My only complaint is that I wish that SAS would come out with an "intermediate" version for home users -- something that could handle more data and contained all of the procedures of Base SAS. But then SAS would face having others try to abuse the intent of the product and circumvent their license structure just as some would like to do with the learning edition. I also wish they would come out with a LINUX version.

The next price point is to purchase a "full" license for over $7000.00 which also has to be renewed each year. Yikes!

I was going to purchase the Little SAS Book for EG anyway which is 60 bucks by itself. So in essence, I'm getting the software for 65 bucks. With that pricing, I could buy a new version of the Learning Edition every 2 years (by which point SAS will have updated their software so would want the newer version anyway) and it would be 140 years before the full-fledged license to become cost effective.

SAS and statistics in general are becoming more and more important job skills (ever hear of Six Sigma?) so an entry-level package that gives folks an opportunity to learn how to use both is invaluable for anyone that wants to enhance their marketability -- regardless of what industry you work in.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

UPDATED TO ADD USABILITY REVIEW

I realized I did not speak to the usability of the product which may be of more interest (thanks to the reader for suggesting this).

The SAS Learning Edition 4.1 is an effective learning tool for those who are just starting out with SAS and those who want to become hardcore BASE SAS programmers.

If you are just starting out with SAS and Statistical Analysis, you will want to start with SAS Enterprise Guide (EG) -- a windows-based wizard-like front end for calculating sample statistics, creating graphs, performing ANOVA, regression, and Time-Series Analysis. The advantage to using SAS EG is that you don't have to know a lick of code to actually use SAS. The downside, of course, is that it does not teach you how to actually program in SAS. It is like using the "address book" feature on your cell phone -- you can easily call anyone you have in your adress book. However, if you actually need to recall their phone number, you won't know it because you are relying on the memory of the phone and not your own.

SAS EG is a bit like training wheels. It will get you started. However, once you have mastered the basic analysis tools within SAS, you will want to refine them to be most appropriate with your data. For example, SAS EG relies on a certain set of defaults and often those defaults will be oriented towards the most common user applications which tend to be either social sciences or pharmaceuticals. If you are trying to analyze IT or financial data, you may need to change the defaults in order to make the analyses more appropriate for your goals.

The great thing about SAS EG is that it allows you to view actual SAS code. You can then cut and paste that and start using the SAS Program editor to take your skill sets one step further and learn the nuts and bolts of SAS Programming. Think of the difference between SAS EG and SAS Programming as using Visual C to create a program vs actually starting with C-code and building from scratch. Again, SAS Learning Edition will allow you to make that progression.

This progression will make a significant difference to potential employers if you are looking to enhance your resume by being able to add SAS to your list of skills. Some companies are looking for individuals who can do the basics with SAS EG. However, many employers are going to be looking for individuals who can use both EG AND SAS Programming. If you really want to separate yourself from the pack, you will take the time to learn the actual SAS Programming language. Again, it is like the difference between getting a bachelors degree and a masters. A bachelors implies you know the "what and how" to do something. However, a Masters implies you know how to do the "when" and "why" and how to extend the concepts when they don't fit the basic applications.

Finally, the differences between SAS Learning Edition 4.1 vs 2.1 is that you are getting the most up-to-date version of the software. SAS, like any software program, continues to evolve. While the SAS programming language is pretty stable and is not changing significantly from one year to the next, the SAS EG Interface and Architecture are undergoing constant revision as user feedback is incorporated and as programming technologies continue to evolve. Since SAS Business Licenses are renewed every year, they will tend to upgrade their software version (they want to feel like they get something for their renewal fee.) It isn't like if you don't want Vista, you just don't upgrade and therefore, you don't have to look for people with Vista skills.

Businesses will expect that people they hire have knowledge of the current release because that is what they most likely have -- once again, this is a side effect of the SAS License model. Again, this is another reason why the expiration of the 4.1 LE for 12/2008 is not a significant limitation -- by 12/2008, there will be at least one major release by SAS -- maybe 2 (SAS is planning a major release towards the end of 2007 and based on history, most likely will have another Service Pack or significant point release before the end of 2008)

Hope this helps.

The SAS Institute sells Learning Edition 4.1 for $60 if you have a .edu email address. This is a great price for what you're getting.

