What Is a Statistical Analysis System?

• The term "statistical analysis system" is used to refer to software that

allows the user to perform statistical analysis on data sets. Another
commonly-used term for this type of software is statistical programming
language. When capitalized, Statistical Analysis System (SAS) is also the
proper name of one of the most well-known software packages of this type.

• A statistical analysis system provides the automation and processing power

needed to facilitate the manipulation and analysis of data sets. These
packages facilitate computation of both descriptive and inductive statistics.
Commonly-used descriptive statistical computations include calculation of
central tendency, frequency distribution, and association. Inductive
statistical analysis that can be performed with a statistical analysis system
includes statistical hypothesis testing, such as the t-test, the z-test, and the
chi-square test. Many statistical analysis systems also support other tests,
such as analysis of variance (ANOVA) and its relatives, and various types of
regression testing.

• Statistical analysis systems are used in a wide variety of settings. Natural

and social scientists in academic and commercial research settings are the
most frequent users of these types of software packages. Businesses may
also use a statistical analysis system for operations research, project
management, and other business intelligence applications.
• With some software packages, the command-line interface (CLI) is more
often used, while others primarily feature a graphical user interface (GUI),
often with drop-down menus. Most software packages provide both CLI
and GUI capabilities, although the user may not be able to access all
features from both interfaces. While a GUI is more familiar for non-
technical users, using a CLI to create programs enables easier replication of
analyses.

• Many statistical software packages make use of fourth-generation

programming languages (4GL). Due to their higher level of abstraction and
more natural syntax, data manipulation and analysis in 4GL is quicker and
easier than in lower-level programming languages. Before the development
of 4GL, computer-assisted statistical analysis was cumbersome and
required greater programming expertise.

• A large number of statistical analysis software applications with varied

interfaces, capabilities, and extensions are available. Proprietary software
applications remain popular, but many open-source software applications
are also widely used. Virtually all statistical software packages will run on
Windows® operating systems, and most also have Macintosh® and Linux®
versions. A few applications are compatible with Unix® operating systems
as well.