Statistical Analysis System (SAS) Programming Certification Practice Exam

By default, what does PROC FREQ create tables for?

1. character variables

2. numeric variables

3. both character and numeric variables

4. none: variables must always be specified

The correct answer is: both character and numeric variables

PROC FREQ is a procedure in SAS that is primarily used for analyzing the frequency distribution of categorical variables. By default, it automatically creates frequency tables for both character and numeric variables present in the dataset, unless specified otherwise. When using PROC FREQ without explicitly defining which variables to analyze, it recognizes and processes all types of variables. This means that it generates frequency counts for character variables, such as categories or labels, as well as for numeric variables that can often represent categorical data (like age groups or survey responses converted to numbers). The procedural flexibility is a key aspect, allowing users to obtain a comprehensive overview of both kinds of variables directly. This capability is especially useful in exploratory data analysis, as it saves time and encourages a broader initial data review before further specific analyses are conducted. Understanding that PROC FREQ considers both variable types enhances one's ability to leverage this procedure effectively in various statistical tasks.