What does the STOPOVER option do when processing data?

The STOPOVER option is associated with the INPUT statement in data step processing within SAS. When the STOPOVER option is utilized, it directs SAS to halt processing when it encounters the end of a record during data input. This halting means that if the INPUT statement cannot read an expected data value due to reaching the end of the line before all required inputs have been processed, SAS will stop further processing for that particular data line.

This behavior is crucial for data integrity, as it prevents SAS from attempting to fill in missing values with erroneous or unintended data from subsequent lines. The control it gives to the programmer ensures that data quality is maintained because it signals when something in the data doesn't conform to the expected structure.

In contrast, while other options hint at various forms of input handling or error processing, they do not accurately capture the specific functionality of the STOPOVER option in managing record end conditions. This reinforces the importance of understanding how input options control data reading operations in SAS programming.