When is a SAS variable considered to be temporary?

A SAS variable is considered to be temporary primarily when it is stored in the WORK library. The WORK library is a special temporary storage area where datasets and other objects are stored for the duration of a SAS session. Anything created in the WORK library is automatically deleted at the end of the session, making it a perfect example of temporary data storage.

While a variable created in a data step may also be temporary, it is specifically its location—within the WORK library—that defines its temporal nature. A variable assigned a format does not change its temporary status; formats simply dictate how data is displayed or interpreted without affecting the underlying data persistence.

Thus, the concept of temporary variables in SAS is closely tied to their existence in the WORK library rather than the steps taken to create them or any formatting applied. This makes it clear that the key characteristic stems from the storage mechanism utilized.