Which of the following is NOT true about variable attributes in SAS?

The correct choice highlights that variable names do not automatically change during assignment in SAS. In SAS, when you assign a variable, the name given to the variable remains constant unless explicitly modified using specific features like the RENAME statement. The default behavior during a data step is to maintain the variable name as defined in the DATA statement.

Regarding the other statements, permanent attributes being assigned at the start of a DATA step is indeed accurate, as variable attributes such as type and length can be set at the beginning of the DATA step. The statement about attributes being specified only for the duration of a PROC step can also be true; attributes such as formats and labels can be defined in PROC steps and don't affect the variable's overall definition in the dataset itself. Additionally, labels and formats not being automatically assigned to variables is correct because they need to be defined explicitly in SAS. Thus, the focus on variable name consistency in the correct option clarifies the distinction between assignment and the variable identification process in SAS programming.