Statistical Analysis System (SAS) Programming Certification Practice Exam 2025 - Free SAS Practice Questions and Study Guide

The DATA step is a fundamental building block in SAS programming that is primarily responsible for data manipulation and dataset creation. When a DATA step executes successfully, it means that SAS has processed the instructions correctly and has managed to create a new dataset as specified in the program. This dataset will typically include any transformations, computations, or assignments defined within the DATA step.

Choosing this option highlights the end goal of the DATA step: to generate a specific dataset from the source data, which may involve filtering observations, creating new variables, or applying conditionals. If there are no errors during the execution, the dataset is formed successfully and is stored in the designated library or location for further analysis or processing.

This understanding reinforces the idea that the functionality of the DATA step is crucial in defining how raw data is converted into usable formats for reporting, analysis, or further processing within SAS applications.