[R] New utility: sas2r

[Frank E Harrell Jr]

On Thu, 1 Apr 2004 07:19:49 +0200
Rolf Poalis <rolf at biostatistics.dk> wrote:

> Dear R users,
> 
> Biostatistics Denmark would like to annouce the availability of the
> new utility: sas2R --- a SAS to R parser.
> 
> For almost 40 years SAS has been the primary tool for statisticians
> worldwide and its easy-to-learn syntax, unsurpassed graphical system,
> powerful macro language and recent graphical user interfaces have made
> SAS the number one statistical software choice for both beginners and
> advanced users.

I think this is an excellent idea although one could argue with
"unsurpassed graphical system" (name a system that is worse at this) and
with "powerful macro language".  What is really needed is a parser for
complex DATA steps, as more analysts have problems recoding and
manipulating data than with figuring out the syntax for lm, glm, etc. 
Does sas2R correctly handle complex DATA steps with MERGE, SET, OUTPUT,
IF, etc.?

---
Frank E Harrell Jr   Professor and Chair           School of Medicine
                     Department of Biostatistics   Vanderbilt University