What type of data will the LENGTH statement affect?

The LENGTH statement in SAS is designed to specify the length of variables, and it can be applied to both character and numerical data types. For character variables, the LENGTH statement determines the maximum number of bytes that can be used to store that variable. For instance, if you set the length of a character variable to 20, it can hold up to 20 characters.

For numerical variables, the LENGTH statement can also have an effect, although it is less common to specify length for numeric variables. In SAS, the storage of numeric types (like integers or floating-point numbers) is typically based on the type of numeric data and the amount of memory allocated by SAS for those numbers, which can adapt dynamically. However, the LENGTH statement can still influence aspects like the precision of the numeric data, particularly when utilizing formats to control how numeric data is displayed.

Thus, when considering the implications of the LENGTH statement, it can affect both character and numerical data, making the correct choice encompass both types.