Standard deviation (SD) is a measure of how varied is the data in a data set. Mathematically it measures how distant or close are each value to the mean value of a data set. A standard deviation value close to 0 indicates that the data points tend to be very close to the mean of the data set and a high standard deviation indicates that the data points are spread out over a wider range of values

In SAS the SD values is measured using PROC MEAN as well as PROC SURVEYMEANS.

Using PROC MEANS

To measure the SD using proc means we choose the STD option in the PROC step. It brings out the SD values for each numeric variable present in the data set.

Syntax

The basic syntax for calculating standard deviation in SAS is −

PROC means DATA = dataset STD;

Following is the description of the parameters used −

Dataset − is the name of the dataset.

Example

In the below example we create the data set CARS1 form the CARS data set in the SASHELP library. We choose the STD option with the PROC means step.

PROC SQL;
create table CARS1 as
SELECT make, type, invoice, horsepower, length, weight
FROM
SASHELP.CARS
WHERE make in ('Audi','BMW')
;
RUN;

proc means data = CARS1 STD;
run;

When we execute the above code it gives the following output −

sas 50

Using PROC SURVEYMEANS

This procedure is also used for measurement of SD along with some advance features like measuring SD for categorical variables as well as provide estimates in variance.

Syntax

The syntax for using PROC SURVEYMEANS is −

PROC SURVEYMEANS options statistic-keywords ;
BY variables ;
CLASS variables ;
VAR variables ;

Following is the description of the parameters used −

BY − indicates the variables used to create groups of observations.
CLASS − indicates the variables used for categorical variables.
VAR − indicates the variables for which SD will be calculated.

Example

The below example describes the use of class option which creates the statistics for each of the values in the class variable.

proc surveymeans data = CARS1 STD;
class type;
var type horsepower;
ods output statistics = rectangle;
run;
proc print data = rectangle;
run;

When we execute the above code it gives the following output −

sas 51

Using BY option

The below code gives example of BY option. In it the result is grouped for each value in the BY option.

Example

proc surveymeans data = CARS1 STD;
var horsepower;
BY make;
ods output statistics = rectangle;
run;
proc print data = rectangle;
run;

When we execute the above code it gives the following output −

Result for make = “Audi”

sas 51 1

Result for make = “BMW”

sas 52

So, this brings us to the end of blog. This Tecklearn ‘How to Perform Standard Deviation in SAS’ blog helps you with commonly asked questions if you are looking out for a job in SAS. If you wish to learn SAS and build a career in Data Analytics domain, then check out our interactive, SAS Training for SAS BASE Certification Training, that comes with 24*7 support to guide you throughout your learning period. Please find the link for course details:

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Introduction to SAS

Introduction to SAS
Installation of SAS
SAS windows
Working with data sets
Walk through of SAS windows like output, search, editor etc

SAS Enterprise Guide

How to read and subset the data sets
SET Statement
Infile and Infile Options
SAS Format -Format Vs Informat

SAS Operators and Functions

Using Variables
Defining and using KEEP and DROP statements
Output Statement
Retain Statement
SUM Statement

Advanced SAS Procedures

PROC Import
PROC Print
Data Step Vs Proc
Deep Dive into Proc

Customizing Datasets

SAS Arrays
Useful SAS Functions
PUT/INPUT Functions
Date/Time Functions
Numeric Functions
Character Functions

SAS Format and SAS Graphs

SAS Format statements
Understanding PROC GCHART, various graphs, bar charts: pie, bar

Sorting Techniques

NODUP
NODUKEY
NODUP Vs NODUKEY

Data Transformation Function

Character functions, numeric functions and converting variable type
Use functions in data transformation

Deep Dive into SAS Procedures, Functions and Statements

Find Function
Scan Function
MERGE Statement
BY Statement
Joins
Procedures Vs Function
Where Vs If
What is Missover
NMISS
CMISS

PROC SQL

SELECT statement
Sorting of Data
CASE expression
Other SELECT statement clauses
JOINS and UNIONS

Using SAS Macros

Benefits of SAS Macros
Macro Variables
Macro Code Constituents and Macro Step
Positional Parameters to Macros

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