Step-by-Step Programming with Base SAS 9.4, Second Edition, 2nd Edition

Finding Online Help

Accessing SAS Online Help System

To access the SAS online Help, select Help ð SAS Help and Documentation.

Accessing Window Help

You can access help on an individual window in any of the following ways:

• Issue the HELP command from the command line of the window.

• Select the window's help button, if one exists.

• Select the Help icon on the toolbar.

• From the window for which you want help, select Help ð Using This Window.

Using SAS Windowing Environment Command

Types

Overview of SAS Windowing Environment Command Types

There are specific types of SAS windowing environment commands. The type of

commands that you use might depend on the task that you need to complete, or on your

personal preferences. These commands can be in the form of:

• command-line commands

• menu commands

• line commands (in text editing windows)

• keyboard function keys

For information about specific commands that can be issued in the SAS windowing

environment, see “Working with SAS Windows” on page 761. For information about

specific commands that can be used in the SAS text editor, see “Working with Text” on

page 766.

Using Command-Line Commands

Command-line commands can be entered in two places:

• on the command line (if it is turned on)

• in the Command window (if it is available)

If the command line is turned on, then you can place your cursor on the command line

and type commands. You can toggle the command line on or off for a specific window

by selecting Tools ð Options ð Turn Command Line On or Tools ð Options ð Turn

Command Line Off.

758 Chapter 41 • Using the SAS Windowing Environment

The Command window (if it is available in your operating environment) includes a text

area. You can place your cursor in this area and then issue commands.

To execute a command, type the command on the command line and then press the

ENTER key, depending on which operating environment you are using. You can specify

a simple one-word command, multiple commands separated by semicolons, or a

command followed by an option.

For example, if you want to move from the Editor window and open both the Log and

the Output windows, on the command line of the Editor window, specify

log; output

The following display shows log; output entered on a command line:

Figure 41.2 Entering Commands on the Command Line

Next, press ENTER or RETURN to execute both commands. The Log and Output

windows appear. The Output window is the active window because the command to

open this window was executed last.

Using Menus

SAS windowing environment windows can display menus instead of a command line.

You can then make menu selections to do things that you would usually accomplish by

entering commands.

If your operating environment does not default to using drop-down menus, then issue the

PMENU command at a command line to turn on menus for all windows that support

them.

You can point and click menus and menu items with a mouse to make your selections. In

some operating environments, you can also make menu selections by moving your

cursor over the menu items and then pressing ENTER or RETURN. Depending on the

item that you select, one of three things happens:

• a command executes

• a menu appears

• a dialog box appears

In many cases, double-clicking on items and right-clicking on items will cause different

menus to appear. Sometimes you might want to try one or the other when selecting an

item does not give you the expected result.

Using SAS Windowing Environment Command Types 759