What is the main purpose of the DATDIF function?

The main purpose of the DATDIF function is to find the days between two dates. This function calculates the difference in days between two specified date values, which is essential when performing date arithmetic, timeline analyses, or age calculations within datasets. The DATDIF function enables users to accurately measure the time span between events, allowing for various applications, such as age calculations, project deadlines, and elapsed times between transactions.

In SAS, understanding how to manipulate and assess date values is crucial, particularly when analyzing time series or any data that relies on temporal information. The use of DATDIF provides a straightforward approach to obtaining date intervals, helping streamline the processes of data analysis and reporting.