Publications Details

Analyzing product test data in a relational database using SAS software

Orman, J.L.

SAS software is being used to analyze product test data stored in an INGRES relational database. The database has been implemented at Allied-Signal in Kansas City on a Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) VAX computer. The INGRES application development has been a joint project between Sandia National Laboratories and Allied-Signal. Application screens have been developed so that the user can query the database for selected data. Fourth generation language procedures are used to retrieve all data requested. FORTRAN and VAX/VMS DCL (DIGITAL Control Language) procedures are invoked from the application to create SAS data sets and dynamically build SAS programs that are executed to build custom reports or graphically display the retrieved test data along with control and specification limits. A retrieval screen has also been developed which invokes SAS software to calculate the mean and standard deviation of the retrieved data. These parameters are passed back into the application for display and may then be used as an aid in setting new control limits for future test runs. Screens have been developed to provide an interface for the user to select from a library of SAS programs, edit the selected program, and run the program with a user-defined SAS data set as input. This paper will give a brief description of the application screens and provide details of how information is passed between the application and SAS programs.