SAS/AF software includes an enhanced SAS Component Language (formerly
called Screen Control Language). In addition to supporting all of the functionality
of Version 6 Screen Control Language, SCL now provides complete object-oriented
programming constructs. These constructs enable you to create entire object-oriented
applications in SCL or to create and script objects that are based on the
SAS Component Object Model.
SAS Component Language is also designed to support the "thin-client"
model, in which limited processing occurs on the client (which is often a
Web browser) and most of the object method calls execute on the server. The
enhanced SCL is essential for the server-side processing of the thin-client
model.
General enhancements include support for
- long (32-character) and mixed-case variable names and entry names,
as well as character strings up to 32K long
- an extended SCL programming model that removes the 32K memory
limitation
- primitive data types (numeric, character, list, and object) and
user-defined data types, including class type and interface type
- a DECLARE (DCL) statement for defining variable types and for
defining local variables
- true object-oriented development entirely in SCL, in which SAS/AF
classes can be defined by using the CLASS/ENDCLASS statements
- the SAS Component Object Model (SCOM), including a CREATESCL function
for converting a class entry to SCL class syntax and a SAVECLASS function
for storing SCL class syntax as a CLASS entry.
- "dot notation," which simplifies method calls and
the setting or retrieving of attribute values, and method implementation using
USECLASS and ENDUSECLASS statements
- enhanced method declaration, including defined method scope (public,
protected, or private) and multiple signatures for overloading methods
- return values from methods, using the RETURN=<type> statement in the
method declaration in addition to the
enhanced RETURN(expression) statement to return
the value
- new GUI function enhancements, including the MessageBox function
and new file dialogs (OpenSasFileDialog, SaveSasFileDialog, OpenEntryDialog,
and SaveEntryDialog)
- list functions for manipulating list items that are specified
as having an object data type.
Copyright 1999 by SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA. All rights reserved.
