WUSS 2026 offers a unique training opportunity for early career programmers as well as those who want a better understanding of how SAS works.
What is SAS Essentials?
SAS Essentials starts off with a half-day, fee-waived class followed by specially selected presentations on a variety of topics allowing new (and experienced) programmers to delve deeper into foundational SAS as well as explore the new directions SAS is taking.
Who are the instructors?
The half-day class will be taught by Susan J. Slaughter, SAS expert instructor and author of the popular “The Little SAS Book: A Primer“. Widely used as a textbook, the book, now in its sixth edition, received the coveted Award of Excellence from the Society for Technical Publications International. Other instructors include recognized SAS experts and authors.
Why attend?
- Value: SAS Essentials is an outstanding value. Similar classes offered online are often video taped while live classroom instruction can cost hundreds of dollars and may involve travel. Managers: Don’t miss this excellent opportunity to send your recent hires for the best in fundamental SAS training, taught by the person who “literally wrote the book”.
- Conference Extras: Learn in the context of an exciting conference and enjoy additional conference activities and meals.
SAS Essentials Class Description
SAS Essentials I: How SAS Thinks
This presentation introduces SAS programming at the most basic level. Topics include the structure of SAS data sets, DATA versus PROC steps, the DATA step’s built-in loop, character versus numeric data, SAS date values, and the various ways to run SAS programs and get data into SAS. By the end of this presentation you will have a clear idea of what SAS is and how you can use it.
SAS Essentials II: Introduction to DATA Step Programming
The DATA step is the workhorse of SAS. It has the flexibility of a regular programming language but with SAS’s own unique built-in structure. Topics include assignment statements, functions, conditional logic, and subsetting and combining SAS data sets. This will be a quick overview of the endless ways you can use DATA steps to manipulate your data.
SAS Essentials III: Introduction to SAS Procedures
SAS procedures are the powerhouses of SAS. They are subroutines you can use to perform tasks from the simple to the extremely complex. This presentation will focus on sorting and reporting. Procedures covered include CONTENTS, SORT, PRINT, FREQ, MEANS, and SQL. It’s important for your output to look good and be easy to understand. So we’ll also cover TITLE, LABEL, and FORMAT statements, and how to use the Output Delivery System to choose your file format and overall style.
Additional SAS Essentials Track Selections
| No. | Author(s) | Paper Title (click for abstract) |
| DB-127 | Derek Morgan | The Essentials of SAS Dates and Times |
| DB-129 | Derek Morgan | PROC SORT (then and) NOW |
| DT-105 | Kirk Lafler & Josh Horstman |
The Battle of the Titans (Part II): PROC REPORT versus PROC TABULATE |
| SD-121 | Richann Watson & Louise Hadden |
A Map to Success with Data Visualization Using ODS Statistical Graphics |
| DB-165 | Josh Horstman | Creating and Customizing High-Impact Excel Workbooks from SAS with ODS EXCEL |
| DB-120 | Richann Watson | Take CoMmanD of Your Log: Using CMD to Check Your SAS Program Logs |
| DT-171 | Carleigh Jo Crabtree | How Do I Modify SAS 9 Programs to Run in SAS Viya? |
| OS-113 | Jim Box | Introducing PROC R |
| OS-156 | Ryan Lafler & Miguel Bravo Martinez del Valle |
Enhancing Your SAS Viya Workflows with Python: Integrating Python’s Open-Source Libraries with SAS using PROC PYTHON |
| AI-172 | Carleigh Jo Crabtree | SAS Programming with an AI Assistant |
Meet the SAS Essentials Class Instructor
Reviews for The Little SAS Book: A Primer
This title belongs on every SAS programmer’s bookshelf. It’s a resource not just to get you started, but one you will return to as you continue to improve your programming skills.
The bottom line is that The Little SAS Book is still ideal for SAS beginners to jump start their SAS knowledge.
Covering everything from initial setup of the data libraries to complex topics like key statistical procedures and debugging your code, Delwiche and Slaughter are able to present the information in manageable, “bite sized” and easily accessible sections.
You can bet that the one book all SAS users – new or experienced – have on their shelves is The Little SAS Book.