Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2003 12:08:24 -0500 From: Elizabeth_Axelrod@abtassoc.com Subject: BASUG Quarterly Meeting Announcement - December 4, 2003 The Boston Area SASŪ Users Group Quarterly Meeting December 4, 2003 WHAT: BASUG Quarterly Meeting: "Extending Your SAS Skills with Tried and True Friends" WHEN: Thursday, December 4, 2003, 8:30AM to 12:00PM WHERE: Holiday Inn - Newton (Directions are included below) 399 Grove Street Newton, MA 02462 617-969-5300 INDIVIDUAL, ON-LINE REGISTRATION REQUIRED. NO EMAIL! To register, visit: http://www.basug.org/register.php3 CONTACT: If you have questions about the meeting contact: Ed Mounib: Edgar@Mounib.com Please Note the following: This meeting is appropriate for all levels of SAS. AGENDA: 8:30 - 8:45 - Sign in and Coffee Break 8:45 - 9:00 - Meeting Announcements and Introductions 9:00 - 10:15 - "Comparing SAS Steps and PROC SQL: Coding and Performance" By Robert Rosofsky 10:15 - 10:30 - "Functioning Smoothly" (Coder's Corner) By Bob Virgile 10:30 - 10:50 - Break and Refreshments 10:50 - 12:00 - "%SYSFUNC, How and Where!" By Foster Kerrison ABSTRACTS AND BIOGRAPHIES: 9:00 - 10:15 - "Comparing SAS Steps and PROC SQL: Coding and Performance" By Robert Rosofsky Abstract: Why would you use Structured Query Language (SQL) in your SAS programs? This presentation will provide an introduction to SQL with a side-by-side comparison of SAS steps and PROC SQL code to perform the same operations. It will compare syntax, coding issues, program structure, and pros and cons of both approaches. Information will also be presented on performance (i.e. speed) comparisons between the two. Audience should be familiar with performing subsetting, sorting, printing, combining datasets, match-merging, and summarization (i.e. PROC MEANS/SUMMARY). Biography: To improve patient care and public health through the effective use of information systems, Robert Rosofsky has been developing and implementing health information systems for over two decades in the public sector and recently as an independent consultant. He offers services in project management, systems analysis, SAS data management and statistical programming, as well as in SAS training. 10:15 - 10:30 - "Functioning Smoothly" (Coder's Corner) By Bob Virgile Abstract: SAS functions are wonderful, but can be tricky when you examine the fine details. This presentation illustrates a compact section of code that incorporates tricky aspects of half a dozen functions. Biography: Bob Virgile is an independent SAS trainer and consultant, having developed and taught SAS classes for over 20 years. He formerly composed the problem-solving contests for SUGI and NESUG, and has written two books for SAS Institute. 10:50 - 12:00 - "%SYSFUNC, How and Where!" By Foster Kerrison Abstract: %SYSFUNC is a very powerful and flexible component of the SAS system. This BASUG presentation is designed to teach you how to understand the basic elements of %SYSFUNC, and how to apply it to your daily tasks. %SYSFUNC is a macro function, but you don't need to be a macro guru to use it. %SYSFUNC allows you to undertake a wide range of tasks related to your data by using consistent syntax. Understanding how to use %SYSFUNC is the key to success, and this presentation will teach you how. As a bonus, attendees will get a syntax sheet with the code for a range of %SYSFUNC functions, so that you can get started as soon as you get back to your office. Biography: Foster Kerrison is an independent SAS contractor and information analyst. He has been working with SAS for several years in different industry settings. His initial exposure to SAS was in the direct marketing industry, where he built a direct marketing analysis system, then in the financial services industry, and currently in the healthcare sector. Foster taught himself to program in SAS, and is living proof that anyone can learn SAS. Originally from Ireland, he founded the NH/VT SUG and because he learned much of what he knows at SUG meetings, he is an active SUG participant. DIRECTIONS DRIVING: FROM BOSTON: Take I-90 West to Exit 15, then take Route 128 South (I-95)1/4 mile to Exit 22. When you exit, stay right and bear right at the fork onto Grove Street. Hotel is on your left. FROM SOUTH OF BOSTON: Take Route 128 North (I-95) to Exit 22. When you exit, stay right and bear right at the fork onto Grove Street. Hotel is on your left. FROM WESTERN MASS: Take I-90 East to Exit 14, then take Route 128 South (I-95) 1/4 mile to Exit 22. When you exit, stay right and bear right at the fork onto Grove Street. Hotel is on your left. FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE: Take I-93 South to Route 128 South (I-95), follow for approximately 15 miles to Exit 22. When you exit, stay right and bear right at the fork onto Grove Street. Hotel is on your left. FROM RHODE ISLAND: Take I-95 North to Route 128 North (I-95). Follow to Exit 22. When you exit, stay right and bear right at the fork onto Grove Street. Hotel is on your left. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: The hotel is adjacent to the Riverside T Station. >From Kenmore Square take the Green Line - D (Riverside) to the Riverside stop. Hotel is adjacent to the T Station. The hotel is also accessible from downtown Boston via Express Bus #500 (EXPRESS BUS Riverside - Downtown Via Mass. Turnpike.). See http://www.mbta.com/schedmaps/bus/index.cfm for detailed bus route and schedule. Bus drops off at Riverside T Station. Hotel is adjacent to the T Station. INDIVIDUAL, ON-LINE REGISTRATION REQUIRED. NO EMAIL! To Register visit: http://www.basug.org/register.php3 CONTACT: If you have questions about the meeting contact: Ed Mounib: Edgar@Mounib.com BASUG CONTACTS: BASUG's Mail Address: BASUG PO Box 253 Boston, MA 02117 To email our Webmaster: basugwm@basug.org SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST: Subscribers receive automatic e-mail notification of upcoming meetings, courses, and conferences of interest to local SAS users. To subscribe to the BASUG message list, send a message to majordomo@basug.org, and in the BODY of the message specify: subscribe basugnews To unsubscribe to the BASUG message list, send a message to majordomo@basug.org, and in the BODY of the message specify: unsubscribe basugnews