What is the primary purpose of a temporary array in SAS?

The primary purpose of a temporary array in SAS is indeed to store values that will be used in calculations only within a data step. Temporary arrays are created for use within a single data step and do not retain their values or structure once the data step is completed. This characteristic makes them particularly useful for intermediate calculations, transformations, or to hold values that are needed only during the processing of that specific data step.

When working with temporary arrays, you can manipulate data efficiently by keeping it in memory without creating additional permanent datasets or columns. This allows for faster computations and cleaner code, as the data manipulated in a temporary array does not clutter the final output dataset. As soon as the data step ends, the array and its content are cleared from memory.

In contrast, other options may suggest functionality not associated with temporary arrays. For example, creating columns saved in the final dataset is typically the role of permanent arrays or direct variable assignments in the data step. Automatic output of dataset rows is managed by the data step itself, while indexing for efficient data retrieval is a separate operation applied at the dataset level rather than within the context of a temporary array. Thus, the correct understanding is that temporary arrays are specifically for temporary storage and calculation within a single data step context.