How to configure TextPad for running SAS ?

JKlein · Post by **JKlein** » Mon May 19, 2014 11:23 am

Hello everybody,

I am a beginner with TextPad and I search the way to configure TextPad in order to run SAS codes.
I know this is by editing an external tool, but I have a problem with the "parameters" box.

What should I write into it ?

Thanks

JKlein · Post by **JKlein** » Mon May 26, 2014 1:43 pm

I am a bit disappointed, thought that was an easy question for community

Still nobody knowing about that ? Or maybe, my english is inunderstandable

?

ak47wong · Post by **ak47wong** » Mon May 26, 2014 2:49 pm

Have you looked in the help file, specifically under How To > Customize Settings > User Tool Properties ?

JKlein · Post by **JKlein** » Mon Jun 02, 2014 8:29 am

Yes, I did but I did not find a SAS "How To" but general tips and I do not understand how to fill the parameter box in my case

Anyway thanks for answering

ben_josephs · Post by **ben_josephs** » Mon Jun 02, 2014 11:24 am

It might be that the contributors here are unfamiliar with the SAS to which you refer. I, for one, have nothing but my suspicion that it has little to do with either Scandinavian Airlines or the Special Air Service regiment of the British Army.

You are not giving much help to those who may be able and willing to help you.

What parameters do you normally supply to the program you want to run?

JKlein · Post by **JKlein** » Mon Jun 02, 2014 12:24 pm

Hum when I read the whole discussion, I have to agree with you ! I am not very clear, I guess that my attention is mainly focused on english language and not on what I am really saying ^^'

SAS is a Stats software. You have an editor in it, you select the part of code you want to run, you just push a button and this is it ! So, I do not really now what parameters I supply, this is kind of automatic !

I asked this question on SAS community forum, and they told me they do not now anything about TextPad

! It is difficult to have someone who knows how to do the link between these two softwares.

I found this on this website :
http://homes.ori.org/~keiths/Files/Tips ... html#Tools

Menu Text: SAS System
Note: On windows NT or XP: Choose "Add DOS Command"
Command: cmd.exe (grayed, not editable)
Parameters: Start "SAS Program" /low "{SASfolder}\Sas.exe"
$File -NOSPLASH -CONFIG "{SASfolder}\SASV8.CFG"
Initial Folder: $FileDir
boxes: [X] Run minimized; [X] Close DOS window on exit

but I have an error when I try it

Thanks for answering and making me more precise about my question

ben_josephs · Post by **ben_josephs** » Mon Jun 02, 2014 12:54 pm

The link you gave is wrong. It should be
http://homes.ori.org/~keiths/Files/Tips ... html#Tools

"I have an error" is not helpful. What error do you have?

You did replace {SASfolder} with your SAS installation folder, didn't you?

JKlein · Post by **JKlein** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 8:48 am

Error corrected. On this website, it is written to put in the parameters box :
Start "SAS Program" /low "{SASfolder}\Sas.exe"$File -NOSPLASH -CONFIG"{SASfolder}\SASV8.CFG"

I tried : "C:\Program Files\SASHome\SASFoundation\9.3\Sas.exe"$File -NOSPLASH -CONFIG "C:\Program Files\SASHome\SASFoundation\9.3\SASV9.CFG"

So yes, I replaced {SASfolder}. Moreover, I have a SAS9.CFG file instead of SAS8.CFG because I have a version 9.
The error I have in cmd window is in my langage and I'm affraid I have to try to translate it

. It says : "the folder cannot be found. wrong syntax file name, directory".

I may misunderstood the TextPad syntax to specify the folder
Hope that this is quite clear now

ben_josephs · Post by **ben_josephs** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 9:05 am

You appear to have omitted the space in front of $File .

JKlein · Post by **JKlein** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 12:15 pm

Yes ! Now, it works, no error any more.
I have another problem which is not related to this one : I don't see my program's outputs, but I think this issue implies to know well how does SAS work... So, it is okay for me here

Thanks for all Ben

ben_josephs · Post by **ben_josephs** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 12:34 pm

Is this a console program? You can't capture the output of GUI programs.

Did you select Capture output?

JKlein · Post by **JKlein** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 2:45 pm

Yes, this is a console program. Is that the reason why I don't have a "Capture output" box in my tool configuration menu ?

ben_josephs · Post by **ben_josephs** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 9:25 pm

No. The Capture output check box should always be there. It should be selectable if the command is a console program, and non-selectable (greyed) otherwise. cmd.exe is a console program. So if that check box isn't present or isn't selectable I have no idea why.

Which version of TextPad are you using?

JKlein · Post by **JKlein** » Wed Jun 04, 2014 8:21 am

This is an old one : 5.4.2 version.

I have five selectable options :

- Run minimized
- Close DOS window on exit
- Save documents before the start
- Waiting for parameters
- Capture messages

Do you think I should use the last version of TextPad ? This one has been advised to me by my boss because he doesn't know how to select blocs in the new one

ben_josephs · Post by **ben_josephs** » Wed Jun 04, 2014 8:32 am

Did you try selecting Capture messages?

Yes, I think you should use the latest version of TextPad. As far as I can remember, the method of selecting blocks hasn't changed.