SAS in that context here, is Software and is called the SAS System.

The SAS acronym originally stood for Statistical Analysis System, now it is the SAS System and includes software components on data management, statistics, graphics, report-writing, economics, etc., called SAS Components, with names like Base SAS, SAS/STAT, SAS/GRAPH, SAS/ETS, etc..

Each SAS component is comprised of a bundle of SAS procedures which can be used within an SAS program to compute and analyze own data. A programming development environment is also included within the SAS System (Base component, Macro Facility, Screen Control Language). The SAS System is available in any computing environment.

The SAS System is available now in version 6.12 (e.g. for Windows 3.11, Windows 95, Windows NT Workstation/Server) and comes from SAS Institute Cary, North Carolina, USA which has its European headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany.

Hotline to SAS Institute Inc. in  Heidelberg, Germany: 06221/415200

Currently, there's a new SAS component in beta-testing named 'SAS/IntrNet^TM' for applications via Internet.

The installed SAS System must be renewed annually. The SETINIT procedure is to apply with valid setinit information. The local SAS site representative dispenses valid setinit information. In the future, it will be an option to license the SAS System on the Web.

to run the SAS System version 6.11 for Windows. On other platforms ?
And the SAS System version 6.12 for Windows ? Look also there, to find out what are the needs for the SAS System on personal computers and UNIX based systems.

What's new in version 6.12 ?