What is an array in SAS?

An array in SAS is indeed a temporary grouping of variables for manipulation. Arrays allow you to refer to multiple variables using a single name, which simplifies the process of performing operations on those variables collectively. When you define an array, you can perform calculations, transformations, and other operations on all the variables in that array without individually referencing each one. This can significantly reduce the amount of code you need to write and improve the efficiency of your data processing tasks.

For example, if you have several numeric variables representing scores, you can create an array for those scores and iterate through them to calculate the average score or apply a transformation. This ability to act on groups of variables at once is a powerful feature of SAS arrays, making them useful for data manipulation and analysis.

The other options do not accurately describe what an array is. A fixed set of datasets refers to the organization of data but does not capture the essence of an array, which is variable-oriented. A type of statistical function incorrectly associates arrays with functional operations rather than their purpose in organizing data. Lastly, a method to sort data misrepresents the role of an array, as sorting is a separate operation that does not inherently involve the concept of an array.