MCSR

SAS on willow

What are the advantages of SAS on willow over SAS PC version?

Willow Advantages

UM OIT does not currently charge for use of willow.
Large Data: Willow is equipped with many GB of space for SAS data sets, scratch files, and user files.
Long runs: A single batch SAS job may allowed to run for several days at a time on willow.

SAS PC Advantages

SAS is easier to use on a PC; the graphical user interface can be used on PC SAS without consuming the campus bandwidth (and incurring associated performance delays) required for running SAS on willow and displaying its X Windows on the users's desktop.
No need to share: Multiple users may submit calculations on willow at once, potentially leading to contention for limited resources. (Willow has 4 CPUs, and so can support at most 4 SAS batch jobs concurrently.)

How can I access SAS on willow?

The executable program for the latest version of SAS installed on willow can be invoked by typing sas at a willow command prompt. As of September 2009, the latest installed version is 9.2 (sas92). Previous versions are located in /usr/local/bin, and include sas91 and sas82.
You can use the sas command to run a SAS program in batch mode, or to launch an interactive session using X Windows.

How to configure X-win to get x-window?

Enter X-win configuration and select "security", add "willow.olemiss.edu" to x-host list and save. Select "session - willow", proceed as follows:
session name: willow
connect using: rexec
host name: willow.olemiss.edu
command: /usr/openwin/bin/xterm -display your IP address:0.0
Save the above configuration and next time you enter willow you will see a xterm window popping out. You can do SAS in the xterm window.

How to use batch mode on willow?

You will first need to create an input file containing all your SAS program commands. You can either use a Unix editor such as vi or pico to create and edit the input file on willow itself, or if you already have a SAS input file on your desktop, you can use secure shell to transfer the file from your desktop to willow.

"sas <input file name>" to run it. An output file with the same name as input file but a suffix lst will be created. You can see the output in the output file.
For example, you name your input file mySasFile1, then you can say: sas mySasFile1 and by doing so, an output file mySasFile1.lst is created with all the output in the file.

How to work in batch mode by using X-win?

After you enter X-win, willow session, you will have a File Manager (your user name) box open for you. Click on File in File Manager and choose "open terminal", you will be able to open a willow terminal. If you want more terminals, just click on Window in Terminal and choose "new terminal".
Under prompt of Willow, you can start writing your input file, name and save it, then use command "sas <input file name>" to get the output file, just like you would do on willow using batch mode. Double click the output file's name in File Manager box you will see the output. On how to start using X-win, please refer to the following MCSR webpage on X-win.

How to work in interactive mode by using X-win?

Just type "sas" under willow terminal and several SAS windows will pop out: SAS: Explorer; SAS: Program Editor; SAS: Log; SAS: Output as well as a Toolbox: Explorer. You can write your commands in SAS: Program Editor. It would be the best if you can write different commands on a separate line. After you finish inputting the commands, just submit your input and you will see all the output in SAS: Output. One thing wise to do: Save your input file and give it a certain name before you submit it to run. So that you can make modifications to it if the input file does not work properly.

How to get your own copy of SAS PC version?

Employees wanting to load SAS on their University-owned Windows PC have their department can purchase a one-year license at the UM Faculty Technology Development Center for $200, which will be good through Summer 2010. Next year, the yearly price will go up to $300.

A limited number of free SAS installations on student-owned computers are available each year: students should route these requests through their advisors, who should e-mail assist@olemiss.edu.

What should I do if I want to use data on external disk instead of typing them into the input file?

By WS_FTP, you can transfer data file from external disk to your account on willow. Use command "infile 'path of the data file'" instead of "cards", which is used to supply data by typing into the input file.

Some examples using SAS in batch mode.

You can find some examples using SAS in batch mode under directory:
/users/local/appl/examples/sas

How do I run proc IML with sas9.1?

To run proc IML using sas9.1, users should use the default environment:
setenv LD_LIBRARY_PATH /usr/local/lib
If a user simply does not set their environment in the (.cshrc, etc.) they get the default environment.

Whom can I contact at UM with SAS questions?

You can send e-mail to assist@olemiss.edu.
Please note: we can help users get started using the package, but cannot provide specific help with homework or with any work done for credit.