Question

What is the value of X at the completion of the DATA step?

data test;
x=15;
do until(x>12);
x+1;
end;
run;
a. 12
b. 15
c. 16
d. unknown

Answer 1

The value of X at the completion of the DATA step is 15 because the code has a syntax error that prevents the loop from executing and altering the initial value of X, which is 15.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question is related to a SAS programming scenario in which a DATA step is provided, and the goal is to determine the value of variable X after the DATA step is executed.

The code snippet presents an iteration loop that continues until the condition (x > 12) is true. However, the loop contains a mistake because the correct syntax to increment the value of X is X = X + 1 or X + 1;, which is missing the assignment operator '='. Therefore, the loop does not alter the value of X, which remains at its initially assigned value of 15. As such, the intended loop never executes because the condition is met before the loop begins (x is already greater than 12).