What types of variables can you define in SAS?

In SAS, you can define both character and numeric variables. Character variables are used to store text data, such as names, addresses, or any sequence of characters, while numeric variables store numerical data that can be used in calculations. The flexibility to define both types of variables allows for a variety of data manipulation and analysis within SAS.

Character variables are handled distinctly from numeric variables, with different storage requirements and processing methods. For example, when you create a data set, you specify the type of each variable, which then influences how the data is sorted, analyzed, or reported.

Other options represent limited views of the variable types in SAS. By stating only character or only numeric, they overlook the fundamental design of SAS, which accommodates a broad spectrum of data types, ensuring the tool can handle diverse data-related needs in various programming contexts. Logical variables, which typically represent true/false values, are not explicitly defined as a separate data type in SAS, further reinforcing that both character and numeric types are vital.