The top-level domain (TLD) .SAS is not recognized as a traditional domain. According to the current list of Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) TLDs, .SAS does not exist. IANA is responsible for the global coordination of the DNS Root, IP addressing, and other internet protocol resources, and maintains a document where they list the TLDs they recognize. The list includes a variety of Generic, Country code, Infrastructure recognized and Sponsored TLDs among others (Source: IANA).
However, in light of the modern system of domain name registration, generic top-level domains (gTLDs) have expanded significantly to include numerous vocabulary words and terms. This expansion has come about due to the efforts of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), which oversees the introduction and approval of new gTLDs. Despite this considerable growth, .SAS is not currently recognized as a new gTLD either (Source: ICANN).
The term “SAS” may alternatively refer to SAS Institute, a multinational developer of analytics software. The organization has been operational since 1976 and provides a range of software and services used by countless firms across the globe. However, the organization uses the .com rather than .SAS in their web address.
Straightforward and apparent examples of recognized TLDs include .com, .org, and .net. On the other hand, .edu is a top-level domain reserved for accredited degree-granting educational institutions, while .gov is for governmental entities in the United States. Meanwhile, country-code TLDs are reserved for specific countries and territories, such as .us for the United States, .uk for the United Kingdom, and .ca for Canada.
The coveted .com TLD has become globally recognized and frequently sought out by businesses owing to its universal recognition and authority. Conversely, .org was initially intended for organizations that didn’t fit under other gTLDs, though it’s no longer restricted in that sense and is used by various entities, implying an organizational nature. The .net TLD was designed for entities involved with the internet’s infrastructure. However, it’s now mostly used by other commercial and non-commercial entities due to a lack of restriction (Source: Versign – Domain Name Industry Brief).
In conclusion, while the .SAS TLD does not currently exist, a myriad of other TLDs, such as .com, .org, and .net are widely recognized and utilized for various purposes by organizations and individuals around the globe. But who knows what the future of TLDs holds? As internet usage expands and new naming possibilities arise, it’s plausible that .SAS could one day emerge as an officially recognized TLD through IANA and ICANN’s governance.
