Statistical Analysis System (SAS) Programming Certification Practice Exam

What is the main issue with the provided program regarding the variable Bonus?

1. There is a missing semicolon on the second line.

2. There is a missing semicolon on the third line.

3. The variables Bonus and Raise have the incorrect length.

4. The variable type for Bonus is incorrect.

The correct answer is: The variable type for Bonus is incorrect.

Choosing the option regarding the variable type for Bonus being incorrect suggests that the program is trying to use Bonus in a manner that is incompatible with its defined data type. In SAS, variables can be character or numeric, and the operations allowed on them depend on this classification. If Bonus is intended to hold numeric calculations (like bonuses calculated based on salary, for instance), it should be defined as a numeric variable. If Bonus is defined as a character variable but is used in arithmetic operations or numeric comparisons later in the program, this would cause errors or unexpected behavior. Therefore, ensuring that Bonus is defined as the correct type aligns with its intended use in the SAS program. The other options, while potentially indicating issues, do not directly address the core functionality or usage of the Bonus variable in relation to its type. A missing semicolon is a syntax issue, while variable length generally pertains to the amount of storage allocated and does not directly impact the correctness of arithmetic operations or logical comparisons associated with variable types. Hence, the focus should be on the nature of the variable itself, thus affirming the correctness of the chosen answer.