SAS Interview Questions and Answers, SAS Interview Questions and Answers Freshers, SAS Interview Questions and Answers, SAS Interview Questions
Before getting on to the SAS interview questions, the student must know that the Hadoop is a continuously varying field which needs the students as well as professionals to upgrade their skills with the new features and knowledge, to get fit for the jobs associated. This post related to SAS Interview Questions and Answers, SAS Interview Questions and Answers Freshers, SAS Interview Questions and Answers, SAS Interview Questions will help you let out find all the solutions that are frequently asked in you upcoming SAS interview
Over thousands of vacancies available for the SAS developers, experts must be acquaintance with all the component of SAS technologies. This is necessary for the students in order to have in-depth knowledge of the subject so that they can have best employment opportunities in the future. Knowing every little detail about SAS is the best approach to solve the problems linked with problem.
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First of all, let us tell you about how the SAS technology is evolving in today’s world and how demanding it is in the upcoming years. In fact, according to one study, most of the companies and businesses have moved to the SAS. Now, you cannot predict how huge the future is going to be for the people experienced in the related technologies.
Hence, if you are looking for boosting up your profile and securing your future, SAS will help you in reaching the zenith of your career. Apart from this, you would also have a lot of opportunities as a fresher.
These questions alone are omnipotent. Read and re-read the questions and their solutions to get accustomed to what you will be asked in the interview. These SAS interview questions and answers will also help you on your way to mastering the skills and will take you to the giant world where worldwide and local businesses, huge or medium, are picking up the best and quality SAS professionals.
This ultimate list of best SAS interview questions will ride you through the quick knowledge of the subject and topics like Trigger Based Replication, Data Provision Options, Relational Reporting. This SAS interview questions and answers can be your next gateway to your next job as a SAS expert.
These are very Basic SAS Interview Questions and Answers for freshers and experienced both.
Q1: Explain SUBSTR function?
A1: SUBSTR Function is used for extracting a string or replacing contents of character value.
Q2: Explain TRANSLATE function?
A2: TRANSLATE Function : Characters which are specified in a string are replaced by the characters specified by us.
Q3: Explain PROC SORT?
A3: PROC SORT sorts SAS data set by variables so that a new data set can be prepared for further use.
Q4: Explain PROC UNIVARIATE?
A4: PROC UNIVARIATE is used for elementary numeric analysis and will examine how data is distributed.
Q5: Explain APPEND procedure?
A5: APPEND means adding at the end so in terms of SAS we can say adding one sas data set to another sas data set.
Q6: Explain BMDP procedure?
A6: For analyzing data BMPD procedure is used.
Q7: Define RUN-Group processing?
A7: RUN-Group processing is used to submit a PROC step using RUN statement without ending the procedure. Interested in a high-paying career in Big Data?
Q8: Explain BY-Group processing?
A8: BY statement is used by BY-Group processing so that it can process data which are indexed, grouped or ordered based on the variables.
Q9: What will CALENDAR procedure do?
A9: CALENDAR procedure will show data in a monthly calendar format from SAS data set.
Q10: What are the functions which are used for Character handling functions?
A10: UPCASE and LOWCASE are the functions which are used for character handling functions.
Q11: What is the use of DIVIDE function?
A11: DIVIDE function is used to return the division result.
Q12: Difference between Informat and Format
A12: Informats read the data while Formats write the data.
Informat – To tell SAS that a number should be read in a particular format.
For example: the informat mmddyy6. tells SAS to read the number 121713 as the date December 17, 2013.
Format – To tell SAS how to print the variables.
Q13: What are the default statistics that PROC MEANS produce?
A13: PROC MEANS produce the “default” statistics of N, MIN, MAX, MEAN and STD DEV.
Q14: Differences between WHERE and IF statement?
A14:
1. WHERE statement can be used in procedures to subset data while IF statement cannot be used in procedures.
2. WHERE can be used as a data set option while IF cannot be used as a data set option.
3. WHERE statement is more efficient than IF statement. It tells SAS not to read all observations from the data set
4. WHERE statement can be used to search for all similar character values that sound alike while IF statement cannot be used.
