Which of the following statements is true regarding the hash iterator (hiter) object?

The statement that a hash iterator (hiter) object must have its associated hash object declared and defined before the iterator can be declared is true. In SAS, a hash object is a data structure that allows for efficient data retrieval and storage in memory. The iterator object is designed to traverse the entries in this hash object.

When you declare the hiter object, it requires a specific reference to the hash object it will iterate over. Without an established hash object, the hiter would not have any data structure to work with or iterate through. This sequence ensures that the iterator operates correctly on a defined dataset. It’s crucial for resource management and efficient operation within the SAS programming environment.

In contrast, the other statements are incorrect based on the properties and limitations of hiter objects. While the hash object provides a way to access and retrieve entries efficiently, it does not point to an external SAS table. The iterator allows traversal in both ascending and descending order, thus indicating that flexibility exists beyond just ascending direction. Additionally, while traversing the hiter object, it operates primarily through the data entries, and while accessing keys is viable, it does not function separately for keys and data components in the manner suggested.