SAS® History: Coming from an image-processing background, I was familiar with the complexity of array processing using conventional software technology like C++. SAS opened my eyes to large-scale data processing and analysis. When I first started learning SAS, I had a “light-bulb moment” when I realized that the SAS DATA step is really just an implied FOR loop, a language which I was comfortable working with. From that point on, I became very interested in SAS, and dived into learning its broad capabilities in dealing with all kinds of data.

My first project that I worked on was to recreate an existing quantitative stock ranking system in SAS. The old system was written in APL, an old programming language that is archaic: Its code looks more like a collection of mathematical formulas. My first task was to decipher a piece of APL code and translate that to SAS. During the project, I learned from my colleagues that the SAS DATA step, PROC SQL and the macro language are indispensable building blocks in SAS. I also found that the help documentation, the online support resources and the user forums are also very useful for SAS development.

My next task was to systematically reconcile the old and new systems' data and outputs. Using a combination of PROC COMPARE and MERGE functions, we were able to build an automatic reconciliation utility for diagnosing the differences between the two systems. The EXCEL libname engine was also critical for formatting the results in a desired template in Excel, which I learned from a TASS (Toronto Area SAS Society) meeting!

My most challenging and rewarding task in the project was to create the multiprocessing structure for the system. The SAS SUGI papers on the MP Connect module and the MP Connect user guide were key resources for the successful completion of the task. With MP, the system became 60 percent more efficient! It was a testimonial to the true power of SAS when it is harnessed diligently. We are proud to say that the new system is now successfully in production and will be completely replacing the old system.

About my hobbies and in my spare time: I’m certainly not programming! I like participating in sports: basketball, swimming and table tennis. Although I am a complete beginner, I really like skiing. While I lived in Vancouver for 10 years, I sadly never really took advantage of Whistler until very recently! Music has always been a passion of mine, and I find playing it especially fun. I've been playing violin since I was 6, but now it's demoralizing to realize how much my skills have deteriorated without practicing, much like programming!

One thing every SAS programmer should know: The LOG is your best friend in SAS! But remember to turn on the debug options before running the code. Check out the following paper: http://www2.sas.com/proceedings/sugi26/p054-26.pdf