There is a way around the "SAS does not support Microsoft Windows Vista" issue by using compatibility mode.

1. Go to the installation directory
2. Find setup.exe
3. Right-click and select Properties
4. Select the Compatibility tab
5. Select Windows XP (Service Pack 2) and click OK
6. Run the installation file
7. Verify system settings
8. SAS will cry-and-scream that it doesn't support Vista. Ignore it and continue with the system requirements test.
9. SAS will install 3 components: .NET 1.1 Framework, Microsoft Runtime Components 7.0, and SAS Private JAVA Runtime Environment. You will have to restart you computer after .NET installs. Repeat Steps 6-8 until all 3 components have installed.
10. Install SAS

If you have any problems, just find the application and repeat Steps 3-5.

It is possible to successfully install SAS Learning Edition 4.1 on the Vista Home Premium (32 bit) operating system.
Edit: this procedure also works for installing the learning Edition on the Windows 7 Home Premium operating system.

This is the procedure that worked for me:
1. Deactivate your Antivirus Software !
2. Open the Program Compatibility Wizard by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking Programs, and then clicking "Use an older program with this version of Windows"
3. Click Next. For the next dialog, you will be asked how you would like to locate the SAS program to install. Select "I want to select the program manually."
4. Click Next. Browse to the "setup.exe" file on the "Setup CD-ROM".
5. Click Next. Choose "Microsoft Windows XP (Service Pack 2)".
6. Click Next and select display setting, if it applies to your system. I skipped this part.
7. Click Next. Check "Run this program as an administrator." Click Next.
8. Now a little window opens with:
1) Verify System Requirements
2) Install SAS Learning Edition 4.1
9. Click on "Verify System Requirements" (it will want to install .NET 1.1 Framework, Microsoft Runtime Components 7.0, and SAS Private JAVA Runtime Environment, with a reboot in between each installation)
10. To log you on between reboots, it now asks you for your Windows logon password
11. After reboot, again deactivate your Antivirus Software !
12. After the first reboot (after it installed .NET 1.1 Framework), open an Windows Explorer window, go to setup.exe (on Setup CD-ROM), right-click on setup.exe, select Properties, Select the Compatibility tab, Select Windows XP (Service Pack 2) and "run as administrator" and click OK.
13. Double click again on setup.exe
14. In the little window that opens again, click again on "Verify System Requirements"
15. In my case, it now just installed SAS Private JAVA Runtime Environment, apparently Microsoft Runtime Components 7.0 were already up-to-date
16. You now get a window with the message "The System Requirements Wizard has updated your system to the minimum system requirements for the selected software."
17. Now click on "2) Install SAS Learning Edition 4.1"
18. It installs is to default location C:\Program Files\SAS\SAS Learning Edition 4.1
If you install to a different directory, you will need this different path later on to register your computer as the local server.
19. It now asks for the next disk, labeled "Software Disk 2". Insert it. Click on OK.
20. It now asks for permission to register .LOG files for use by SAS. Answer Yes.
21. It now asks for permission to register .BLG files for use by SAS. Answer Yes.
22. It now asks for permission to register .SD2 files for use by SAS. Answer Yes.
23. It now asks again for the first disk, labeled "Setup Disk". Insert it. Click on OK.
24. Now window appears with "SAS Learning edition Setup complete. Setup has successfully installed the SAS software"
25. In order for Enterprise Guide 4.1 to work properly, you now you have to make SAS register your computer as the local server.
How to do this?
Open a command window, by:
Start-button -> All Programs -> Accessories
right-click on "Command prompt" and select from drop-down menu "run as administrator"
Now a black window opens, titled "Administrator: Command prompt"
You now have to navigate to the folder where you installed SAS Learning Edition 4.1, for which you use the cd = change directory command
Type in:
cd C:\Program Files\SAS\SAS Learning Edition 4.1
Hit the Return-button
You are now in the directory C:\Program Files\SAS\SAS Learning Edition 4.1
To make SAS register the local server, type in:
sas /regserver
Hit the Return-button
Now close the black Command prompt window
26. Now open SAS Learning Edition either by double-clicking on the short-cut on your desktop or by going via: Start-button -> All Programs -> SAS -> SAS Learning Edition 4.1

The only bug I've observed while running SAS Learning Edition 4.1 on Vista Home is that in some of the windows, text appears twice in a strange shadowing effect.
For example if you want to do a listing:
Describe -> List Data -> Options
then all text next to square selection boxes is there twice.
However, that's just cosmetic, it doesn't affect the functionality of the software.

