To create temporary array elements, which keyword is used?

The correct choice for creating temporary array elements in SAS is the keyword "TEMPORARY." This keyword allows you to define an array that exists only for the duration of the DATA step in which it is defined. Temporary arrays are useful when you want to perform computations or manipulate data without storing the results in a permanent structure.

When you declare an array with the TEMPORARY keyword, it means that the elements of the array will not be allocated space in the data set created by the DATA step. Instead, they exist in memory only while that step is executing, which is efficient for data manipulation tasks that do not require the results to persist beyond the step.

Using temporary arrays can help improve performance and reduce memory usage, especially when working with large datasets or when the array does not need to be retained after processing. This characteristic of temporary arrays makes them a valuable feature in SAS programming, allowing for flexible and efficient data handling within the scope of a DATA step.