Blogging about all things SAS

So after playing with EG 4.2 for a few days in anger I have to say I like it.

Things I like:

• The new folder structure that 9.2 Metadata introduced, works a treat in EG to save projects, files etc
• New layout is good, especially the window with folder view, server view, task view etc in one
• The conditional logic is way cool!
• The status bar that gives you more details on what is running is great
• Function level security means its easier to roll out in a controlled way
• The project auto recover has saved me a few times already
• The prompting framework rocks
• Use of SAS/Access for PC file formats (if licensed) makes things faster
• Query wizard joins now clearly explain inner, left, right and outer joins
• Raft of additions around querying aggregated values, as well as detailed records
• Accessing Information Maps works fully, no more limited functionality
• Task templates rock, you can create all your graphs automatically using your default corporate styles/themes
• The kill button actually works, invaluable!

Things I still can’t get to grips with:

• Double clicking on a node opens the result table , not the query, still haven’t got used to that
  (update from Chris @ SAS “hold the Ctrl key when you double-click on a task/query node and EG will open the task dialog instead of the results.”)
• Tabs are gone and yes pulldown is better use of screen realestate (especially for big projects) but tabs were easy.
• F4 to get back to process flow view is now only works dependent on what you are viewing
• There is now a filter and sort option and a query options, almost got used to it though

Things that suck:

• Dependent prompts don’t work (create a Stored processes and they do though)

The team from SAS NZ did a great preso on whats new in SAS EG 4.2 at SUNZ this year, copy of overview paper here:

http://www.slideshare.net/sunznz/sas-enterprise-guide-whats-new