Art Carpenter’s newest book, Carpenter’s Guide to Innovative SAS Techniques, offers advanced SAS programmers an all-in-one programming reference that includes advanced topics not easily found outside the depths of SAS documentation or more advanced training classes.

No matter how you approach the use of SAS software, the techniques provided in this book will make your programming easier and your programs more efficient.

We asked Art to send us three of his top tips for advanced programmers. Here’s what he said:

1) In the DATA step you really should understand the concepts surrounding the use of the DOW loop to read data. By taking control of the DATA step’s implied loop, you can not only gain efficiency in the reading of the data, but also flexibility in the way you solve programming problems.

2) Did you know you are not restricted to the use of a single SET statement in the DATA step? Among other things, the use of multiple SET statements gives you the ability to perform look-ahead and look-back reads.

3) The Display Manager is highly customizable. Although many programmers are content to use it ‘as it is,’ productivity can skyrocket by knowing how to manipulate the tool bars, how to add items to the pull down menus, how to automatically insert text into the editor, and how to execute entire programs using a single keystroke.

Carpenter shows readers how to do all of the above and more. Read a free sample chapter or order your copy today.

In the meantime, if you want to learn from the master in person, you’ve got some upcoming opportunities:

• Art will be giving a SAS Talks Webinar on “Innovative Techniques: Doing More with Loops and Arrays” on Thursday April 12.
• He’ll also be at SAS Global Forum this year, presenting a Sunday seminar based on "Innovative Tips and Techniques: Doing More in the DATA Step"; a HOW on customizing the Display Manager; and a Code Doctor session during the conference.