5. WHERE statement can not be used when reading data using INPUT statement whereas IF statement can be used.
6. Multiple IF statements can be used to execute multiple conditional statements
7. When it is required to use newly created variables, use IF statement as it doesn’t require variables to exist in the READIN data set.
Q15: What is Program Data Vector (PDV)?
A15: PDV is a logical area in the memory.
How PDV is created?
SAS creates a dataset one observation at a time. Input buffer is created at the time of compilation, for holding a record from external file. PDV is created followed by the creation of input buffer. SAS builds dataset in the PDV area of memory.
Q16: What is DATA _NULL_?
A16: The DATA _NULL_ is mainly used to create macro variables. It can also be used to write output without creating a dataset. The idea of “null” here is that we have a data step that actually doesn’t create a data set.
Q17: Difference between NODUP and NODUPKEY Options?
A17: The NODUPKEY option removes duplicate observations where value of a variable listed in BY statement is repeated while NODUP option removes duplicate observations where values in all the variables are repeated (identical observations).
Q18: How to sort in descending order?
A18: Use DESCENDING keyword in PROC SORT code. The example below shows the use of the descending keyword.
PROC SORT DATA=auto;
BY DESCENDING engine ;
RUN ;
Q20: How to convert a numeric variable to a character variable?
A20: You must create a differently-named variable using the PUT function.
The example below shows the use of the PUT function.
charvar=put(numvar, 7.) ;
Q21: Compare SAS with other data analytics tools.
A21: We will compare SAS with the popular alternatives in the market based on the following aspects:
1. Ease of Learning
SAS is easy to learn and provides easy option (PROC SQL) for people who already know SQL. R on the other hand has a very steep learning curve as it is a low level programming language.
2. Data Handling Capabilities
SAS is on par with all leading tools including R & Python when it comes to handling huge amount of data and options for parallel computations.
3. Graphical Capabilities
SAS provides functional graphical capabilities and with a little bit of learning, it is possible to customize on these plots.
4. Advancements in Tool
SAS releases updates in controlled environment, hence they are well tested. R & Python on the other hand, have open contribution and there are chances of errors in latest developments.
5. Job Scenario
Globally, SAS is the market leader in available corporate jobs. In India, SAS controls about 70% of the data analytics market share compared to 15% for R.
Q22: What is the function of output statement in a SAS Program?
A22: You can use the OUTPUT statement to save summary statistics in a SAS data set. This information can then be used to create customized reports or to save historical information about a process.
You can use options in the OUTPUT statement to
1. Specify the statistics to save in the output data set,
2. Specify the name of the output data set, and
3. Compute and save percentiles not automatically computed by the CAPABILITY procedure.
Q23: What is the function of Stop statement in a SAS Program?
A23: Stop statement causes SAS to stop processing the current data step immediately and resume processing statement after the end of current data step.
Q24: What is the difference between using drop = data set option in data statement and set statement?
A24: If you don’t want to process certain variables and you do not want them to appear in the new data set, then specify drop = data set option in the set statement.
Whereas If want to process certain variables and do not want them to appear in the new data set, then specify drop = data set option in the data statement.
Q25: What is the difference between reading data from an external file and reading data from an existing data set?
A25: The main difference is that while reading an existing data set with the SET statement, SAS retains the values of the variables from one observation to the next. Whereas when reading the data from an external file, only the observations are read. The variables will have to re-declared if they need to be used.
Q26: How many data types are there in SAS?
A26: There are two data types in SAS. Character and Numeric. Apart from this, dates are also considered as characters although there are implicit functions to work upon dates.
Q27: Do you know the features of SAS?
A27: SAS is the best platform that you can opt for. Since it is loaded with many benefits, you can enjoy features such as:
Data Access & Management: A user can also use it as DBMS software.
Reporting & Graphics: It can help you in visualizing the analysis in the type of lists, summary and even the graphic reports
Business solution: It offers the business analysis which you can later use as a the business product for different companies to use
Visualization: with this type of tool, it becomes possible to visualize the graphs that range from simple plots till the bar charts and even the complex classification panels.
Analytics: It is also considered to be the leading market leader in analytics for different business products and services.
Q28: What makes SAS stand out to be the best over other data analytics tools?
