SAS Certification Prep Guide: Base Programming for SAS 9, Third Edition

Chapter 6: Understanding DATA Step Processing

1. Which of the following is not created during the compilation phase?

   1. the data set descriptor
   2. the first observation
   3. the program data vector
   4. the _N_ and _ERROR_ automatic variables

   Correct answer: b

   During the compilation phase, the program data vector is created. The program data vector includes the two automatic variables _N_ and _ERROR_. The descriptor portion of the new SAS data set is created at the end of the compilation phase. The descriptor portion includes the name of the data set, the number of observations and variables, and the names and attributes of the variables. Observations are not written until the execution phase.
2. During the compilation phase, SAS scans ...