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sassoftware / sas-copilot

Issues tracker and feedback project for the SAS coding assistant
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Please note that this extension may be downloaded but it will only operate fully for participants in the SAS private preview who have a signed agreement with SAS.

Overview

The SAS Viya Copilot Extension for Visual Studio Code is a great tool to enhance your productivity as you program in SAS. SAS Viya Copilot uses Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) to add comments to a block of SAS code, write an explanation of a block of SAS code, and generate SAS code based on a block of comments in a SAS program.

We are presently undergoing internal testing. If you encounter any bugs or have suggestions, please report as issues.

Please contact jon.leirer@sas.com if you have any questions.

Tips

For the richest experience, including syntax highlighting, code completion, and many other features, use this extension along with the official SAS Extension

Specifying the API Key

An API key is required to use this extension. Please contact jon.leirer@sas.com if you are having trouble finding your API key.

When you run any of the commands (Add comments, Explain, or Generate code) for the first time, you are prompted to enter your API key.

Your API key can also be entered through the SAS Viya Copilot extension settings.

SAS Viya Copilot Extension Settings

Note: After you enter your API key the first time, the key is saved and used for additional commands until you explicitly clear the key. To clear the API key, press Ctrl (or Command for Mac users) + Shift + P, and run the SAS Copilot: Clear API key command.

Running the SAS Viya Copilot Extension

The SAS Viya Copilot extension includes commands to generate code, add comments, and explain code.

Generate Code

To generate SAS code:

  1. Open a SAS program file, or create a new file using SAS language mode.
  2. Position the cursor in a SAS comment statement or select a comment block. SAS comments start with /* and end with */.
  3. Click Generate code. The available generated code options will be displayed as gray inline code. Users will need to choose and select the desired code from these options.
Single Line Generate Code Example with two options

Note: To generate code from a longer, multi-line prompt, highlight entire prompt and then select "Generate Code"

Multi-Line Generate Code Example

Add Comments

To add comments to an existing block of SAS code:

  1. Open a SAS program file, or create a new file using SAS language mode.
  2. Select a block of SAS code and click Add comments. The selected code block is replaced with a block of commented code.
Add Comments Example

Explain Code

To generate an explanation of a block of SAS code:

  1. Open a SAS program file, or create a new file using SAS language mode.
  2. Select a block of SAS code and click Explain.
Explain Code Example

The explanation of the code block is displayed in the SAS Viya Copilot conversation pane on the left side of the application window.

Code Explanation in Chat Window

Alternative Ways to Run Commands

Context Menu

You can run any of the SAS Viya Copilot commands by right-clicking a selected block of code or comments and selecting a command from the context menu.

Context Menu Options

Visual Studio Code Command Palette

To run SAS Viya Copilot commands with the Command Palette:

  1. Select a block of code or comments.
  2. Select View > Command Palette or press Ctrl (or Command for Mac users) + Shift + P to open the Command Palette.
  3. Enter SAS Copilot in the search box to display the available commands and click the command that you want to use.