Question

What does a forward slash (/) indicate when used in an INPUT statement?

a. Load the next file in the input buffer.
b. Load the next field in the input buffer.
c. Load the next record in the input buffer.
d. none of the above

Answer 1

The forward slash (/) in an INPUT statement signals the program to load the next record in the input buffer, crucial for handling multi-line data input, the correct option is C).

Step-by-step explanation:

When used in an INPUT statement, a forward slash (/) indicates option c. Load the next record in the input buffer. This character is used as a pointer in data step programming to mark the transition to a new row or line of data.

Understanding the functionality of the forward slash in an INPUT statement is crucial for managing data input in programs. For example, if you have a dataset where multiple lines of data should be read for one observation, the forward slash helps the program know when to proceed to the next observation.