If you are thinking about learning SAS, this product is one of the most cost-effective ways to go (as of August 2008). You could find someone experienced with the software who has a licensed copy to coach you through the software. However, for many people this Learning Edition is a good way to go.

I have been a SAS user since 1991, on Unix, MVS, and Windows, and the advantage of SAS since version 6 (it is now at version 9.2) is that the language syntax is largely identical on all platforms. The exceptions would be commands which are specific to the operating system. These days, we take language universality as a given, but the innovation was important in the 1980's, and helped SAS build a large corporate customer base.

This product will not teach you everything about SAS, since these days there is a family of desktop and server solutions. However, the instructional book should provide good instruction on how to use Enterprise Guide, the preferred desktop solution for many SAS analysts.

If you want to learn more about SAS, here are some options:
1) Find a friend who uses a licensed copy of SAS to show you some things
2) Find a SAS consultant in your area who will be willing to preview the features. The SAS website lists consultants in many areas.
3) Go to a SAS local users' group, regional conference, or national conference. Many conferences exist, and require the expense you would expect from a business event.
4) Learn SAS online. SAS offers training online.
5) Learn from a SAS-sponsored class. These classes are priced for business users.

Except for solutions 4 and 5, you may be able to achieve admission or help by bartering food or volunteer hours (at the conferences).


Some technical notes on Learning Edition 4.1:
I unfortunately acquired my copy outside the *.EDU program, but I would have qualified for a reduced rate. This installation is for Enterprise Guide 4.1 (learning edition) and proc setinit returns the following results (I have masked my site number):

Original site validation data
Site name: 'The SAS Learning Edition 4.1'.
Site number: ########.
Expiration: 31DEC2011.
Grace Period: 0 days (ending 31DEC2011).
Warning Period: 30 days (ending 30JAN2012).
System birthday: 01JAN1989.
Operating System: WIN .
Product expiration dates:
---Base Product 31DEC2011
---SAS/STAT 31DEC2011
---SAS/GRAPH 31DEC2011
---SAS/ETS 31DEC2011
---SAS/QC 31DEC2011
---SAS Learning Edition 01JAN2012
---SAS Learning Edition - Expanded 16JAN1960

The current SAS position (as of August 2008) is that they are not and will not be releasing a Learning Edition for Vista. I replied to them that I believe it is inevitable that they support some type of learning product on Vista because Microsoft has already announced its intentions to drop support for Windows XP. What SAS does depends on their growth philosophy, and we might see either a Vista version compatible with Enterprise Guide, or alternatively, an online web application where people can learn SAS.

Before 2008, Enterprise Guide (the licensed version) had problems with Vista, but those problems have been solved as of May 2008:
http://blogs.sas.com/sasdummy/index.php?/archives/37-SAS-Enterprise-Guide-Vista-ready!.html

Enterprise Guide is the core technology behind Learning Edition, so the choice for SAS is whether to overcome architectural compatibilities with Vista (as we know the current one is based on .NET 1.1 but Microsoft is already at 3.5 and working on .NET 4.0). Despite the steady lovefest with Linux, Microsoft's platforms will continue to be important, and for SAS to remain competitive for business users, we can expect another learning solution before the Learning Edition 4.1 expires at the end of 2011.

I am graduate student in statistics and bought the learning edition for completing homework assignments at home. I have had several issues:

- it is unsupported on Vista, although you can install in compatibility mode with some difficulty
- even 1st semester assignments require > 1500 data points, so it became unusable very quickly
- it does not support IML

Admittedly, this edition may be designed for people who just want to "get their feet wet" with SAS. It is fine for that purpose. Unfortunately, the full editions are not supported on common home operating systems (Vista, Windows7, WindowsXP home) either, so it's a gamble even if you wish to pay for the full version.

If SAS wants to continue to be the industry standard, I suggest they make it easier for statistics students to have a home copy of their product. Personally, I will be using R.

