What would be the result of using the CLASS statement incorrectly in a SAS procedure?

Using the CLASS statement incorrectly in a SAS procedure can lead to incorrect subgroup summaries based on the provided variables. The CLASS statement is intended for defining categorical variables, and if it's misapplied—such as using a continuous variable inappropriately or misspelling the variable names—it can result in an unintended grouping of data. This misapplication leads to summaries that do not accurately reflect the intended analysis, resulting in misleading results.

When the CLASS statement is not functioning as intended, the grouped statistics calculated (like means, counts, or sums) will reflect incorrect combinations of the data. This can distort the insights one aims to draw from the analysis and may significantly impact the conclusions made based on the output. Therefore, understanding the proper use of the CLASS statement is crucial for obtaining accurate and reliable results in SAS procedures that summarize or analyze data based on categorical variables.