suresh Difference Between a SAS Function and a SAS Procedure
In SAS programming, the difference between a SAS function and a SAS procedure lies in their functionalities and operations.
SAS Function:
A SAS function is a built-in subroutine that performs a specific task and returns a single value. It is designed to manipulate data values and perform calculations on individual data items. Functions are used within the data step or in data manipulation tasks to transform data values. Common SAS functions include SUM, MEAN, and SUBSTR.
SAS Procedure:
A SAS procedure is a reusable program that executes a series of steps to accomplish a particular task such as data analysis, data management, or reporting. Procedures are written in the form of steps that specify the actions to be performed on the data. Examples of SAS procedures are PROC SORT, PROC MEANS, and PROC PRINT.
In summary, the main difference between a SAS function and a SAS procedure is that a function performs specific calculations on data values and returns a single result, while a procedure executes a series of predefined steps to accomplish a broader task such as data analysis or reporting.
When working with SAS, understanding the distinction between functions and procedures is essential for efficient data manipulation and analysis tasks.
Ensure to utilize appropriate SAS functions and procedures depending on the task at hand to streamline your SAS programming workflow.
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