If you want to learn SAS for school or work, this is an easy way to pick it up and learn it in short order. It is based on SAS Enterprise Guide 4.1 and SAS 9.1.3 (a very recent release of SAS production software.)

The main disadvantage is the license restricts this to learning or educational purposes and there is a limit on how much data can be used in your analysis (educational purposes implies modest amounts of data.)

Otherwise, with SAS at work running to thousands of dollars per seat, this is an affordable way to have and use SAS!

You can program in SAS language or use the point and click interface of Enterprise Guide tasks and wizards. These tasks and wizards make it easy for novices to open, manage, report on, summarize, graph, and analyze data all with a convenient point and click interface (no programming is needed!)

I was a fan of 2.0, but the price of SAS Learning Edition 4.1 is just too high. I do not own this version, and do not plan to, and therefore I have based this review on published features of the product. Look elsewhere if you want to know about practical experience with SAS LE 4.1. On the plus side it comes with the book "The Little SAS Book for Enterprise Guide 4.1," and will process and display the first 1500 observations of your data, as opposed to 1000 with 2.0. On the downside, the license expires on Dec. 31, 2008, as opposed to Dec. 1, 2008 for 2.0, after which time it will apparently not be usable. All this for about twice the price of 2.0. Fine for SAS to provide a learning resource, but if they really want to provide an educational service (rather than being just another part of the problem with education) I think they should make it available at a price that is affordable to learners.

***Note added on 2/16/2008: I see that since the time I wrote this review, the "die date" for version 4.1 has been extended by 3 years to December 31, 2011. I think that's a very good move by SAS, and more in line with the price they've set. It's still a shame that the price increased so much since the previous edition however, especially since the target audience for this product is people who simply want to learn SAS. Many may not be making a lot of money, and are looking at products like this to help them improve their skillset so that they can qualify for jobs requiring basic proficiency in SAS. It seems to me like basic SAS competencies among as many people in the general population as possible would only be good for the company. If I were considering an expensive commercial license, I would certainly want to know that there is a large potential workforce with basic skills.

The increase in list price was a little over 59%, compared to the last version (2.0). SAS LE 4.1 is bundled with "The Little SAS Book for Enterprise Guide 4.1," and if you subtract out the list price of the book and recalculate, the price increase would still be a little over 18%. I understand that SAS needs to make a profit, however it would be really impressive to see them take a greater leadership role in education, and do more than the typical lip-service on the role of societal issues in calculating the bottom line, by making learning editions more affordable and accessible to anyone who wants to learn SAS.

One other thing I noticed in Amazon's description above is that system requirements are Windows 2000 or XP Professional. On SAS' website, they go a little further and state that it is "not supported on any Microsoft Vista Operating System."

This is another attempt by SAS to prevent users from having an easy way to access its software. They decided to make it much harder for students to learn by creating some hosted platform where you can run SAS. This is a big disservice to the community thats learning or teaching SAS.

There are some unethical sellers trying to sell this product for over $900 dollars...please remember the learning edition will expire and you won't be able to use it anymore

Okay, so this program does not know the difference between Vista and Windows 7.

I am running Windows 7, which came pre-loaded on my new laptop. But when I tried to install this software, the installation failed on the grounds that the software thought I was trying to install it on Vista, and "SAS Learning Edition is not supported on Microsoft Vista."
While there ARE anti-Vista warnings everywhere on the software, there was no mention of Windows 7 anywhere. Some sites even list it as "compatible in all Windows environments except Vista." Which clearly isn't the case, because it doesn't like Windows 7!

I ended up having to drag this program kicking and screaming through the Compatibility Wizard to install it. This was no fun.
Worse, during the install it tells me it wants to "register" several file types that are "in use by other programs" and that this "may affect their functionality." I am loathe to find out what that means, but when I do, you can bet I will come back here and tell you all about it.

So SAS, I seriously hope that the software works without a hitch and that learning it actually helps me get a new job-- otherwise, this experience has been full of FAIL. :( You guys really need to make software that runs on operating systems people are actually using nowadays, and not ones from ten years ago.

I bought this item on Amazon and was amazed how misleading information on this item is. It says SAS Learning Edition 4.1 with The Little SAS Book.
In reality there is only Little SAS book and no SAS Learning Edition.
Price for the Little SAS book in the range of $150 is ridiculous.