I am tempted to submit a SGF paper on how to use Language Integrated Query (LINQ) with SAS data. The question will be why? Why use a feature of .NET for querying vs using SAS to do the same thing?

I think my reasoning will come down to what Richard alludes to which is that we get Intellisense and data-binding and therefore the editor (Visual Studios) guides us as we code. Is that enough reason to use LINQ for queries against SAS data? Not sure, but I have a few months to mull it over.

LINQ, btw, is wickedly cool and very powerful. Worth checking it out and just seeing what it does.

Alan

Alan Churchill Savian www.savian.net

-----Original Message----- From: SAS(r) Discussion [mailto:SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU] On Behalf Of Arthur Tabachneck Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2008 3:54 PM To: SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU Subject: Re: Survey: Who uses keyboard abbreviations

Richard,

I may be exhibiting bad citizenship, but I've never sent (to my recollection at least) a recommendation to suggest@sas.com, and probably never will.

However, through posts here and numerous email and in-person conversations I've had with SAS staff, I have offered my opinion of what would increase the software's useability, ease of use, capability and saleability.

Hopefully, Jim Goodnight hasn't gotten so far away from the actual development and refinement issues that our rants (however we choose to send them) won't go unnoticed.

If they care to talk with either of us, or any of the others on or not on the list, I'm sure that they already know how to contact us.

And, yes, I do agree with your recommendation(s).

Art --------- On Sun, 17 Feb 2008 07:57:30 -0500, Richard A. DeVenezia <rdevenezia@WILDBLUE.NET> wrote:

>Arthur Tabachneck wrote: >> In case any birdies are listening, I would like to see SAS >> incorporate a search mechanism within the list of >> macros/abbreviations. Since one can also store a description, as >> well as the desired abbreviation, such a search capability could end >> up being quite powerful. > >What we really need is a data/session aware intellisense. Intellisense for >the language completion aids and data aware for suggesting table name, >variable name and other meta-context completion. > >In a 2007 fall users group conference, at the Futures Forum, I asked what >was the prospect of beefing up the Enhanced Editor (EE)with these sorts of >features. The muted reply was that there were little or no plans on >updating EE. I was pretty shocked to hear such a statement. As customers >you can tell SAS your desires (suggest@sas.com) or disgust (walking away). > > >Richard A. DeVenezia >http://www.devenezia.com/