14 November 2001
Greg Barnes Nelson
(presentations available below)
Emerging Technology:
XML and SAS: a Tutorial
(47k)
One of the goals for SAS® applications developers has been to develop three-tier and n-tier applications where the application logic (business rules) is separate from the data, which, in turn, is isolated from the user interface. In a previous paper (Barnes Nelson, 1999) we discussed how to implement this logic separation using the SAS Component Language. This paper extends that line of thinking by introducing SAS developers to XML. eXtensible Markup Language, or XML, is a protocol of sorts that can be described as a technique for separating data from its presentation. In this paper, we will discuss XML in the context of SAS applications and how it can be used in the preparation and presentation of data. We will explore some of the features of XML that make it a good partner for SAS-based applications.
11.30 - 12.30 Session 2
Applications Development:
Web Development: Best Practices for Developing Enterprise Applications
(449k)
Software development has a rich history that stems from forty plus years of tried and true practices. From structured programming models to object-oriented methods, the student is often left to their own devices to implement code based on a highly creative - and subjective - design process. In this paper, we will explore some of the foundations of our software development methodologies and apply these to web programming for SAS applications. We will present coding techniques, lessons learned from our experiences as architects and experiences proven to be too painful to be ignored. Examples will include reference to HTML, JavaScript, SAS/IntrNet®, JavaServer Pages, XML and ODS.
13.30 - 14.30 Session 3
Language Overview:
Introduction to Java for SAS Programmers
(397k)
Java is one of the hottest programming languages around and promises to be even more exciting as the SAS System migrates away from its proprietary SCL language to the standards-based Java language. Today, SAS programmers can take advantage of Java applications - both client and server-side - for exploiting SAS data and analytic [compute] services. This course is designed for SAS programmers who want to understand how Java can be used in the context of SAS. Participants will learn some of the basics of the Java language and how it relates to OO programming and the Object Model and we will discuss its importance, uses, strengths and weaknesses. Examples will be used that demonstrate client side applications using JavaServer Pages (JSP) and Applets and Servlets will be used to demonstrate server-side methods.This session has been carefully designed with SAS programmers in mind and should provide a framework for further study for those wishing to move on to professional Java programming environments.
15.00 - 16.00 Session 4
Systems Architecture/ Management:
Managing SAS Services: A System Administrator's Guide to Enterprise Applications
(211k)
Enterprise software development activities usually involve robust management and monitoring tools that enable systems to run seamlessly and often without intervention. Over the past 25 years, SAS has evolved into a true enterprise-class suite of solutions. As companies turn to SAS software for solving critical business needs, those that manage these applications require mature tools and techniques to help ensure the stability of these environments.In this section, we will discuss SAS from a systems administration perspective. That is, how can we manage the environment in which SAS operates. Here, we will discuss various methods for managing database, compute and web services in both a Microsoft Windows NT environment as well as UNIX environments. We will focus on how to start and stop services, techniques for monitoring systems and methodologies for how to do this in multi-tier environments. In addition, we will provide some guidance on approaches to managing the development, testing and production environments of large-scale SAS applications.