SAS can be used interactively or in batch mode on the Information Technology systems. Interactive use must take place on the system where the software is installed. Batch mode access can occur from any system. This document covers batch access on the OpenVMS systems. The process of running a program is called a job.
Jobs can be interactive or batch.
Interactive processing, assumes you will be waiting and responding during the processing. Batch process in mode allows you to send your program to the computer and then do other work on the same system, or even turn the terminal off and go to lunch, while your program completes its processing. In batch mode, programs are submitted to a batch job queue, which sees that each program is run in its turn. If you are using SAS code written for you by someone else, you may need to use that person as a resource if you encounter SAS errors. Use the appropriate references to other files containing data, if necessary.