Statistical Analysis System (SAS) Programming Certification Practice Exam

When specifying a format via the FORMAT statement, what is the proper way to reference a format that was created?

1. Use the format name without any punctuation.

2. Append a dot (.) to the format name.

3. Enclose the format name in quotes.

4. Use a semicolon at the end of the format statement.

The correct answer is: Append a dot (.) to the format name.

When specifying a format via the FORMAT statement in SAS, the proper way to reference a user-defined format is to append a dot (.) to the format name. This convention is essential because it allows SAS to understand that you are referring to a specific format rather than a variable or other element within your dataset. The dot signifies the end of the format name and indicates that it is a format that SAS should apply. For example, if you have created a custom format named `myformat`, you would reference it in the FORMAT statement as `myformat.`. This syntax is critical both for clarity and for the correct operation of the code. Omitting the dot could lead to SAS interpreting the name incorrectly, resulting in an error or unexpected behavior. In addition, the other methods mentioned in the choices do not conform to the syntax required by SAS for referencing formats. For instance, using quotes would be incorrect, as formats should not be enclosed in quotes when referenced in the FORMAT statement. Similarly, a semicolon is used to end SAS statements but does not affect how the format itself is referenced. Lastly, simply writing the format name without any punctuation does not correctly indicate that it is a format; hence, it is not accurate for this context.