What type of variable list would you use for a specific prefix in SAS?

In SAS, when you want to specify a group of variables that share a common prefix, using a name prefix list is the appropriate method. A name prefix list allows you to select multiple variables that start with the same characters, which is particularly useful for managing datasets with numerous related variables.

For instance, if your dataset contains variables like "age1," "age2," and "age3," specifying "age:" in your variable list would include all of those variables. This functionality significantly simplifies the coding process by reducing the need to type out each variable individually, enhancing readability and efficiency in your data manipulation.

Other options like name range lists, which specify variables within a certain numeric range or position, and numbered range lists, which deal with variables based on their order in the dataset, do not specifically target variables by their common prefix. Special SAS name lists would also not fulfill this requirement, as they encompass unique categories related to SAS naming conventions and attributes rather than a way to group variables by a prefix. Hence, for the specific task of selecting variables by a prefix, a name prefix list is the ideal choice.