A28: There are many alternatives for SAS but what makes it unique as compared to others is:
Ease to understand: The concepts included in SAS are extremely easy to learn. Besides, it offers the most convenient option for those who already are aware about the SQL. On the other hand, R comes with a steep learning cover which is considered to be a low level programming language
Data Handling Capacities: it is at par the most leading tool which also includes the R& Python. When it comes to handle the huge data, it is the best platform to choose
Graphical Capacities: it comes with functional graphical capacities and has a limited learning scope. It is possible to customize the plots
Better tool management: It helps in release the updates with regards to the controlled environment. This is the main reason why it is well tested. Whereas if you considered R&Python, it has open contribution and risk of errors in the current development are also high.
Q29: What is RUN-Group processing?
A29: It is more specifically used for process and submitting the PROC step that is used with the RUN statement. It does not end the process at any point of time.
Explain in details about function of Stop statement in a SAS Program
The purpose of Stop statement is to stop the process of the current data on an immediate basis. It also allows resuming the statement of the process once there is an end of the current data step.
Q30: Explain the difference between using drop = data set option in set and data statement?
A30: If you are not willing to process few of the variables and you don’t even wish them to appear in the new set of the data then you must use specify drop = data set option in that particular set of the statement
But if you want to process some of the variables and don’t wish them to be visible in the new data set then you can also mention drop = data set option in that particular set of the statement
Q31: What is BY-Group processing?
A31: This type of term is used to make sure that the data which is process is grouped, indexed or even ordered based depending upon the variables.
Q32: Can you explain the process of CALENDAR?
A32: The prime aim of CALENDAR is to make the data of the calendar on monthly basis be visible in the format of the SAS data set.
Q33: Explain BOR function?
A33: It is a bitwise logical operation and is used for returning bitwise logical OR between two statements.
Q34: What is the difference between do while and do until?
A34: DO WHILE expression is evaluated at the top of the DO loop. If the expression is false the first time it is evaluated, then the DO loop never executes. Whereas DO UNTIL executes at least once.
Q35: How to convert a numeric variable to a character variable?
A35: You must create a differently-named variable using the PUT function.
The example below shows the benefits of the PUT function.
charvar=put(numvar, 7.) ;
SAS Conclusion Interview FAQs
We know the list of SAS Interview Questions and Answers, SAS Interview Questions and Answers Freshers, SAS Interview Questions and Answers, SAS Interview Questions is overwhelming but the advantages of reading all the questions will maximize your potential and help you crack the interview. The surprising fact is that this SAS interview questions and answers post covers all the basic of the SAS technology and you have to check out the FAQs of different components of SAS too.
However, you will be asked with the questions in the interview related to the above mentioned questions. Preparing and understanding all the concept of SAS technology will help you strengthen the other little information around the topic.
After preparing these interview questions, we recommend you to go for a mock interview before facing the real one. You can take the help of your friend or a SAS expert to find the loop holes in your skills and knowledge. Moreover, this will also allow you in practicing and improving the communication skill which plays a vital role in getting placed and grabbing high salaries.
Remember, in the interview, the company or the business or you can say the examiner often checks your basic knowledge of the subject. If your basics is covered and strengthened, you can have the job of your dream. The industry experts understand that if the foundation of the student is already made up, it is easy for the company to educate the employ towards advance skills. If there are no basics, there is no meaning of having learnt the subject.
Therefore, it’s never too late to edge all the basics of any technology. If you think that you’ve not acquired the enough skills, you can join our upcoming batch of SAS Training in Noida. We are one of the best institute for SAS in noida which provide advance learning in the field of SAS Course. We’ve highly qualified professionals working with us and promise top quality education to the students.
We hope that you enjoyed reading SAS Interview Questions and Answers, SAS Interview Questions and Answers Freshers, SAS Interview Questions and Answers, SAS Interview Questions and all the FAQs associated with the interview. Do not forget to revise all the SAS interview questions and answers before going for the SAS interview. In addition to this, if you’ve any doubt or query associated with SAS, you can contact us anytime. We will be happy to help you out at our earliest convenience. At last, we wish you all the best for your upcoming interview on SAS Technology.
