When defining a multi-dimensional array in SAS, how are elements accessed?

When working with multi-dimensional arrays in SAS, accessing elements requires using the array name along with the correct number of numeric indices that correspond to the dimensions of the array. In a multi-dimensional array, each dimension can be thought of as an axis in a grid-like structure where elements are organized.

For example, consider a two-dimensional array that might represent a matrix with rows and columns. To access a specific element in this array, you would need to specify both a row index and a column index. This indexing allows SAS to effectively navigate through the rows and columns of the array to retrieve or manipulate the desired element.

By using two numeric indices, SAS can directly pinpoint any specific element within the multi-dimensional structure, ensuring precise access to data stored in the array. This functionality enables efficient programming practices, particularly when handling complex data structures or performing operations across multiple dimensions of data.

Other forms of indexing, such as using a single numeric index, a character index, or a variable name, do not align with how multi-dimensional arrays are structured and accessed within SAS, making them inappropriate choices in this context.